A roundup of energy efficiency news, features and happenings from the U.S.

 Ameren Illinois Utilities Announce Successful Electric Energy Efficiency Pilot Program at Kroger
The first of its type project involved replacing fluorescent lighting with high-efficiency LED lighting in frozen food reach-in cases and refrigerated dairy and beverage cases. It is anticipated the LED lighting will result in annual energy cost savings of more than $9,000 just for the one Peoria store…
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-03-2009/0004982459&EDATE=

Energy Related Details of Economic Stimulus Package
From Unplugged Living…
http://www.unpluggedliving.com/energy-related-details-of-economic-stimulus-package/#

Centex Raises Bar for Energy-Efficient Homebuilding
Dallas-based Centex Corporation has rolled-out a green line of home development in St. Louis, building new homes with its Centex Energy Advantage designs.  The homes the company has begun building in the St. Louis metro area are considered as much as 40 percent more efficient than the typical 10-year-old home…
http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/03/03/centex-raises-bar-for-energy-efficient-homebuilding/

Clean Energy Receipient of First DOE Loan Guarantees
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu plans to issue the first loan guarantees for low-carbon energy projects in the next week or two. They will go to solar and energy efficiency technologies, adding that nuclear power projects would not be in the first tranche. Applicants have been waiting years for about $40 billion in loan guarantees, which the DOE was mandated to disburse for advanced technology projects. They’ve been held up by bureaucratic obstacles from the Bush administration…
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/17767

Consumers Energy Moving Forward on Energy Efficiency; Invites Companies to Submit Bids For Start of $500 Million Program
Consumers Energy is inviting companies to submit bids to participate in the start of a $500 million program to help Michigan residents and businesses use energy more efficiently and save on their energy bill…
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-03-2009/0004981880&EDATE=

Dell Helps Customers Design Data Centers for Energy Efficiency and Peak Performance
Dell today announced that its data center consulting practice will utilize Future Facilities’ 6SigmaDC software suite to design and simulate data centers that maximize space utilization and energy efficiency through the optimal configuration and placement of IT hardware, racks, cabinets and power and cooling equipment…
http://www.businesswire.com/news/google/20090303005303/en

JCPenney Becomes First Retailer to Earn Energy Star® Award for Sustained Excellence in Energy Management
In recognition of its continued commitment to strategic energy management, JCPenney was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with the ENERGY STAR Award for Sustained Excellence in Energy Management…
http://www.ecofriendlymag.com/sustainable-transporation-and-alternative-fuel/jcpenney-becomes-first-retailer-to-earn-energy-star%C2%AE-award-for-sustained-excellence-in-energy-management/

California Leads the Nation in Energy Star Buildings
The City of Los Angeles has more Energy Star buildings than any other U.S. metropolis with 262 buildings, according to a new ranking issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency…
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2009/2009-03-04-092.asp

Chicago kicks off Green Office Challenge
Mayor Richard M. Daley, officials from ComEd, and Chicago business leaders recently launched two environmental projects, “Green Office Challenge” and “Earth Hour,” at a press conference held in the OFS Brands showroom located in the Merchandise Mart…
http://www.greentechforum.net/category/news/2009/03/05/chicago-kicks-off-green-office-challenge/

Obama Pushes Appliance Efficiency
In February 2009, amid a wave of executive actions establishing his administration’s priorities, President Barack Obama ordered the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to raise the federal standards for energy efficiency in a variety of appliance categories…
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2009/2/26/Obama-Pushes-Appliance-Efficiency-DOE/