WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a Disaster Recovery and Building Reconstruction Web site as part of its effort to support hurricane victims in the Gulf Coast. The new Web site encourages cost-effective, durable, and energy-efficient reconstruction in areas devastated by the recent hurricanes.

The site provides resources and information for consumers, builders, contractors, and state and local officials, and also links to a wide range of guidelines, fact sheets, and case studies developed by DOE and other federal agencies and organizations. The site is located at www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/disaster_recovery/.

DOE said it is also working closely with Gulf Coast state energy offices and their partners to provide resources, training, and technical assistance. A key component of the states' recovery efforts is their partnership with the National Association of State Universities Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC) and in-state extension services to provide training workshops on achieving energy efficiency and storm resistance while rebuilding. These workshops will combine NASULGC's ability to deliver educational programs with DOE's national network of building scientists, energy analysts, and builder training professionals. The Disaster Recovery and Building Reconstruction Web site will provide information on the workshops as it becomes available.