Sustainability News and Resources

WASHINGTON, DC — Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham announced today that the Department of Energy (DOE) will provide $17,390,442 for 187 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in 48 states, the District of Columbia and one territory. Funding is being provided through DOE’s State Energy Program Special Projects competitive grants.

“President Bush’s National Energy Policy recognizes the important role states play in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies,” Secretary Abraham said. “These special energy projects will help conserve energy, provide jobs, increase our national energy security and reduce the need for new electricity generating plants.”

State energy offices will use these funds to improve the energy efficiency of schools, homes and other buildings; promote energy-efficient industrial technologies; and support renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass. Some projects will create opportunities for distributed energy resources.

States, territories and the District of Columbia competed for these DOE awards which provide specialized funding in addition to annual formula grants given to each state energy office. While actual award dates will vary, DOE anticipates making the awards in September.

Secretary Abraham launched the Department of Energy’s Smart Energy Campaign, a public awareness campaign to educate businesses, homeowners and consumers on ways they can cut energy bills, on July 9 due to lower-than-normal natural gas stocks and higher demand for the popular energy source.

Additionally, Secretary Abraham called on state energy officials to join DOE’s Smart Energy Campaign, stating, “The Bush Administration is looking for ways to lead by example in saving energy and, in particular, natural gas at our country’s federal facilities. I would encourage state governments to do the same.”

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IRS Publishes Updated Registration and Reporting Forms

The IRS has published updated versions of Form 637 and Form 720. These forms are available by going to the Forms and Publications page of the IRS website, www.irs.gov. A direct link to that page is: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=97817,00.html.

Form 637 is the registration application that all biodiesel producers and blenders must complete. (Note: Becoming officially registered may take a considerable amount time. Planning accordingly to meet the deadlines proscribed by the IRS is critical. For information about the registration process and timing, contact your local IRS Field Office.)

* Biodiesel producers:
o Two new activity letters are included to reflect your activity.
1. Activity letter ABis for producers and importers of agri-biodiesel.
2. Activity letter NBis for producers and importers of biodiesel (other than agri-biodiesel).
o An entity can register under multiple activity letters to accurately reflect their activities.
o Current producers must have their Application reviewed and approved by the IRS by July 1, 2005. New production facilities coming on-line must have their Application reviewed and approved by the IRS before commencing production.
* Blenders:
o The updated Form 637 deletes the current Activity Letter T. Blenders must now utilize the Activity Letter M. Current Tregistrants will be accepted as Mregistrants until June 30, 2005. After that date, existing Tregistrants who are blenders must be re-registered using Activity Letter M.
o New blenders must also be registered with the IRS. They must have their registration officially approved by the IRS prior to commencing any blending activities.

The Full Text of this excerpt came from the National Board for Biodiesel - Read it Here…

DOE launched a Disaster Recovery and Building Reconstruction Web site on November 22nd as part of its continuing effort to support hurricane victims in the Gulf Coast. The new Web site encourages cost-effective, durable, and energy-efficient reconstruction in areas devastated by recent hurricanes. It provides resources and information for consumers, builders, contractors, and state and local officials, and also links to a wide range of guidelines, fact sheets, and case studies developed by DOE and other federal agencies and organizations. See the new Disaster Recovery and Building Reconstruction Web site.

Go to DOE website to read the full News post…
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