The port will pay $150,000 for the elimination and interrelated cleanup of a railroad tank filled with thousands of gallons of liquid, including the ruined form of the pesticide DDT, found obscured earlier this year, officials said Monday.
The port has no record of who might have buried the car about 40 feet long and 10 feet in diameter so there’s no one to whom to forward the bill.
The car, which port workers found Jan. 15 in the parking lot of Cruise Terminal No. 2 near Pier 27, has no identifying marks.
On March 27, crews used a crane to unearth the railcar, which was rinsed, placed on a flatbed truck and taken to a disposal center.
Today, about 50 cubic yards of tainted soil and 18,000 gallons of liquid pumped from the tank will be transported to a disposal facility in Alvin.
The port had planned to pump the contents out of the tank, fill it with slurry and surface over it. Officials predictable that would have cost about $25,000. But the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said the port first would have to test the soil beneath the tank, which required digging it up.
The city's fire position also required that the tank be removed.
The federal government banned DDT in the 1970s. It was blamed for overwhelming natural world, particularly birds, and probably causes cancer in humans. Tests also detected low concentrations of diesel fuel and Endosulfan, a neurotoxin, in the tank. Ingestion of Endosulfan has been linked to seizures.
Port officials wonder that a company removed the carriage from the railroad tank car and used the tank for storage. Pesticides may have been used to fight insects at Grain Elevator B, which the port and various private companies managed from 1930 to the late 1990s.
The port demolished the small piece elevator in 2003 to make way for cruise-ship operations.
               
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) this week agreed to collaborate on developing and exchanging information on advanced fuel cycle technologies through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dennis Spurgeon and TVA Chief Operating Officer William McCollum. This joint effort furthers DOE's ongoing nuclear research and development activities and along with other analyses and studies from nuclear industry, universities and DOE's national laboratories will help to determine the best path forward for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP). "We look forward to gaining valuable knowledge and experience in working with TVA to advance the goals of GNEP and expand clean, safe nuclear power," Dennis Spurgeon, DOE's Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy said. "The information provided and utility perspective offered from this partnership will be vital in departmental decisions on GNEP and closing the nuclear fuel cycle in the United States." This MOU establishes the overall framework for the exchange of information and conduct of activities between the two organizations. Future work associated with this MOU, which would be detailed in an Interagency Agreement to be developed subsequent to the MOU, would be focused on providing supporting data and information to help inform DOE on advanced fuel cycle technology development concepts and include conceptual plans, utility perspectives, suitable business models and additional research and development needed for the advancement of nuclear technology. "TVA is in a unique position to look for ways to improve how used nuclear fuel could be managed," said TVA Chief Operating Officer William McCollum. "We look forward to working with DOE to determine the best path forward." TVA currently operates six nuclear reactors as part of its power system, which serves approximately 8.8 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA recently restarted a nuclear unit at its Browns Ferry plant, has submitted a Combined License application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for two advanced reactor design nuclear units at its Bellefonte site and has resumed efforts to complete a second nuclear unit at its Watts Bar plant. TVA is the nation's largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation. GNEP was announced by President Bush in February 2006 and includes key nuclear research and technology development programs as well as international policy collaboration. Currently, 21 partner nations have joined the effort to globally expand nuclear power and help meet growing energy demand in a safe and secure manner, while at the same time reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation and responsibly managing spent nuclear fuel.
The import tax for CBU cars will be enlarged by 13% to 83% from the current 70%, according to a new decision dated April 17 by the Ministry of Finance. The import tariffs on automobile spare parts have also been familiar to rise by 3-5% depending on types of the imported spare parts. Those spare parts that have already been manufactured by domestic enterprises will be subjected to higher tariffs. This is the second time this year the import excise for CBU cars have been adjusted to increase and the first time within the past five years import tariff for automobile spare parts have been increased. The decision becomes valid 15 days after it is published on the gazette and be applied to customs declarations from April 22.
Auto parts makers are likely to report modest profits in the Jan-March quarter as they fight a slowdown in auto sales and high input costs.
Amtek Auto Ltd and Motherson Sumi Systems are predictable to post lower profits, while Cummins India may report a 10 percent growth in profit, down from 21.4 percent a year ago, a Reuters poll of analysts showed.
Automobile sales fell 5.3 percent in the Jan-March period as high interest rates hit demand for two-wheelers and heavy trucks. Costs of key raw material, like steel, went up by almost 15 percent in the Jan-March quarter, pressurising margins.
