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New fuel efficiency standards set for Europe's vans

Thursday, 16 December 2010 20:45

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Efficiency standards for light commercial vehicles (vans) sold in Europe were agreed tonight. Meeting in Strasbourg, representatives from the European Parliament, Council of Ministers and the European Commission set emissions reduction requirements of 175 grammes of CO2 per kilometre by 2017, and 147g CO2/km by 2020. Greenpeace EU transport policy advisor Franziska Achterberg said: "These unambitious targets are a missed opportunity to propel the European car sector into a market leader for fuel efficiency. With people driving more and further, the standards set by the EU today will do nothing to curb overall emissions growth." The agreement still needs to be formally adopted by all three institutions. Average emissions from new vans sold in Europe were 203g CO2/km in 2007.

Source: Greenpeace, Image: Freefoto.com

U.S. Department of Transportation redirects $1.195 billion in high-speed rail funds

Monday, 13 December 2010 20:25

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that $1.195 billion in high-speed rail funds originally designated for Wisconsin and Ohio will be redirected to other states eager to develop high-speed rail corridors across the United States. Wisconsin has suspended work under its existing high-speed rail agreement and the incoming Governors in Wisconsin and Ohio have both indicated that they will not move forward to use high-speed rail money received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). As a result, $1.195 billion will be redirected to high-speed rail projects already underway in other states. "High-speed rail will modernize America's valuable transportation network, while reinvigorating the manufacturing sector and putting people back to work in good-paying jobs," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "I am pleased that so many other states are enthusiastic about the additional support they are receiving to help bring America's high-speed rail network to life." The Recovery Act included $8 billion to launch a national high-speed rail program that will modernize America's transportation network, spur economic development domestically and keep the U.S. competitive with other leading nations. High-speed rail grants announced under the Recovery Act can be used only for high-speed rail projects and not for other transportation projects.

Last Updated on Monday, 13 December 2010 20:31 Read more...

Energy performance of buildings: the Commission asks Italy and Spain to ensure full compliance with European legislation

Tuesday, 07 December 2010 17:16

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The European Commission today formally requested Italy and Spain to ensure full compliance with European rules on the energy performance of buildings. These rules should in particular enable European citizens to benefit from all relevant information about the buildings which they buy or rent. They also require each Member State to provide for a scheme for the regular inspection of boilers and air-conditioning systems. The Commission's decisions take the form of reasoned opinions. The Commission may decide to take these Member States to the Court of Justice if no measures are adopted within two months to ensure compliance. The European legislation is aimed at achieving a significant reduction in the energy consumption of buildings, thus helping to combat global warming and strengthen the EU's energy security. Large energy savings will also enable households to drastically reduce their bills. The Commission considers that Italy and Spain have not adopted all the measures provided for in European legislation.

Secretary Chu announces nearly $21 million in technical assistance projects to improve energy use in commercial buildings

Monday, 06 December 2010 16:55

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During a live online chat at the White House earlier today, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that 24 projects are receiving a total of $21 million in technical assistance to dramatically reduce the energy used in their commercial buildings. This initiative, supported with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will connect commercial building owners and operators with multidisciplinary teams including researchers at DOE's National Laboratories and private sector building experts. The teams will design, construct, measure, and test low-energy building plans, and will help accelerate the deployment of cost-effective energy-saving measures in commercial buildings across the United States. "These Recovery Act projects are bringing together experts from our National Laboratories and the private sector to help businesses and organizations reduce the energy they use in their facilities, saving them money on their energy bills and making them more competitive economically," said Secretary Chu. "This initiative will also demonstrate to other commercial building operators that cost-effective, energy-efficient technologies exist today that will help lower the operating and energy costs of their buildings."

Electric transport in Amsterdam covers two round-the-world trips

Saturday, 04 December 2010 20:25

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Figures from energy supplier Nuon and network manager Liander show that drivers of electric vehicles in Amsterdam have covered 70,000 kilometres in less than a year. This is equivalent to driving around the world twice. The growth of electric transport is such that the number of kilometres driven in Amsterdam is doubling every quarter. Amsterdam has one of the bigger public charging networks in Europe.

In November 2009 the municipality of Amsterdam, energy supplier Nuon and network manager Liander started a pilot scheme to stimulate electric transport and get a better understanding of the ‘charging pattern' of electric transport drivers. More than 200 people are taking part in this pilot, in which they can top up and park free of charge until April 2012 at any of 80 public charging stations in Amsterdam. The number of participants and the applications for charging points is increasing at such a rate that the 100th charging point will soon be installed.