·:[ Environmental News Bits ]:·
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The Industrial Technologies Program conducts a variety of Webcasts on industrial energy efficiency, the latest tools and technologies, and Save Energy Now assessment opportunities each Thursday @ 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST.

The Upcoming Schedule:

• January 8, 2009: Combined Heat and Power Regional Application Centers
• January 15, 2009: Introduction to the Industrial Technologies Program
• January 22, 2009: Energy Management Programs
• January 29, 2009: Emerging Steel Technologies
• February 5, 2009: State and Utility Partnerships
• February 12, 2009: Energy Assessments: What Are the Benefits to Large Facilities?
• February 19, 2009: Energy Assessments: What Are the Benefits to Small-and Medium-Sized Facilities?
• February 26, 2009: Quick PEP Tool Demonstration and Results

Register at: www.eere.energy.gov/industry/bestpractices/events_calendar.asp

Read the full story in Technology Review.

Luca Technologies, a startup based in Golden, CO, has raised $76 million to scale up a process that uses coal-digesting microorganisms to convert coal into methane. The process is designed to operate underground, inside coal mines. Methane, the key component of natural gas, can then be pumped out and used to generate electricity or power vehicles.

Read the full story in Technology Review.

Fuel cells are the most efficient way to convert chemical energy into electricity. But most either operate at high temperatures or require very pure hydrogen fuel. Superprotonic, a startup company in Pasadena, CA, is developing a fuel cell that can handle dirty hydrogen at relatively low temperatures. It could thus use hydrogen produced from other fuels–such as natural gas or ethanol–by a simple device called a “reformer.”

The Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award is awarded annually by the National Environmental Education Foundation to an outstanding teacher who has successfully integrated environmental education into his or her daily education programs. The award is given to a 5th-12th grade educator who can serve as an inspiration and model for others. A $5,000 cash award is provided for the recipient to continue their work in environmental education. Do you know a teacher who stands out among the rest? If so, please nominate him/her for the 2009 Richard C. Bartlett Award. The nomination deadline has just been extended to February 13, 2009! To learn more or submit your nomination visit http://www.neefusa.org/bartlettaward.htm.

Deadline: February 1, 2009; June 1, 2009; and October 15, 2009

The NEA Foundation (http://www.neafoundation.org/) supports a variety of efforts by teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to improve student learning in public schools, colleges, and universities across the United States. The foundation is accepting applications for the following grant programs:

The Learning & Leadership Grants program provides opportunities for teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to engage in high-quality professional development and lead their colleagues in professional growth. Grants to individuals fund participation in professional development experiences such as summer institutes and action research. Grants to groups fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, and mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment. The grant amount is $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups.

The Student Achievement Grants program provides grants of $5,000 each to improve the academic achievement of students by engaging in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. Proposals for work resulting in low-income and minority student success with honors, advanced placement, and other challenging curricula are particularly encouraged. Grant funds may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, software, and scholars-in-residence.

Applicants must be practicing U.S. public school teachers in grades K-12, public school education support professionals, or faculty and staff at public higher education institutions.