"Broadly, the sector is expected to deliver a mixed bag performance...following the slowdown in overall auto demand and input cost pressures", Angel Broking said in a research report. Firms like Motherson Sumi who sell to the United States will be hurt in the quarter, Aniket Mhatre, an analyst with Prabhudas Lilladher said. Analysts polled by Reuters expect the company's profit to reject almost 18 percent from a year ago.
Margins for auto part companies may be under pressure due to high input costs and the fact that no price increases have been passed on to the original tools manufacturers, Angel Broking said in its report.
But, the current turmoil in the sector, which has taken a toll on stock prices, may present a good buying opportunity, analysts said. Amtek shares have lost 31 percent since Jan. 1 while Cummins India shack 20 percent and Motherson Sumi 15 percent.
Angel Broking said that visible domestic industry growth and increase in outsourcing to India will aid enlarge of the auto supplementary industry going ahead.
Major global car makers such as Renault, Nissan, Volkswagen and General Motors are either increasing in India or setting up plants.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Kevin Kolevar today announced the Department's plans to invest up to $50 million over five years (Fiscal Years 2008 - 2012), subject to appropriations from Congress, in nine demonstration projects competitively selected to increase efficiency in the nation's electricity grid. The Renewable and Distributed Systems Integration (RDSI) technologies demonstrated in these projects aim to reduce peak load electricity demand by at least 15 percent at distribution feeders the power lines delivering electricity to consumer's and are part of the Bush Administration's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and reliability of our nation's energy infrastructure to ensure a reliable supply of energy to all Americans.
"Cutting-edge technologies that enhance the efficiency and dependability of the nation's electricity grid are critical to the Bush Administration's overarching goal of ensuring an affordable and reliable supply of electricity to the American people," Assistant Secretary Kolevar said. "These proposals will help to increase reliability in our electricity grid by defraying both the cost and effort associated with upgrading distribution lines or adding new generation capacity to meet peak electrical load, furthering our ongoing efforts to increase national economic and energy security."
The projects were selected in response to DOE's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) April 2007 Funding Opportunity Announcement seeking applications for research and development activities to improve the security of controls systems for energy delivery and increase the use of distributed generation during peak load periods. Negotiations between selected applicants and OE will begin immediately to determine final project plans and funding levels. Selected projects include:
Allegheny Power will develop the "West Virginia Super Circuit" in conjunction with West Virginia University (WVU) Research Park, WVU Advanced Power and Electricity Research Center, North Carolina State University, Research and Development Solutions, Augusta Systems, Inc., and Tollgrade Communications. They will improve distribution system performance, reliability, and security of electric supply through the integration of distributed resources and advanced technologies. (Duration: 5 years; Cost: $5.4 million federal/4 million non-federal)
ATK Launch Systems, along with partners Rocky Mountain Power and P&E AUTOMATION, will demonstrate load reduction through an integrated network of diverse renewable generation technologies and intelligent automation. The project will integrate renewable generation and energy storage resources, including a novel compressed-air generation technology, wind-turbines, heat recovery systems, solar trough booster technology, a steam turbine, and hydro-turbine resources. (Duration: 5 years; Cost: $1.6 million federal/$2 million non-federal)
Chevron Energy Solutions will collaborate with Alameda County, PG&E, VRB Power Systems, SatCon Technology Corporation, the University of Wisconsin, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Energy and Environmental Economics to significantly reduce peak load and measurably improve power reliability at the Santa Rita Jail. The project will integrate solar energy, fuel cell, energy storage and control systems. (Duration: 3 years; Cost: $7 million federal/$7 million non-federal)
The City of Fort Collins, in cooperation with Larimer County, Colorado State University, InteGrid Lab, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, the Governor's Energy Office, Advanced Energy, Woodward, Spirae, and Eaton, will research, develop, and demonstrate a 3.5 megawatt coordinated and integrated system of Mixed Distributed Resources in Fort Collins to Achieve a 20-30 percent peak load reduction on multiple distribution feeders. (Duration: 3 years; Cost: $6.3 million federal/$4.9 million non-federal)
Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc., along with Verizon, Innovative Power, Infotility, and Enernex, will develop and demonstrate methodologies to achieve true interoperability between a delivery company and end-use retail electric customers, enhancing the reliability of the distribution grid and the efficiency of its operations. (Duration: 3 years; Cost: $6.8 million federal/6.2 million non-federal)
