General News
Obama Administration on Rural Tour
WASHINGTON D.C., June 30, 2009 - President Obama announced the launch of his Administration's Rural Tour to hold discussions on how communities, states, and the federal government can work together to help strengthen rural America. During July, August and September top Administration officials will fan out across the nation to hold a series of discussion on how to best implement programs and funds made available by The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The Clean Energy Economy
Green Jobs growing faster than other sectors
There's lots of talk about Green Jobs, but is it just hype or can the renewable energy industries really help us out of the economic crisis? Over the past decade the clean energy economy grew some 2-1/2 times faster than the overall jobs market in the U.S., according to a new report by The Pew Charitables Trusts.
Agriculture-Based Green Workforce Development
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program (RTP). This program supports technology development, applied research, and/or training, with a focus on rural communities, to aid in the development of a workforce for bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing, or agriculture-based renewable energy.
American Clean Energy and Security Act
Bill fights global warming and helps farmers and landowners
The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454), designed to create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy, is expected to be brought to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, June 26, prior to Congress's Fourth of July recess.
Offshore Wind Energy Innovations
A development in European offshore turbine technology could pave the way for future offshore projects in the United States.
Request for Proposal for Small Wind System in Mahtomedi, MN
The Mahtomedi Area Green Initiative (MAGI) is soliciting letters of interest and project proposals, including specifications and good-faith cost estimates, for the installation of a small wind turbine near the Mahtomedi High School campus in the Fall of 2009.
Small Wind Grew 78% in 2008
The U.S. market for small wind turbines—those with capacities of 100 kilowatts (kW) and less—grew 78% in 2008, with 17.3 megawatts (MW) of new electrical capacity, according to the 2008 AWEA Small Wind Global Market Study released by the American Wind Energy Association.
USDA REAP Energy Grants Available
Grants to help farmers and ranchers with energy audits, energy efficiency, and renewable energy projects
Farmers, ranchers, and other rural small businesses have until July 31, 2009 to apply for grants or loan guarantees to assist with energy efficiency and renewable energy projects through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
Windustry to Organize Community Wind Energy Conferences
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) recently granted Windustry $100,000 to organize six regional Community Wind Energy Conferences over the next two years.
Department of Energy Announces $93 million to Support Wind Energy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 29, 2009 - Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that $93 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will be used to support the development of wind energy projects.
