|
| Back to Contents Page
| Home Energy Index | About
Home Energy |
| Home Energy Home
Page | Back Issues of Home Energy
|
Home Energy Magazine Online May/June 1994
TRENDS
NATAS and CAREIRS Become EREC
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
has consolidated the energy information and technical assistance
services previously provided by two organizations--the familiar
Conservation and Renewable Energy Inquiry and Referral Service
(CAREIRS) and the National Appropriate Technology Assistance
Service (NATAS)--into one entity called the Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC). EREC is now providing
the specialized technical assistance previously contracted to
NATAS, a project of the Butte, Montana-based National Center
for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), since 1984. It will also
provide the more general information services--factsheets, brochures,
videos, and so forth--delivered through CAREIRS. EREC is operated
by NCI Information Systems, Inc., the firm that ran CAREIRS
and also manages DOE's Energy Information Center, the public
information service of DOE's statistical branch, the Energy
Information Administration. The new contract officially started
in January, and the name change followed in March. DOE is funding
EREC through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Technical
Information Program.
EREC furnishes informational materials
from an extensive database of publications, referrals, and bibliographies
covering the efficient use of energy and the application of
renewable energy technologies. It also provides business assistance
and information on financing for energy-related businesses.
NCI has beefed up its computer system
and added staff to respond to inquiries more quickly. Users
can now request and download publications and other information
through a new computer bulletin board. Another upgrade in the
works is electronic communication over the Internet. Services
for Spanish-speaking and hearing-impaired people are planned
as well, according to Don Fort, technical supervisor for EREC.
-- Abba Anderson
| Back to Contents Page | Home
Energy Index | About
Home Energy |
| Home Energy Home
Page | Back Issues of Home Energy
|
Home Energy can be reached at: contact@homeenergy.org
Home Energy magazine -- Please read our Copyright
Notice
|