The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) will collaborate with Exelon/ComEd, Galvin Electricity Initiative, S&C Electric, and others to develop and demonstrate a system that will achieve "perfect power" at the main campus of IIT through the implementation of distributed resources, advanced sensing, switching, feeder reconfiguration, and controls. This effort will be replicable at any municipality-sized system. (Duration: 5 years; Cost: $7 million federal/$5.2 million non-federal)
San Diego Gas and Electric will develop a dispatchable distribution feeder for peak load reduction and wind-farming in conjunction with: Horizon Energy Group, Advanced Control Systems, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the University of San Diego, Motorola, and Lockheed Martin. The project aims to prove the effectiveness of integrating multiple distributed energy resources with advanced controls and communication systems to improve stability and reduce peak loads on feeders/substations. (Duration: 3 years; Cost $6.9 million federal/$4 million non-federal)
The University of Hawaii, in cooperation with General Electric, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Maui Electric Company, Columbus Electric Cooperative, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Sentech, and UPC Wind, will explore the management of distribution system resources for improved service quality and reliability, transmission congestion relief, and grid support functions. (Duration: 3 years; Cost: $7 million federal/$8 million non-federal)
The University of Nevada will collaborate with homebuilder Pulte Homes, Nevada Power Company, and GE Ecomagination to address the construction of energy efficient homes that overcome electricity grid integration, control, and communications issues by building integrated photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage, and consumer products linked to advanced meters that enable and facilitate an efficient response to consumer energy demands. (Duration: 5 years: Cost: $6.9 million federal/$13.9 million non-federal)
RDSI focuses on integrating renewable energy, distributed generation, energy storage, thermally activated technologies, and demand response into the electric distribution and transmission system. This integration is aimed toward managing peak loads, offering new value-added services such as differentiated power quality to meet individual user needs, and enhancing asset use.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) inviting universities, national laboratories, and industry to compete for up to $15 million to advance nuclear technologies closing the nuclear fuel cycle. These projects will provide necessary data and analyses to further U.S. nuclear fuel cycle technology development, as part of the Department's Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI), the domestic technology R&D component of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP). Studies resulting from this FOA will include computing and simulation of spent fuel technology, advanced fuel systems analyses and properties of future waste forms. This announcement builds on over $328 million that DOE has provided to universities, national labs and industry since GNEP was announced in February 2006.
"To ensure that we have enough energy to meet growing demands, DOE is partnering with experts across the board to develop the necessary technology to advance the current state of nuclear energy and close the nuclear fuel cycle," said Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dennis Spurgeon. "Harnessing the power of technology will bring about the solutions to decrease the quantity and radiotoxicity of spent fuel, reduce the proliferation risk and lower greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing our nation's energy security."
In the FOA issued today, DOE is seeking applicants from industry, universities and national laboratories to conduct R&D in the following areas: Used Fuel Separations Technology, Advanced Nuclear Fuel Development, Fast Burner Reactors and Advanced Transmutation Systems, Advanced Fuel Cycle Systems Analysis, Advanced Computing and Simulation, Safeguards and Advanced Waste Forms. Responses are due by May 8, 2008.
As part of President Bush's Advanced Energy Initiative, GNEP aims to accelerate development and deployment of advanced fuel cycle technologies to encourage clean energy development worldwide, responsibly manage nuclear waste, and reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation. In March 2008, DOE announced the next stage of awards to four industry consortia, AREVA Federal Services, LLC; EnergySolutions, LLC; GE-Hitachi Nuclear Americas, LLC; and General Atomics, which included $18 million for additional studies on GNEP conceptual design, technology development roadmaps, and business plans. Over the past two years, DOE has also awarded universities approximately $39 million for research grants and fellowships, to upgrade laboratories and reactor facilities and purchase state-of-the-art equipment for researching advanced nuclear fuel cycle technology. DOE's national labs received approximately $182 million to advance domestic nuclear technology development through AFCI.
Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra has introduced a diesel-electric hybrid edition of its Scorpio value vehicle, in collaboration with engine specialist FEV.
The 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel makes 114 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a six-speed automobile transmission. The electric motor makes 40 hp and also produces 199 lb-ft. The vehicle stores energy in a nickel metal hydride battery pack.
Mahindra plans to introduce the Scorpio diesel hybrid originally in India and other Asian markets in 2009. The engine will be used in both the Scorpio and the Appalachian pickup in North America in 2010, according to distributor Global Vehicles USA.
