The new solicitation intends to build on the existing knowledge base of plant biology and take advantage of significant advances in breeding, molecular genetics, and genomic technologies, enabling researchers to confidently predict and manipulate plants' biological functions for bioenergy resources. Improved crops for energy fuels could use less intensive production techniques and poorer quality land, thereby avoiding competition with food production on better quality land. The solicitation hasn't been posted on grants.gov yet. See the USDA press release and DOE's Genomic Science Program Web site.
DOE Delivers $40 Million to Florida & Maine for Clean Energy
DOE delivered over $40 million in ARRA funds on November 17 to Florida and Maine to support energy efficiency and conservation activities. Under DOE's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, the recipients will implement programs that lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and create green jobs locally.
The awards to the states' energy offices will be used to support their energy efficiency priorities, along with funding local conservation projects in smaller cities and counties. At least 60% of each award will be passed through to local cities and counties not eligible for direct EECBG awards from DOE. The EECBG Program was funded for the first time by the Recovery Act and provides formula grants to states, cities, counties, territories, and federally-recognized Indian tribes nationwide to implement local energy efficiency projects.
Projects eligible for support include development of an energy efficiency and conservation strategy, energy efficiency audits and retrofits, transportation programs, the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements, development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and installation of renewable energy technologies on municipal buildings. Florida will use the funds to support the Sunshine State Building Initiative, which will fund the installation of a variety of energy-saving measures at existing state buildings. It will help the state meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 10% by 2012. Meanwhile, Maine will direct a portion of its funds toward energy efficiency upgrades at large-scale commercial facilities. See the DOE press release and the EECBG Program Web site.
AIA Report Notes Surge in Green Building Programs
The number of U.S. cities with green building programs increased 50% in two years, according to a survey by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). 138 cities have green building programs, up from 92 cities in 2007, and 24 of the 25 most populated metropolitan regions are built around cities with a green building policy. The new report, "Green Building Policy in a Changing Economic Environment," is an inventory of policies and best practices intended to help policymakers advance a more sustainable legislative agenda for growth and development.
The report notes that DOE's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, funded by the ARRA, is providing "an unprecedented opportunity for the advancement of green building and sustainability efforts in our nation's cities." The AIA stated a goal of making all building designs carbon neutral by 2030. See the AIA press release and report.
The rise in green building programs is also reflected in the continued construction of Energy Star qualified homes. The U.S. EPA announced on November 11 that the program had surpassed one million Energy Star-qualified homes since EPA and DOE began labeling new homes in 1995 under their joint effort. Topping the list with the most Energy Star homes are Houston, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; and the greater Los Angeles area in California. Over 6,500 builders across the nation are constructing homes that earn the Energy Star label, and qualified new homes can be found in every state in the country.
