EERE's newsletter, the EERE Network News, covers national and international energy efficiency and renewable energy news and events, as well as new EERE Web sites and energy facts. en-us http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/ energy efficiency renewable energy solar wind biomass hydrogen geothermal The "Big Three" automakers presented their long-term viability plans to Congress on December 2. Ford unveiled new plans to electrify its fleet and to dramatically increase the fleet's fuel economy, while GM and Chrysler leaned heavily on their own plans for electric-drive and flex-fuel vehicles. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12127 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:05 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12127 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering to guarantee loans of up to $250 million for commercial-scale biorefineries that produce biofuels from something other than corn starch. One company that plans to apply for a loan guarantee is Florida-based U.S. Sugar Corporation. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12128 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:04 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12128 The City of Los Angeles has unveiled a plan to encourage the installation of 1,300 megawatts of solar power by 2020, largely through utility requirements, but also through rebates, low-income programs, innovative financing, the sale of shares in a solar power system, and even a feed-in tariff. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12129 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:03 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12129 Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has opened the first large-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) production plant in California. Located in the Mojave Desert, the facility will provide LNG for trucks that serve the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, as well as transportation fleets throughout California and Arizona. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12130 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:02 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12130 The Scottish Government is offering a prize purse of 10 million pounds, or about $15 million, for the best demonstration of a commercially viable wave or tidal energy technology capable of powering thousands of homes. The Saltire Prize Challenge will launch in the summer of 2009. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12131 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:01 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12131 The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has released its final damage assessment for Hurricanes Gustave and Ike, finding that 60 oil and natural gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico were destroyed, while another 124 sustained enough damage to require months of repairs. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12132 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12132 DOE has selected six companies to receive up to $14.55 million over the next three years, subject to annual appropriations, for the research, development, and demonstration of advanced vehicle technologies. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12134 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:00:00 MST http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12134