DOE released a solicitation on April 17 that offers up to $7 million over the next two years to support research into improved methods of biomass pyrolysis -- a process that uses heat to chemically decompose biomass materials, such as wood chips, into an oily liquid. This "bio-oil" is a complex mixture of oxygenated hydrocarbons that can be upgraded to fuels such as gasoline and diesel fuel using conventional oil refinery processes. However, bio-oil can be corrosive to storage tanks, and when stored for a period of time, it typically becomes more viscous or can even turn into a solid. In addition, bio-oil typically contains small particles of charred biomass residue, and minerals in the char can catalyze reactions that degrade the quality of the bio-oil.
The new DOE solicitation will support the development of enhanced pyrolysis methods or inexpensive post-pyrolysis processing techniques that will result in a less corrosive bio-oil with greater stability. Such an improved bio-oil would be more practical to store, transport, and upgrade into motor fuels. DOE anticipates that five to seven applicants will be selected, and with a minimum 20% cost share from the applicants, roughly $8.75 million will be invested in these projects.
The National Biodiesel Foundation has introduced the first-ever biodiesel fuel card that entitles truckers and fleets to pay cash price on all fuel and no fuel transaction fee for biodiesel at in-network truck stops. In addition, SappBros. Travel Centers (Peru, Ill.), Waddy Unocal 76 (Waddy, Ky.), and Drivers Truck Stop (Ft. Worth, Tx.) are the first to offer a $0.02 discount at the pump for BioTrucker Fuel Card holders.
Card holders pay the cash price for all fuel instead of the credit price.The initial in-network list of 149 truck stops will continue to grow as more truck stops sell biodiesel and accept the BioTrucker Fuel Card. Truckers and fleets can sign up for the card at www.biotrucker.com and check out the list of in-network locations.
In an effort to engage students and the public on the significance of increasing the use of more clean, cutting-edge and energy-efficient vehicles to help transform our nation's transportation sector, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced plans to award nearly $3.5 million in a grant to the X PRIZE Foundation for the national education and outreach component of the Automotive X PRIZE (AXP) Education Program. The AXP, officially launched today, will award at least $10 million in privately funded prizes to teams that can engineer clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 miles per gallon, or its energy equivalent fuel efficiency, and win a cross-country stage race.
This effort is integral to the Department's work to promote and increase understanding of advanced vehicle technologies to help further the President's goal of reducing our nation's dependence on foreign oil to increase energy, economic and national security, according to John Mizroch, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at DOE.
"This grant represents one important way the Bush Administration is leveraging private sector expertise to educate and engage the public about utilizing clean, cutting-edge technologies to transform our transportation sector," DOE Assistant Secretary Karsner said. "Our support and collaboration with the Automotive X PRIZE aims to not only demonstrate the practical and much-needed use of advanced and energy-efficient vehicle technologies to reduce our dependence on oil, but also inspire our next generation to pursue careers in math, science and education and engineering, so America remains at the forefront of innovation and discovery."
With the Department's nearly $3.5 million grant, the Automotive X PRIZE Education Program will conduct outreach activities and use vehicle demonstrations as a means of attracting students and the public to learn more about advanced vehicle technologies, energy efficiency, climate change, renewable fuels, and the science and math behind energy-efficient vehicle development. This outreach effort will also include an international automotive engineering contest; public promotional events in the AXP host cities; and the establishment of a website that will provide educational materials and resources for advanced vehicle technologies. The project will be managed by DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory.
DOE's Vehicle Technologies program regularly works with academia, the private sector and non-profit organizations such as AXP to further the President's comprehensive strategy of developing vehicle technologies and renewable fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on foreign oil, and enable the U.S. transportation industry to sustain a strong, competitive position in domestic and world markets.
To learn about the Department's work on clean, renewable fuels, and advanced vehicle technologies research, development and deployment efforts, visit the EERE Web site.
The Automotive X PRIZE is a private, independent, technology-neutral competition developed by the X PRIZE Foundation, which creates and manages prizes that drive innovators to solve some of the greatest challenges facing the world. For more information visit AXP on the Web.
435 Utah school bus drivers have attended idle reduction education and awareness training and taken the pledge to reduce idling by at least five minutes a day. The sessions were hosted by Utah Clean Cities (UCC). UCC, along with the National Energy Foundation (NEF), Utah State Office of Education, and the Nevada Energy Office, received a U.S. Department of Energy grant to develop and implement the idle reduction training program to educate school bus drivers on the harmful effects of engine idling.
