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UK overhauls rules for ‘green’ planning and unveils new eco-towns

UK overhauls rules for ‘green’ planning and unveils new eco-towns

UK Housing and Planning Minister John Healey yesterday announced an overhaul of ‘green’ planning rules and a second wave of eco-towns.

LED streetlights perform best overall, say engineers

LED streetlights perform best overall, say engineers

LED streetlights perform best overall in terms of energy efficiency, lifetime, environmental impact and costs, according to the first comprehensive analysis by US engineers.

Osbaston hydropower scheme

New map identifies UK’s hydropower hotspots

New map identifies UK’s hydropower hotspots

A new map identifies nearly 26,000 potential sites for hydropower installations around England and Wales that could meet 3% of the country’s 2020 renewable energy target.

Credit Rama, Wikimedia Commons.

Environmental groups sue EC over biofuel documents

Environmental groups sue EC over biofuel documents

A coalition of environmental groups yesterday filed a legal action against the European Commission over its failure to release documents concerning the impact of biofuel use.

(Credit: FreeFoto)

US Government backs energy-saving windows

US Government backs energy-saving windows

The US Department of Energy announced last week that it is to back a Minnesota-based company making energy-saving windows with a $72 million loan.

Credit: ARP, Wikimedia Commons

UK Government issues guidelines for regional renewables

UK Government issues guidelines for regional renewables

Regional authorities in England got a helping hand on renewables and low-carbon technologies last week with the publication of new Government guidelines.

UK Government plans aim to end grid connection backlog

UK Government plans aim to end grid connection backlog

The UK Government yesterday announced proposals to change the way new electricity generation if connected to the country’s power grid and speed up the process.

UK to test the water for wave and tidal energy

UK to test the water for wave and tidal energy

England and Wales are to carry out a full Strategic Environmental Assessment for wave and tidal energy for the regions.

EC completes €4 billion funding for energy infrastructure

EC completes €4 billion funding for energy infrastructure

The European Commission announced the selection of 43 major energy infrastructure projects that will receive €2.3 billion, completing the €4 billion Economic Recovery Package.

New York Governor promises $40 million to improve energy efficiency

New York Governor promises $40 million to improve energy efficiency

New York Governor David A. Paterson yesterday announced a $40 million investment to improve the energy efficiency of the state’s schools, universities and colleges, hospitals and not-for-profit agencies.