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DOE has released a new report demonstrating that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and related programs have helped boost small businesses in the clean energy industry with $5.4 billion in grants so far. Companies involved in wind and solar power, biofuels, and energy efficiency are among the recipients.

Leading U.S. building industry groups have launched the International Green Construction Code, a model regulatory framework for the construction of high-performance commercial buildings. The code could be adopted by states and local governments in the United States and by governments throughout the world.

Ahead of the expected U.S. rollout of a number of electric vehicles this year, companies are offering innovative technologies designed to charge the vehicles, including a system linking vehicles to the Smart Grid, a plug-free charging system, and an iPhone App to find linked stations.

Colorado has increased its renewable energy standard for utilities to 30% by 2020, up from the previous 20% target set in 2007. The new legislation also requires utilities to draw on distributed sources of renewable energy for 3% of their retail electric sales by 2020.

China has enacted a number of policies that have made it one of the largest consumers of wind turbines in the world and the largest producer of solar cells. But the country has also moved to exclude foreign competition in its domestic renewable energy market, according to a new report.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy today outlined a series of steps to further strengthen the trusted ENERGY STAR program.

First Solar, Inc. is developing a 550-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic power plant in Southern California, slated for completion in 2013. The project is one of a number of large solar photovoltaic projects unfolding in California.

Chevron Technology Ventures will build the largest concentrating photovoltaic (PV) installation in the United States on a tailings site at a molybdenum mine in Questa, New Mexico. The 1-megawatt solar installation is considered a demonstration project.

The U.S. Department of Interior has awarded $3.7 million to 13 tribes to support their development of geothermal, biomass, and hydroelectric power resources. The tribes are located in the states of California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Utilities in California and Ohio are embracing new energy storage technologies, such as large-scale batteries and ice cooling devices, as ways to cut peak power loads and help integrate renewable energy into the grid. The innovations are part of the move towards Smart Grid technologies.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is proposing that EnergyGuide labels be required on televisions sold in the United States to help consumers know more about the products' energy consumption. The proposed change is open for public comment until May 14.

DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has redesigned its Web site to make it more user-friendly. The revamped Web site includes a new "Energy Empowers" section with stories from energy innovators across the United States.

A new poll of 9,000 people in 22 countries found that roughly two-thirds of respondent favored low-carbon sources of energy as a solution to energy and climate change issues. About 85% believed that more government control and intervention is needed to address these energy challenges.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has guaranteed an $80 million loan to Range Fuels, Inc., which is building a biorefinery in Georgia to convert wood chips to biofuels using a two-step thermochemical process. The guarantee is the agency's first to a commercial-scale cellulosic biofuel plant.

Vice President Joe Biden has announced more than $600 million in Recovery Act funding for 191 new transit projects in 42 states and Puerto Rico. Recipients are spending the funds on improvements such as hybrid electric buses and conversions of vehicles to hybrids.

The U.S. Navy recently awarded a $200 million contract for a total of 40 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic power systems on Navy and Marine Corps bases throughout the Southwest. The National Park Service is also installing solar power at many of its facilities, using Recovery Act funds.

The Geneva International Motor Show in Switzerland is highlighting electrified vehicles, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles, and a range of new hybrids. The debuts include entries from such sports car leaders as Porsche, Ferrari, and Lotus.

An attempt to account for the energy security costs of domestic and imported oil finds higher security costs for imported oil. However, the costs are low compared to the direct cost of oil, implying that U.S. energy security efforts should focus on lower petroleum use, regardless of its source.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy has offered a conditional commitment on a $117 million loan guarantee to finance the construction and start-up of an innovative 30 megawatt (MW) wind energy project in Kahuku, Hawaii.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the Department of Energy has offered a conditional commitment for a $72 million loan guarantee to SAGE Electrochromics, based in Faribault, Minnesota.