The training comes just ahead of a new Utah state regulation that goes into effect July 1, 2008, requiring the State Board of Education to implement an idle reduction program for all school bus drivers in the state and to adopt idle reduction standards for all school buses.
NEF is writing the curriculum, while UCC is working with the school districts on revisions and changes. All six districts in Utah and Nevada are serving as test cases for the program. Once the training period is complete, the curriculum will be made available nationwide with the help of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, the National School Boards Associations, and other Clean Cities Coalitions.
Advance Auto Parts, the US motoring parts retailer, is the latest firm to give up customer credit card data to hackers.
The bad guys gleaned financial information on up to 56,000 customers, through an attack affecting 14 stores nationwide, the firm [1] said on Monday.
The mechanism of the attack and the identity of the perps are unknown. Advance Auto has started sending letters directly to affected customers. They will be offered a year's free credit monitoring. The firm has notified credit, debit and check processors. Advance Auto has also set up a toll-free number (1-800-704-1154) to field customer calls.
The retailer reckons the breach has been contained but has hired third-party security consultants to identify ways to improve security. Meanwhile, it's working with law enforcement agencies in a bid to trace the culprits.
The problems at Advance Auto Parts follow recent breaches at US grocery chain Hannaford, affecting 4.2 million credit card records, and at cut-price retailer TJX, affecting 45.7 million records. The Hannaford breach is blamed on a sophisticated malware attack, while a insecure wireless network was at fault for the that made TJX the poster child last year for massive data breaches.
As part of the 30th Anniversary of the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series celebration, a number of different individual involved in the inaugural season of 1978 will be highlighted over the course of the 2008 campaign in a series entitled Catching Up With.
Drivers, car owners, promoters and crew members who were instrumental in helping the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series become what it is today will also stop by a number of races and tracks throughout the season, to visit with fans and share their memories of the 1978 season, as they traveled from coast-to-coast with the newly formed series.
This week, Rick Ferkel will be featured, and the native of Tiffin, Ohio will be on-hand at the World of Outlaws events at Eldora Speedway on Friday and Saturday. Ferkel was considered an Outlaw long before the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series was formed in 1978. Beginning in the late 1960s he hit he road and barnstormed from coast-to-coast chasing high paying events. This earned him the nickname The Ohio Traveler which stuck with him his entire career.
Ferkel, who usually piloted a car with the number 0 on it, won 18 A-Feature events with the World of Outlaws over the years and countless sprint car races from coast-to-coast. He won eight times with the series in the inaugural 1978 campaign, including his first series win at the famed Eldora Speedway in his home state of Ohio. He was also victorious in the Eldora Nationals in 1978, which paid a very healthy $5,000 to-win.
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, based on store count and sales. As of October 6, 2007, the company operated 3,228 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.
Thank you, Mayor Menino. And thank you for the leadership you have provided to expand the availability and use of renewable energy and solar, in particular throughout this city.
Its a thrill to be here at Fenway Park [especially after such a terrific home opener yesterday]. I have been a Red Sox fan for about four decades now and I want to thank Tom Werner and the Red Sox organization for hosting this event and for the big step toward clean, sustainable energy use that you are making today.
On a personal level, I could not be more pleased to be back in Boston. Though I was born in Chicago, I lived here for nearly 40 years. I came for graduate school at MIT and then decided to stay for a few decades before I had the blazing insight to move to Washington!
I raised my family in this state. I built my career here. And my wife Diane and I still get back as often as we can.
And so, as Energy Secretary, I am especially proud that my hometown is helping our nation to address two of the most pressing challenges we face: improving our energy security and combating global climate change.
Your work at the city and state level is complementing our federal efforts. Through the President Advanced Energy Initiative, we have put in place a series of policies to help break our dependence on fossil fuels, increase our energy efficiency, and harness the tremendous power of renewable energy.
And solar is a key component of our national strategy. Our goal is to make solar photovoltaic based electricity cost competitive nationwide by 2015 and sooner in some states.
At the Energy Department, we are pursuing a two-pronged approach to reducing the cost of solar power.
First, we are funding aggressive and innovative R&D programs many in partnership with industry, including Massachusetts-based companies like Konarka, GreenRay and Solasta, as well as university partners like MIT.
