On Tuesday, Amy wrote about resources to help you further your education and career in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Are you considering an energy-related career? Tell us about your plans. Each Thursday, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a topic related to energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments.

Energy and persistence alter all things. -Benjamin Franklin In recent months, inquiries to the EERE Information Center on energy-related careers are on the rise. Some callers are students seeking information on degrees in energy or training programs to get them started in the field. Others callers are seeking resources to help them switch careers to take advantage of the recent national focus on making the transition to a green economy. Whichever category best describes you, there are a number of training and degree programs that can help you get the education you need to be successful in the energy field. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) website offers a wealth of information on energy education programs around the country. Links to vocational training opportunities, including programs relevant to homeowners and builders seeking to educate themselves on energy efficiency, can be found at the EERE's Educational and Professional Development Web page. For t... [More]

Water heating can account for a significant portion of your energy costs. Purchasing a new ENERGY STAR® water heater is just one way to save on your water heating bills. The Energy Savers Tips site lists other strategies you can use to cut your water heating costs. How do you reduce your water heating costs? Each Thursday, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a topic related to energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments.

If you've gone shopping for new appliances sometime in the last decade, then you're probably familiar with the ENERGY STAR® label. ENERGY STAR is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that sets higher-than-average standards for household appliances, electronics, and commercial products. Products that meet these rigorous energy requirements can be designated as ENERGY STAR products. For the average consumer, it basically means that ENERGY STAR products are more energy efficient than their standard counterparts, and therefore will cost less to power. You can find the whole range of ENERGY STAR products available on their Web site. And while you're there, you can read all about their newest addition: ENERGY STAR-qualified water heaters. ENERGY STAR-qualified water heaters were first rolled out at the beginning of 2009. Currently, you can purchase three types of water heaters: high-efficiency gas storage, whole-home gas tankles... [More]

Alternative fuels can produce fewer emissions that gasoline and be safer for the environment and for lung health, as we learned from Tuesday's entry. If you have a vehicle capable of using alternative fuels (or you're interested in buying one), you can use the Alternative Fueling Station Locator to find fueling stations in your area. Do you use alternative fuels? Each Thursday, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a topic related to energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments.

While recently attending a meeting of corn growers in southwestern Minnesota, someone noticed my name tag and asked, “What’s the American Lung Association of Minnesota doing here?” It was a good question, and the answer began 10 years ago, with a couple of U.S. Department of Energy efforts that helped Minnesota—a state with no oil wells—become a renewable energy powerhouse. Now, we are a model for other states, and even other countries. In 1998, the U.S. Department of Energy selected the Twin Cities, Chicago, and Denver as pilot markets for E85 fuel (a mix of up to 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline for use in flexible fuel vehicles) to see if a successful fueling infrastructure and customer base could be developed. A group of interested public and private organizations formed the Minnesota E85 Project, and the American Lung Association of Minnesota was chosen to coordinate the effort on behalf of all of the partners. Why did the American Lung Asso... [More]