A Roundup of New and Updated Web Sites The world of the Internet is ever-changing. Here are a some new sites and others that have been updated:
Transportation Fuel Fact Sheets Blending relatively low levels of alternative fuels with conventional fuels reduces petroleum use and is therefore an important way to reduce the nation�s reliance on imported fuels. biodiesel A two-page fact sheet on biodiesel blends provides information on biodiesel quality, incentives and credits, availability, and strategies to promote biodiesel blends. A fact sheet on low-level ethanol fuel blends addresses ways to promote ethanol blends, how these blends affect emissions, fuel performance and availability and cost, incentives, and regulations. State Energy Efficiency Data Is Just a Click AwayNE energy statistics The Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has opened a new portal to web-based state information. Called EERE State Activities & Partnerships, the new web site organizes links to hundreds of state-specific web pages published by the energy agency and its technology development programs, including such information as federal grants to the states, resource maps, project databases, and contacts. The new portal also includes the latest state energy news, publications, and statistics.
Resources for Teachers The National Science Teachers Association offers three free online newsletters for teachers in elementary, middle and high school. Each month, the newsletters feature resources and ideas for teaching a science topic. Recent topics have included: Science and Art, Community Science, Assessment, Our Place in the Universe, Force and Motion, and Learning from Nature. The newsletters can be accessed at the following sites:
Have Fun with a Carbon Calculator The Bonneville Environmental Foundation — a not-for-profit organization, markets green carbon calculatorpower products to public utilities, businesses, government agencies and individuals — created a Carbon Calculator that analyzes the pollution created from your energy use. The Calculator looks at electricity, heating, auto travel and air travel among other activities. Each section requires the user to fill-in information about energy use.
New Solar Energy Resources Added to Energy Office�s Web Site � Getting a Photovoltaic Solar Energy System on Your Home. This online publication from Wisconsin, a solar use network, includes sections on cost of the system, getting a system installed, addressing insurance and utility issues, and architectural design considerations. � Midwest Region Consumer�s Guide to Buying a Solar System. This Iowa Department of Natural Resources online publication approaches solar energy issues that are common in the nine-state Midwest region, including sizing a system, savings, costs and financing as well as installers and warranties. Permits, utility and other inspections and insurance questions are also addressed. The topic of connecting a solar system to the grid is also covered in the publication. � A Guide to Photovoltaic System Design and Installation. This online publication from the California Energy Commission covers elemental design and installation issues such as systems with and without battery backups, mounting options, estimating output, estimating energy and dollar savings, using pre-engineered systems, utility coordination and material and equipment recommendations.
smart community networkSmart Communities Network The Smart Communities Network, under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy, offers resources, tools, links to articles and publications and community success stories on topics ranging from community-based energy to green development to sustainable businesses. Among the topic areas at the web site are: green buildings, land use planning, disaster planning, transportation, financing, rural issues and resource efficiencies in water, air and materials. The site even has a “Community and Drought” section for addressing persistent water shortages. Contact Us Disclaimer Energy Office Home Security, Privacy & Accessibility Policy State of Nebraska Home Webmaster