At the same time, we are working to integrate new technologies into the marketplace and into the grid efficiently and quickly. One way we are doing that is through the Solar America Cities program.
Last June I announced the selection of the inaugural 13 Solar America Cities including Boston. Since that time, Boston has emerged as a powerful leader.
Last month, I announced the selection of the final 12 new Solar America Cities and they will certainly benefit from the impressive path forged by cities like Boston.
This city approach to solar deployment and integration is both thorough and straightforward. I was pleased to learn though not surprised that Boston was the first major U.S. city to implement green-building requirements for commercial buildings.
And I understand that you have also completed city-wide mapping of potential sites for solar installations and are planning a major bulk procurement of solar energy for municipal buildings.
I congratulate all of the Solar Boston partners on your progress so far, and I look forward to the results of the initiatives you are announcing today. Boston comprehensive strategy is an excellent example of the type of municipal planning that can lead to significant private sector investment.
The goal of the Solar America Cities program is for cities to truly integrate solar energy into their planning processes and into the daily life of the people who live and work here.
I think its fair to say that nothing typifies life in Boston more than Fenway Park. So, the installation of a solar hot water system here is a great way to demonstrate the benefits of solar power. And I hope that Boston residents follow Fenways example and consider these systems for their own homes and businesses.
In fact, installing a solar water heating system on a home is one of the most cost-effective ways to personally combat global climate change. Water heating can account for 15 to 20 percent of a typical New England home energy use, and a solar water heating system can cut that in half.
The State of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, your utilities and organizations like the Red Sox are helping our nation to harness the power of solar energy and to demonstrate that when we join together we can hasten the day when clean, sustainable, renewable energy powers our lives.
And with that, its my pleasure to make this official by presenting the Mayor with Bostons Solar America City sign . . .
U.S. Under Secretary of Energy Clarence Bud Albright, Jr. today co-chaired the fourth meeting of the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue with Indian Foreign Minister Shivshankar Menon in New Delhi, India. The meeting concludes a week of bilateral U.S.-India energy discussions aimed at strengthening and expanding ongoing collaboration in research and development of gas hydrates and other clean energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, and promoting policies to ensure affordable and reliable supplies of energy.
As two of the world's largest energy users and world economies, the U.S. and India play a pivotal role in advancing global energy security, said Under Secretary Albright. In meetings here in New Delhi, we discussed the importance of working together to expand the production of renewable and alternative fuels and other energy options, encourage open and competitive markets, and dramatically increase energy efficiency.
Under Secretary Albright and India's Secretary of Petroleum and Natural Gas, M.S. Srinivasan, also today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Cooperation in Gas Hydrates to guide future efforts in expanding the use of gas hydrates as a clean, abundant natural energy resource. The MOU provides a framework for the nations to exchange information and analyses, conduct joint studies and projects, exchange scientific and technical personnel, and facilitate the establishment of a Gas Hydrate Technology Center in India in order to increase understanding of the geologic occurrence of, and the potential for methane production from, natural gas hydrates in both India and the United States.
While in India, Under Secretary Albright touted the importance of an agreement between the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and India to promote the adoption of advanced inspection and maintenance technologies for refinery safety and environmental performance.
Yesterday, Under Secretary Albright delivered remarks to the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), one of India's premier business associations, where he discussed the importance of expanding the commercial competitiveness and availability of renewable energy and alternative fuels, and the role of advanced technologies, including carbon capture and sequestration, in producing energy in a clean and efficient manner.
Over the course of the week, Under Secretary Albright held bilateral energy discussions with a number of senior Indian officials, including India's Secretary of Coal, Harish Chandra Gupta; India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Murli Deora; India's Minister of Power, Sushilkumar Shinde; and Indias Secretary of New and Renewable Energy V. Subramanian. In these meetings, Under Secretary Albright highlighted India important role in the global energy market and discussed the importance of increasing the use of clean energy options like renewable energy, clean coal and biofuels and dramatically increasing energy efficiency through advanced technology. He also met with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in New Dehli to discuss private sector investment opportunities in cutting-edge energy technologies.
The U.S.-India Energy Dialogue was launched in May, 2005 by Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia to increase energy cooperation between the nations. The Dialogue fulfills a commitment made during a September 2004 meeting between President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to promote increased trade and investment in the energy sector by working with the public and private sectors to further identify areas of cooperation and collaboration.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued a Preliminary Notice of Violation (PNOV) to Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA) for violations of the Departments worker safety and health regulations. BEA is the managing and operating contractor for DOEs Idaho National Laboratory (INL), located approximately 40 miles west of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Todays PNOV is the first worker safety and health enforcement action under DOEs Worker Safety and Health rule that went into effect last February.
