Weekly Clean Energy Roundup: April 9, 2008

DOE Announces New Energy Star Criteria for Water Heaters DOE and EPA Honor Energy Star Partners Large-Scale Solar Thermal Power Projects Planned for California California Utility Inks Deal for Nearly 1,500 Solar Homes Iowa Leads the Nation with 5.5% Wind Power, Says AWEA Scotland Offers $20 Million Prize for Ocean Energy Innovations EIA: Crude Oil Prices to Average $101 per Barrel in 2008 DOE Announces New Energy Star Criteria for Water Heaters DOE established new Energy Star criteria for water heaters last week, setting the wheels in motion for the first water heaters to carry the Energy Star label next year. The new criteria apply to solar water heaters, advanced drop-in integrated heat pump water heaters, and three gas-fired designs: high-performance storage tank, condensing, and whole-home tankless water heaters. The criteria will be implemented across two years, with the first phase being initiated on January 1, 2009. The second phase, introducing stronger standards, will take effect on September 1, 2010. According to DOE projections, these new water heater criteria could, after five years of being implemented, save about $780 million in utility costs, avoid 4.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and achieve cumulative energy savings of more than 3.9 […]

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