The United States and China have announced a range of clean energy initiatives, including the establishment of a U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center. designed to boost joint research and development of clean energy technology, as well as energy efficiency and electric vehicle initiatives.

The U.S. Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank is launching a $250 million facility to finance the export of U.S. renewable energy products. The bank will also encourage various lending institutions to adopt policies to promote clean energy exports.

DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are soliciting genomic research projects designed to develop new plant feedstocks for use in biofuels.

The number of U.S. cities with green building programs has increased 50% since 2007, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). And in a reflection of this trend, the number of new homes earning the Energy Star label has topped the one million mark.

Climate change is already attributable to the deaths of more than 300,000 people per year, according to a new study, and by 2050, as many as 150 million people could be forced from their homes. A separate study finds that many people in the U.S. Southeast could be among the displaced.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy is awarding nearly $40 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Florida and Maine to support clean energy projects.

DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have awarded more than $24 million to support 12 projects aimed at boosting biofuels and products produced from biomass. The projects will advance biomass feedstocks and conversion techniques and analyze the potential for biofuel production.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) have completed a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System Project, which will produce 400 megawatts using solar power towers.

Powered by Sharp multijunction solar cells developed for satellites, the Tokai University Solar Car blazed 3,000 kilometers down the center of Australia at an average speed of 62 miles per hour to win the Global Green Challenge race.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranked California at the top of its annual survey of state energy efficiency efforts. The nonprofit grades the states on six categories, including transportation policies and appliance efficiency standards.

A new report lays out the efforts needed to make offshore wind power a reality in the United States, while summarizing the efforts currently underway. Projects have been proposed up and down the East Coast, while recent studies are examining the wind power potential of the Great Lakes.

If U.S. and world economic conditions continue to improve, oil prices are expected to escalate to $81 per barrel by December 2010, according to the DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). The rising oil prices are already driving up the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel.

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu highlighted DOE's continued commitment to partnering with Native Americans to support the development of clean energy projects on tribal lands.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced up to $30.6 million in Recovery Act funding for the selection of seven hydropower projects that modernize hydropower infrastructure by increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impacts at existing facilities.

DOE has awarded $338 million for 123 geothermal projects in 39 states. The funds will support innovative exploration and drilling, creation of a national resource database, deployment of ground source heat pumps, and the development of new geothermal resources.

DOE is awarding $155 million in Recovery Act funds to support 41 industrial energy efficiency projects across the United States. The nine largest will leverage an additional $634 million in private support for significant efficiency upgrades at industrial facilities.

DOE is providing as much as $5.5 million in Recovery Act funds for the X Prize Foundation's competition to design commercially-viable vehicles that can achieve an equivalent of 100 miles per gallon of gas. DOE will provide technical assistance while supporting outreach and education efforts.

DOE has granted more than $38 million in Recovery Act funds to Alaska, Kansas, Utah, and West Virginia to support each state's energy efficiency priorities. The awards are part of DOE's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.

DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is getting a modest budget boost of 3% in the fiscal year 2010 appropriations approved by President Obama. The annual appropriations process is separate from the one-time injection of funds provided by the Recovery Act.

A new allocation of Clean Renewable Energy Bonds will provide low-interest financing for government agencies, public power providers, and cooperative electric companies across the United States, with the leaders in each category located in California, Washington, and Alaska, respectively.