The PNOV cites a series of violations related to two events affecting worker safety and heath that occurred at INL in 2007. Violations include failures to identify and assess workplace hazards; establish controls to prevent and abate hazards; provide adequate training and information; adhere to procedures; and comply with fire protection and emergency response requirements. DOE elected to take contract action against BEA to constitute a penalty for the violations. The DOE Idaho Operations Office reduced BEAs fee for fiscal year 2007 by $250,000 for these events in the contractors end-of-year performance evaluation.
The first event occurred in June 2007 when a fire occurred within a chemical fume hood where a worker was pouring finely-powdered red phosphorus from a plastic bag into a metal canister and the red phosphorus ignited. The chemist involved in this incident received minor burns to a hand and other workers were treated for exposure to smoke from the fire and cleared to work following medical examinations. Damage from the fire was limited to the fume hood. The second event occurred in July 2007 when two INL firefighters - responding to a wildland fire - were shocked by electrical energy from a sagging overhead power transmission line. Their emergency response vehicle, which was supplying water to their hoselines, was parked in close proximity to the power line and electrical energy traveled through heavy smoke to their vehicle, shocking the firefighters. One firefighter involved in this incident received sufficient energy from the shock to knock the individual to the ground and the other firefighter experienced muscle contractions that prevented him from releasing the fire hose. Both firefighters were cleared to work without medical restrictions following a medical examination.
The Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 authorizes the Energy Department to take regulatory actions under 10 C.F.R. Part 851, Worker Safety and Health Program, against DOE contractors for violations of its worker safety and health requirements. DOEs Enforcement Program encourages Departmental contractors to identify and correct worker safety and health deficiencies at an early stage, before they contribute to or result in more serious events.
The Vice President and members of my Cabinet, Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Transportation, members of my staff and I have just had a constructive and meaningful dialogue with CEOs of the U.S. automobile manufacturers.
First, these leaders have -- are making difficult decisions, tough choices to make sure that their companies are competitive in a global economy. And I'm confident that they're making the right decisions, and that's good news for the American people because the automobile parts manufacturers play such a significant part of our economy and a vital part of our employment base.
We've had a fascinating discussion about a lot of major issues that we share in common. One, of course, is rising health care costs. And I assured these leaders that the government is addressing rising health care costs through a variety of initiatives that I think over time are going to make a significant difference in not only their cost, but the cost to the U.S. taxpayer, as well.
We talked about our mutual desire to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Obviously, as these automobile manufacturers begin to incorporate new technologies that will enable us to power our cars in different ways, it will make it easier for me to be able to tell the American people we're using less foreign oil. And that's in our economic interests, as well as in our national security interests.
And finally, they've -- these gentlemen are well aware that I'm on my way overseas this evening. And one of the issues I'll be talking about with our partners in APEC is free trade, but fair trade. And my message to our trading partners is just treat us the way we treat you. Our markets are open for your products, and we expect your markets to be open for ours, including our automobiles.
And so we've found a lot in common. We'll have a continuing dialogue. It's in our interest that in government we find out ways that we'll be able to work to make sure that this industry is as vibrant and solid as possible. And so this is the beginning of a series of discussions we'll have -- not only with me, but also with people in our government. I really do want to thank you all for coming. I appreciate you coming.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced new ENERGY STAR® criteria for water heaters, the first in the history of the program. According to DOE projections, by the end of the fifth year in effect, the new water heater criteria are expected to save Americans approximately $780 million in utility costs, avoid 4.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and achieve cumulative energy savings of more than 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours and 270 million therms of natural gas. Water heating currently represents up to 17 percent of national residential energy consumption, making it the third largest energy user in homes, behind heating and cooling, and kitchen appliances.
The ENERGY STAR® program empowers consumers to make smart energy choices that will save money, and energy, and reduce our carbon footprint, DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Andy Karsner said. Expansion of the ENERGY STAR® program to include water heaters will give Americans yet another way to more efficiently use energy in their homes and, in the interest of increasing energy security and addressing climate change, help further the President goal of fundamentally changing the way this nation uses power.
