Latest news - US

US

Massachusetts sets standards to improve energy efficiency

Massachusetts sets standards to improve energy efficiency

The US state of Massachusetts has unveiled new targets to improve energy efficiency that aim to cut electricity use 2.4% and gas use 1.1.5%.

US government to cut its own emissions 28% by 2020

US government to cut its own emissions 28% by 2020

President Barack Obama announced a new executive order on Friday that requires the Federal Government to cut its own emissions 28% by 2020.

Nissan's LEAF

US closes $1.4 billion loan to Nissan

US closes $1.4 billion loan to Nissan

The US Department of Energy has closed a $1.4 billion loan agreement with Nissan North America to support its plans to build electric vehicles and advanced batteries.

US and EU sign up to Copenhagen Accord as deadline looms

US and EU sign up to Copenhagen Accord as deadline looms

The US and EU formally signed up to the Copenhagen Accord this week as the end of January deadline looms.

California adopts state-wide green building code

California adopts state-wide green building code

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this month announced the adoption of the first US state-wide mandatory green building code.

More incentives for energy efficiency and clean energy, says Obama

More incentives for energy efficiency and clean energy, says Obama

More incentives for energy efficiency and clean energy are what the US needs, President Barack Obama said last night in his State of the Union address.

Credit: NREL

NIST unveils framework for US smart grid

NIST unveils framework for US smart grid

The US Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology unveiled the first stage of a national smart grid framework at the end of last week.

Obama’s climate change agenda gets knock back

Obama’s climate change agenda gets knock back

US President Barack Obama’s climate change agenda has received a serious knock back in recent days with the election of Republican senator Scott Brown in Massachusetts and Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski contest of the EPA’s right to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Food or fuel? The biofuel debate rumbles on…

Food or fuel? The biofuel debate rumbles on…

The food or fuel debate rumbles on with new figures indicating that a quarter of the US entire grain crop was turned into ethanol last year.

Tesla Model S

US government loans $465 million to Tesla for electric family car

US government loans $465 million to Tesla for electric family car

The US Department of Energy is loaning electric carmaker Tesla Motors $465 million to construct a manufacturing facility in California to produce its Model S family sedan.