Triple A Offers Tips to Save Money on Fuel
AAA, the nation’s largest motor club offered several techniques to drive greener for those who cannot afford to go out and buy the latest hybrid or EV. The first of these tips is to merely change your driving style. “Imagine there are eggs under the pedal,” AAA advises. By easing off the gas and brake pedals, you expend less gas. Rather than coming to immediate jerking stops and starts, coast to red lights. Another tip is to slow down because every five miles over 60mph is an extra $0.24 per gallon, according to the Department of Energy. Maintaining the car is also important to prevent engine build up and excessive fuel emissions. One final tip offered was to plan ahead and schedule trips and errands in a way to avoid extra driving. Stop by the supermarket on your way home from work rather than taking an extra trip.
DOE and Google Partner to Fund EV Infrastructure
The Department of Energy announced $5 million in funding for the deployment of additional EV infrastructure and charging stations. Energy Secretary Steven Chu is partnering with Google and about 80 EV shareholders to help reach the Obama Administration’s efforts to reduce foreign oil imports by a third by 2025. Local governments and private companies will be required to apply for funding by developing plans and incentive programs or other initiatives that encourage electric vehicle adoption.
Solar Thermal Plant Underway in California
A solar thermal power plant in Blythe, California received the largest ever amount offered to a solar project from the Department of Energy. The $2.1 billion loan will support two solar thermal units with a combined capacity of 484-MW. The plant will generate enough energy to power 95,000 homes annually.
Energy Efficient Family Shares Tips
Three months after they received a Net-Zero Energy Efficient home on Extreme Makeover Home Edition, the Hurston family has begun using the money they saved to support Haiti relief efforts. Siemens donated many of the technologies and materials for the home’s solar photovoltaic system and wind turbine. The custom built and decorated four bedroom home generates enough power to power itself in the daylight and excess electricity produced offsets any energy consumed at night, making it a net-zero energy home. In honor of Earth Day, the family shared some of their experiences and tips for saving energy such as turning all unused lights off and not turning the AC on too cool.
Biorefinery Under Construction in Michigan
Cobalt Technologies and American Process are building the world’s first industrial-scale cellulosic biorefinery to produce biobutanol. The Alpena Biorefinery will convert part of the biomass into biobutanol, a chemical used in coatings and paints as well as an ingredient in renewable jet fuel. The plant will begin production in mid-2012 and it is expected to generate 470,000 gallons of biobutanol annually. The facility is under construction in Alpena, Michigan.
