The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy released the 2010 Fuel Economy Guide which gives consumers and businesses information about the estimated fuel mileage and fuels costs for new 2010 models. Each vehicle listing in the Guide provides an estimated annual fuel cost calculated on the vehicle’s miles per gallon rating and national estimates for annual mileage and fuel prices.

An online version of the Guide allows users to enter their local fuel prices and driving habits to receive a personalized fuel cost estimate. The Guide is also available to mobile users, making it readily accessible from a mobile device, smart phone, or personal digital assistant.

USDA Awards Funds to NPPD for Energy Education

The Nebraska Public Power District received $48,082 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in September, 2009 to help fund a kiosk at the utility’s new Norfolk Operations Center. The “Energy Innovation Project” kiosk will educate visitors about the energy efficient design of the new building and what the utility is doing to help the environment. The $60,000 project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2010.

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Nebraska’s Green Economy Profile

In September 2009 the National Governors Association published Nebraska Profile of the Green Economy that showed the state is clearly a national leader in green transportation. Other areas of growing comparative advantage for Nebraska are in energy efficiency, energy generation and water management.

The publication analyzes Nebraska’s green economy in terms of its green business activity, areas for promising research and development and opportunities for building partnerships with other green industries.

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Home Electronics Use Electricity Even When Off

Did you know that there are home electronics and appliances that use electricity even when they are turned off? In May 2009, a Duke University study found that up to 20 percent of an electric bill could come from money-wasting appliances even when they are off. An average home entertainment system can cost up to $75 per year in wasted energy when turned off.

Many Ways to Save
There are ways to stop these money-wasting products from using electricity when they are off:

• Use energy saving features built into computers.
• Plug all your appliances, phone chargers and other gadgets into a power strip to turn them off when not needed. Or use a “smart” power strip that automatically shuts off when devices are inactive.
• Consider purchasing a “kill-a-watt” device to measure the electric consumption of your appliances and electronics when they are turned on or off.

When you do need new appliances or electronics, purchase ENERGY STAR® devices which use much less power when turned off as well as when running.

For more information about energy wasting devices contact the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver Blog.

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