Energy Law

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today the investment of up to $24 million for three research groups to tackle key hurdles in the commercialization of algae-based biofuels. The selections will support the development of a clean, sustainable transportation sector?a goal of the Department's continued effort to spur the creation of the domestic bio-industry while creating jobs. Developing cost-effective renewable transportation fuels is a key component of the Administration's strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions and move the nation toward energy independence.

"Partnerships such as these focus the creative powers of the public, private, and academic sectors on key challenges facing the development of renewable energy for transportation," said Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Cathy Zoi. "The United States must find effective ways to hasten the development of technologies for advanced biofuels made from algae and other renewable resources to reduce our need for foreign sources of oil." Zoi made the announcement while speaking today at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2010 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing.

WHITEFISH, Mont. - New transmission lines are critical to developing the alternative electricity production needed to meet demand in the coming years, governors of states in the West said Monday.

The need for new energy development and dangers of climate change topped the agenda at the annual meeting of the Western Governors Association, where participants recognized that more renewable energy is a priority that will require considerable private investment.

About half of the governors in the West are participating in the event.

The governors want to find a way to fast-track the construction of expensive, lengthy transmission lines to carry wind and solar power from rural to large urban areas.

HARRISBURG -- The House Coal Caucus, revived recently in response to perceived threats to the industry from Washington and the state Capitol, could get its first test this week with a bill that would require utilities to buy higher amounts of renewable energy.

The bill's sponsor -- Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York -- is hoping for a House vote on dozens of amendments "soon."

The coal caucus, which includes 68 members, believes the bill is a threat to jobs in Western Pennsylvania. The bill calls for increasing the renewable energy used in Pennsylvania from 8 percent of the total to 15 percent by 2024.

Although amendments are designed to soften opposition from backers of the fossil fuel, Rep. Jeffrey Pyle, R-Ford City, the coal caucus' co-chair, said he doesn't expect to change his mind.

A senior American energy official says the oil gushing in the Gulf of Mexico dramatically illustrates the need for investing in renewable sources of energy.

David Sandalow, an assistant energy secretary, said Tuesday the oil spill is a "tragic situation" that "underscores the need for a transition to a clean energy economy."

The river Seine, the historical "sacred river" running through Paris, inspired Monet, Matisse and even the British painter Turner, who sat on its banks to capture the scenery.

Now the landscape is to undergo a subtle change, with a plan to install eight turbines underneath the city's celebrated bridges to raise energy from river currents.

Paris city hall is to launch an appeal this week for power companies to come up with suitable projects to install the turbines, or hydroliennes.

"After a study by our urban ecology service and the French waterways, four potential sites have already been identified," Denis Baupin, the deputy mayor, told Le Parisien newspaper. One is to the west of the city, at the Pont du Garigliano, while the others are in central Paris, at the Pont de la Tournelle, Pont Marie and Pont au Change. Two energy-harnessing machines will be placed at each spot.