News and reports from the Department of Energy.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that the Energy Auditor Training program (EAT) will distribute up to $40 million in grants for states, with the aim of training individuals to conduct energy audits or surveys for commercial and residential buildings. The DOE has initiated the application process for competitive funding, with a view to bolstering the workforce with energy efficiency certifications.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has declared the availability of up to $530 million in competitive grants for technical assistance. These grants are designed to promote the adoption and implementation of advanced energy codes, zero energy codes, and innovative building performance standards. The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is applicable to states, territories, and local government units that have the authority to adopt building codes.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a $42 million initiative named Inertial Fusion Energy Science and Technology Accelerated Research (IFE-STAR). The program is aimed at creating hubs that will promote collaborative efforts in advancing the foundational science and technology of inertial fusion energy (IFE). The projects funded through IFE-STAR will draw on the expertise and resources from DOE’s National Laboratories, academia, and industry to drive the development of inertial fusion energy system components.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has invited the public to comment on a proposed gen-tie electric project in Carbon County, Wyoming. The BLM is weighing two options for the transmission line, one of which would involve it crossing 4.7 miles of BLM lands.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has voiced its concerns over a series of decisions approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), claiming that they are detrimental to the state's rooftop solar industry. Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA’s president and CEO, has urged the commission to reconsider before these changes cause further damage.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused 7-Eleven of violating an anticompetitive acquisition order by acquiring a fuel outlet in St. Petersburg, Florida without giving the commission prior notice. The order in question was mutually agreed upon by the FTC and 7-Eleven.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a $42 million initiative aimed at improving the nation's power grid across 11 states, involving 15 projects under the Unlocking Lasting Transformative Resiliency Advances by Faster Actuation of power Semiconductor Technologies (ULTRAFAST) program. The purpose of these initiatives is to advance semiconductor technologies and enhance the resiliency of the national power grid.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced six new appointees from the Biden-Harris Administration today. Additionally, two existing appointees have been elevated to new positions within the Department, all collaborating with U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm to advance climate and energy goals, according to a press release by DOE.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED) has announced it has entered a two-year cooperative agreement worth $992,000 with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC).

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management (EM) recently disclosed that EM crews have successfully extracted over 1 million gallons of water from the basement of the Beta-1 building at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM), in collaboration with cleanup contractor UCOR, is conducting this water removal process as part of the preparations for the eventual demolition of the Manhattan Project-era Beta-1 building according to a press release.

U.S. Department of Energy's Environmental Management (EM) announced that facility enhancements had a significant positive impact on converting depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6) into more stable compounds according to a press release by EM.

The Department of Energy has introduced the Affordable Home Energy Shot™ initiative, aiming to advance clean energy solutions for affordable homes, reduce emissions, enhance resilience, and lower costs.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced that it's Office of State and Community Energy Programs has granted $30 million in clean energy funding through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program to 28 state, local, and Tribal governments. These grants support a diverse range of clean energy projects and programs tailored to the needs and goals of each recipient according to a press release.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management (EM) revealed that the Liquid waste contractor Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) at the Savannah River Site (SRS) achieved over 10 million safe working hours, demonstrating the efficacy of their safety-first culture. This milestone reflects hours worked without any job-related injury or illness preventing an employee from returning to work the following day according to a press release.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) revealed that 66 hydro facilities across the nation will be granted over $38 million in incentive payments for their electricity generation and sales.