For the first time, the following five categories of residential water heaters will be eligible for an ENERGY STAR® label: high-performance gas storage, whole-home gas tankless, advanced drop-in or integrated heat pump, solar, and gas condensing.
The new criteria for high-efficiency and high-performance gas storage water heaters will take effect in two phases. The first phase goes into effect January 1, 2009, and requires gas storage water heaters to have a minimum Energy Factor (EF) of 0.62 - or they must be 6.9 percent more efficient than the Federal Standard. Energy Factor is a measurement of relative energy efficiency for a water heater; the higher the Energy Factor, the more energy efficient the water heater. A fifty-gallon high-performance gas storage water heater which meets the new ENERGY STAR® criteria, for example, is estimated to yield annual savings of 7.3 percent and save $26 using the national average gas rate. Effective September 1, 2010, phase two requires the EF to increase to 0.67 - or 15.5 percent more efficient than the Federal Standard, resulting in annual savings of 14 percent and $51 for a single high-performance gas storage water heater.
Taking effect January 1, 2009, whole-home gas tankless water heaters which carry the ENERGY STAR® label must have a minimum EF of 0.82, minimum gallons-per-minute flow of 2.5 at a 77 degrees Fahrenheit rise, or be 41.4 percent more efficient than the current Federal standard. A whole-home gas tankless water heater with a 0.82 EF is expected to achieve a 30 percent reduction in energy use and save a consumer approximately $108 in annual energy costs compared to a typical gas storage water heater. ENERGY STAR® criteria for residential drop-in or integrated heat pump water heaters require a minimum EF of 2.0 or must be 121.2 percent more efficient than the Federal standard, and a minimum First-Hour Rating requirement of 50 gallons-per-hour, effective January 1, 2009. Under these criteria, a heat pump water heater is expected to save consumers nearly 55 percent in energy use and yield annual energy savings of approximately $277 compared to a typical electric resistance water heater.
Effective January 1, 2009, solar water heaters must have at a minimum Solar Fraction of 0.50 and OG-300 certification from the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) in order to carry the ENERGY STAR® label. The SRCC is a third-party organization that rates solar water heater systems. By earning the OG-300 rating, solar water heaters have met certain performance, durability, reliability, and safety requirements set by the SRCC. An OG-300 certified solar water heater with a 0.50 Solar Fraction and a fifty-gallon electric storage auxiliary water heater would achieve a Solar Energy Factor of 1.8, saving 50 percent in energy use and annual savings of $180, compared to a typical electric storage water heater.
To qualify for the ENERGY STAR® label, residential gas condensing water heaters must have an EF of 0.80, which is 37.9 percent more efficient than the Federal standard, and a minimum First-Hour Rating of 67 gallons-per-hour. Under these criteria, taking effect January 1, 2009, a fifty-gallon water heater would save nearly 30 percent in energy consumption and result in $102 in annual energy savings compared to the conventional typical gas storage water heater.
U.S. Under Secretary of Energy Clarence Bud Albright, Jr. will travel to New Delhi, India this week as part of the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue to highlight ongoing cooperation between the United States and India to ensure safe, reliable, clean, affordable and diverse energy supplies. As growing energy economies and rapidly increasing trading partners, the United States and India must play a critical role in promoting global investments in energy infrastructure, development and deployment of clean energy technologies, and open and transparent investment climates.
While in India, Under Secretary Albright is expected to hold bilateral energy discussions with senior government officials from India Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Power, and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to highlight cooperation through the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue, the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate and other joint efforts between the countries in clean coal technology, renewable fuels, energy efficiency and gas hydrates. On Wednesday, Under Secretary Albright will meet with the American Chamber of Commerce to discuss increased trade and investment opportunities to promote a diversity of energy options to meet growing energy demand.
On Thursday, Under Secretary Albright is expected to deliver remarks to the Confederation of Indian Industries, one of India's premier business associations, to highlight the importance of expanding cooperation in scientific research and innovation, promoting greater use of alternative energy technologies, and increasing investment in energy infrastructure and diversification.
Under Secretary Albright will conclude his trip on Friday by co-chairing the Steering Group of the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue with Indian Foreign Minister Shivshankar Menon. The two leaders are expected to receive reports and recommendations from bilateral energy working groups that met throughout the week and discuss opportunities for increased collaboration in developing and deploying alternative fuels, increasing investments in cutting-edge technology to develop methane hydrates, and rapidly increasing energy efficiency across all sectors.
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