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Governor Beshear Recognizes Toyota for Energy Efficiency |
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Governor Steve Beshear met with Toyota officials April 12th to present certificates recognizing their energy efficient buildings. Toyota has made significant strides in energy efficiency, leading to ENERGY STAR labeling of eight Toyota assembly plants, two of which are in Kentucky: the administration building in Erlanger and the assembly plants in Georgetown. Toyota has reduced their operational energy requirements four percent in 2007, and 16 percent per vehicle in the last four years. They have also provided leadership and training to other companies and suppliers in their supply chain that helps to improve energy efficiency. |
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ARC Announces Second Round of Grants Competition for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency |
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The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced the second round of a grants competition this week to assist Appalachian communities in leveraging renewable-energy and energy-efficiency resources to revitalize their economies. ARC expects to provide eight to ten awards of up to $75,000 each, for a total of $500,000 in awards, to help communities implement these strategies.
A listing of projects funded in 2007 can be obtained at www.arc.gov/energy.
The deadline for submission of proposals is June 30, 2008. Selections will be announced on July 31, 2008. For information on submitting an application please go to www.arc.gov/energy.
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Kentucky Response to U.S. DOE's |
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Kentucky Submits Response to DOE’s Request for Information on Restructured FutureGen
On March 3, 2008, the commonwealth of Kentucky submitted its response to the United States Department of Energy’s Request for Information on the restructured FutureGen initiative. On Jan. 31, 2008, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a restructured approach that aims to demonstrate advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology at multiple commercial-scale Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) clean coal power plants throughout the country.
In response to the DOE’s January announcement, Gov. Beshear directed the Governor’s Office of Energy Policy (GOEP) and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development to collaboratively solicit interest from public and private businesses and organizations to assist in responding to the federal Request for Information (RFI). The document submitted to the DOE reflects the input from those who responded to state’s solicitation of interest.
Press Release
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Carbon Research |
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Carbon Management Study
House Bill 1 from the 2007 special session of the Kentucky General Assembly contained several provisions related to carbon research. Section 52 directed a Carbon Management Report for submission to the Legislative Research Commission. The study addressed technologies related to carbon capture from coal-fired power plants, and status of research on carbon capture, utilization, transportation, and storage.
New Legislation Funds Carbon Management Research
Anticipating possible federal requirements to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the use of coal in Kentucky, the Kentucky General Assembly passed House Bill 1 in a 2007 special session. This bill authorizes funding for research by the Kentucky Geological Survey in the areas of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery, carbon dioxide enhanced gas recovery, and permanent geologic storage of carbon dioxide. HB 1 encourages the Kentucky Geological Survey to partner with industry to share the cost of this important research. The Kentucky Consortium for Carbon Storage has been formed to accomplish this goal.
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UK Competes in Solar Decathlon |
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The University of Kentucky is one of only 20 university-led teams from around the world that has been selected to compete in the United States Department of Energy (DOE) 2009 Solar Decathlon. A biennial event, the Solar Decathlon brings together 20 teams in a competition to design, build and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house. Each team's house, which must measure approximately 800 square feet and use sunlight for power, is then assembled as part of a weeklong competition and exhibition in Washington, D.C. The houses are judged and scored during this period in 10 different areas related to design, energy efficiency, and comfort. An overall winner, considered to have the most energy-efficient and innovatively designed house, will be announced at the end of the event.
For more information about UK's project, see www.uky.edu/solarhouse.
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