Energy Literacy Advocates Newsroom

Oil Prices Reveal Mixed Data

2009-07-01T09:09:00.003-07:00

As oil prices have risen to new highs for 2009, above $70 a barrel, Energy Information Administration data also revealed that stockpiles are growing.Prices rose due to attacks at Nigerian oil facilities. At the same time, U.S. petroleum stockpiles grew by 2.1 million barrels.Oil prices continue to mirror economic and political uncertainties worldwide.For a more in depth study on oil prices and

Obama Looking Forward to Senate Action on Energy Bill

2009-06-30T09:13:00.004-07:00

The "American Clean Energy and Security Act," passed by a narrow vote in the House, is now facing a hard contest in the Senate. Across party lines, Senators have voiced concerns about effects of proposed cap and trade measures on jobs, industry and the domestic economy.Obama remains confident that the Senate will take action to pass the bill in the next few months. The President cited the bill as

Obama Signs "Cash for Clunkers" Measure Into Law

2009-06-29T09:09:00.003-07:00

Friday the "Cash for Clunkers" measure was signed into law by President Barack Obama, becoming the Car Allowance Rebate System (C.A.R.S.) program.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will oversee the program, and has 30 days to rollout the bill's provisions. $1 billion in initial funding is tied to C.A.R.S., which offers a maximum rebate of $4500 to the consumer.To learn

American Clean Energy and Security Act Gets Boost from President

2009-06-26T08:30:00.003-07:00

President Barack Obama urged the House to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). A vote is expected today.ACES packages renewable energy standards together with climate legislation, including the introduction of a cap and trade system for greenhouse gas emissions. Obama urged support for the bill not only to amend climate change, but also to promote jobs in the renewable energy

Oil Price Bubble Could Strike Again

2009-06-25T09:26:00.002-07:00

During joint talks between the European Union (EU) and OPEC, officials warned that another oil price spike could threaten economic recovery. OPEC is calling for greater transparency and regulation, particularly in the global economic market, to prevent another price bubble.Oil is currently trading at $68 dollars per barrel, far below the record of $150 set last year.

Consensus Nearing on Climate Legislation

2009-06-24T19:56:00.002-07:00

Bloomberg - Democratic negotiators are reported to be close to an agreement on climate-change legislation and the measure may come to a vote on June 26. “It is quite possible and maybe even probable we will go” to the floor with the measure at the end of this week “and complete the energy legislation,” Steny Hoyer, House Majority Leader and Maryland Democrat, told reporters in

Automakers to Get Boost for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

2009-06-23T14:23:00.002-07:00

Announced today, a total of $8 billion will be loaned by the Obama administration to Ford, Nissan and Tesla to build more fuel-efficient cars.The companies will use these loan to re-tool production facilities and expand fuel efficient model options.The bulk of specified efficient models will be electric or plug-in hybrids.Loans for Chrysler and GM are pending.To read more, click here.

Budget Office Releases Controversial Energy Bill Costs

2009-06-22T13:32:00.004-07:00

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its findings late Friday for costs per household under HR 2454, the comprehensive energy package under consideration in the House of Representatives.The CBO calculated average cost to be $175 per household per year. To calculate these expenses, CBO evaluated only the cap and trade legislation portions. Costs will be higher for wealthier households,

Cash for Clunkers Approved by Congress

2009-06-19T09:10:00.003-07:00

The "Cash for Clunkers" legislation passed the Senate on Thursday afternoon, and is on its way to the President's desk to become law.The policy overcame several barriers between Senate and House versions. The final bill maintains that qualifying "gas guzzlers" must get 18 miles per gallon or less, must have been owned and insured for more than one year by the current owner, and must have been

Energy Secretary Pushes Climate Bill

2009-06-18T09:50:00.003-07:00

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today urged Congress to pass existing climate legislation, and avoid delaying decisions by waiting for more perfect policies to develop down the road.Chu stressed that he would like to see action on climate change this year.The existing proposal, passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, targets a 17 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by the year 2020.

Senate Energy Panel Approves Energy Bill

2009-06-17T11:39:00.002-07:00

The Wall Street Journal - The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee made the initial approval on an energy bill, voting 15-8 to send the bill on to the full Senate for consideration. The bill represents a compromise between mandating new renewable energy technologies and attempting to keep energy costs down. The bill faces a contentious future, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (

New Energy Horizons: Biodiesel Update

2009-06-17T09:03:00.002-07:00

Biodiesel fuels continue to garner a lot of interest as alternative sources of energy, since their manufacture can be adapted to regional resources, and the fuel itself can be generated from various types of waste.MSN serves up a quick synopsis of biodiesel. To learn more, click here!

Cash for Clunkers Debate Continues in Senate

2009-06-16T09:08:00.003-07:00

With predictions growing that Congress will pass a version of the "Cash for Clunkers" legislation this week, the House bill still has to overcome several hurdles in the Senate.The Senate has criticized the House version, stating that its relaxed voucher qualifications amount to another car industry bailout, rather than a fuel efficiency and fleet modernization strategy. The Senate's own "Cash

"Clean" Coal Again in America's Energy Portfolio?

2009-06-15T12:02:00.004-07:00

Department of Energy Secretary Stephen Chu signalled a reversal in previous DOE policy today as he announced the government will fund a massive clean coal project, that 18 months ago was cancelled.The government will offer 2 to 1 funding alongside private investors to create a prototype coal plant which captures the carbon dioxide it produces. Initial government funding estimates are over $1

Cash for Clunkers – An Opportunity Lost?

2009-06-12T13:04:00.003-07:00