Last but not least, the bill provides funding for international efforts, including $300 million for a U.S. contribution to the World Bank's Clean Technology Fund, which is primarily focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The bill also provides $1.26 billion for a variety of international programs related to climate change and the environment, of which $108.5 million will go toward clean energy programs. At least $10 million will support microfinance renewable energy programs, which help finance systems for the poor.
See the White House press release on the signing; pages 23-24, 29, 30, 56, 194, and 364-366 of the legislation, H.R. 3288 (PDF 1.0 MB); and page 31 of the international section of the conference report (PDF 4.6 MB).
Boeing Launches Maiden Flight of the Fuel-Efficient 787 Dreamliner
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner took to the sky for the first time in mid-December, successfully completing the maiden flight of the new fuel-efficient airplane. The new airliner uses 20% less fuel per passenger than other similarly sized airplanes, thanks to an innovative combination of fuel-efficient engines, aerodynamic design, and lightweight composite materials.
By weight, half of the airplane is composed of composite materials, including the fuselage and wings. The aircraft will also provide passengers with innovations that include a new interior environment with cleaner air, larger windows, more stowage space, improved lighting, and other conveniences.
The flight marks a turning point for Boeing, as the Dreamliner's maiden voyage was delayed by more than two years due to issues with parts supplies, software, and system integration. But Boeing is now moving ahead and has already completed the first flight of its second 787 Dreamliner.
The company will employ six aircraft in its flight-test program, leading to the first commercial delivery in the fourth quarter of 2010. Boeing has 840 orders for the 787 Dreamliner, and in October 2009, the company announced plans to build a second assembly line for the aircraft in North Charleston, South Carolina.
See the Boeing press releases on the first flight, the second flight, and the new assembly line; the list of all press releases for the 787 Dreamliner; and the Boeing Web sites for the 787 Dreamliner and its first flight.
NASA Employs Satellite Data to Calculate California's Carbon Budget
Calculating the greenhouse gas emissions from a city, state, or country is tricky business, as the calculations must include comprehensive tabulations of energy use, land-use changes, industrial emissions, and other factors. However, a recent NASA project may result in simpler ways to measure greenhouse emissions.
NASA used its Terra satellite to measure the "greenness" of California's vegetation, then turned to an ecosystem simulation model to estimate monthly variations in the accumulated biomass of wood and other plant materials.
Unfortunately, NASA had to draw on inventory data from the California Energy Commission to model the greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion and from agricultural lands throughout the state.
The study found that in 2004, the state's natural ecosystems absorbed as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as was emitted by burning fossil fuels, with significant amounts of carbon dioxide being trapped in forests and soils during periods of above-normal rainfall.
The bad news for California is that such periods of above-normal rainfall have become rare, as the state has been suffering under drought conditions since the fall of 2006. See the NASA press release and the current status of the drought from the California Department of Water Resources.
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EREE Network News is a weekly publication of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
