The most recent agriculture census counted more than 20,000 farms and ranches that were producing renewable energy via solar panels, wind turbines, and methane digesters. To find out more, the USDA is now conducting the first national On-Farm Energy Production Survey, with results to be published in February 2011.
And to further accelerate the use of renewable energy, the USDA announced on May 4 that it is seeking applications for four renewable energy programs. Rural producers and small businesses installing renewable energy systems can apply for grants and loan guarantees under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), with applications due by June 30. The funding may also be used to purchase energy-efficient equipment, add insulation, and improve heating and cooling systems.
In 2009, REAP helped fund 1,485 energy projects throughout the US. The USDA also plans to accept applications for three other renewable energy programs: the Biorefinery Assistance Program, Repowering Assistance Program, and the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels. The solicitation for those programs will be published in the Federal Register by May 7. See the USDA press releases on the survey and the funding, the REAP solicitation (PDF 77 KB) as published in the Federal Register, and the REAP Web site.
EPA Hosts First Building Competition to Boost Energy Efficiency
Is there a flabby, inefficient office building in your neighborhood that needs to drop a few kilowatts? Now that energy hog has a chance to be inspired, as 14 commercial buildings compete to "shape up" their energy consumption under the first National Building Competition, sponsored by the US EPA. The contest will declare the building that sheds the most energy waste on a percentage basis as the winner. Stay tuned for the EPA's final "weigh-in" on October 26.
Nearly 200 applications were received for EPA's National Building Competition, and the 14 finalists, ranging from an elementary school to a hotel building, will be judged on their energy performance from September 1, 2009, to August 31, 2010. The energy use of each building is being monitored with Portfolio Manager, Energy Star's online energy measurement and tracking tool, and a Twitter feed allows you to follow the contestants as they take such actions as upgrading their lighting and cooling systems and tweaking their energy management systems. Fitness expert Bob Harper, who appears on "The Biggest Loser," will also provide energy fitness tips for contestants through a series of videos that will be available on the competition Web site. See the EPA press release and the National Building Competition Web site.
Which U.S. cities have the most efficient buildings? EPA released its second annual ranking of the top 25 U.S. cities with the most Energy Star buildings: Los Angeles, California, followed by Washington, D.C.; San Francisco, California; Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; Lakeland, Florida; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and New York City. Lakeland and New York City are new to the top 10 this year.
EPA awards the Energy Star to commercial buildings that perform in the top 25% of buildings nationwide compared to similar buildings. In 2009, nearly 3,900 commercial buildings earned the Energy Star, representing savings of over $900 million in utility bills and over 4.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. There are 9000 Energy Star-qualifying buildings and plants in the US, achieving overall annual utility savings of $1.6 billion and preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 1 million homes. The Energy Star is a joint program of EPA and DOE. See the
EPA press release, the list of top 25 cities (
PDF 168 KB), and the real-time registry of all
Energy Star buildings and plants.
