energy efficiency
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The intellectual bankruptcy of conservatism: Heritage even opposes energy efficiency
Conservative think tanks remain oblivious and impervious to the facts. They cling to global warming denial and delay even in the face of the remarkable advances both in scientific understanding about global warming and in clean technology solutions. They provide the foundational misanalysis (disanalysis?) for the entire conservative movement — although “movement” must be the […]
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Q. Does daylight savings time save energy?
A. According to this UC Berkeley Energy Institute study [PDF], DST does not save energy. Usage goes up about 1 percent, mostly due to people calling other people to tell them to change their clocks. A better solution would be to just have permanent summer.
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Decoupling 101: Of triage and panaceas
Decoupling is all the rage. The Obama campaign has made it a key part of their plan (as David gushed here), and many states have instituted decoupling proceedings to change the way that their electric and gas utilities get paid. The good news on decoupling is directional; utilities currently have a strong incentive to keep […]
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Everything you need to know about Berkeley’s innovative rooftop solar program
Many of us could make money by investing in energy efficiency improvements and solar systems for our homes. Yet we stubbornly resist making these improvements. Why? Buying power from your utility is a simple, pay-as-you-go service. Solar and energy efficiency projects, on the other hand, require tens of thousands of dollars up front and a […]
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Report shows how world can eliminate fossil fuels by 2090 while sustaining economic growth
We often hear about how the world "can’t" reduce emissions as much as it needs to, that we "have to" keep using coal because it’s abundant, that renewables "can’t" replace fossil fuels because of intermittency and cost, and that shifting to a clean energy economy would be "too expensive." As I’ve said here many times, […]
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Obama highlights efficiency in his network show
Everyone will have their own reaction Obama’s show on network TV tonight. I’ll just comment on one bit. As prelude, remember that a) efficiency is the fastest, cheapest, most economy stimulating and economy strengthening way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, b) every wonk in the world is obsessed with efficiency, c) reporters don’t understand it […]
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Umbra on unused fireplaces
Dear Umbra, We have a gas fireplace and a new baby girl, so we have decided to not use the fireplace this winter. What is the best way to keep the cold air from coming in through the fireplace? JeffRochester, N.Y. Dearest Jeff, First of all, congratulations! There are “hearth gates” one can use to […]
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Sometimes the issue with a particular technology is the technology itself
In arguing for efficiency mandates, Joe Romm notes the failings of carbon pricing as a solution to climate change: That means a price of $400 a metric ton of carbon (whether achieved through a tax or a cap & trade system) would increase the price of gasoline a mere $1 a gallon. How much efficiency […]
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ACEEE was doing state-level efficiency studies before state-level efficiency studies were cool
Everyone’s buzzing about the new study out of UC-Berkeley showing that California’s energy-efficiency measures have created 1.5 million jobs and saved residents $56 billion in energy costs since 1972. (See Joe Romm’s breakdown, or Brad’s.) Turns out efficiency works! While it’s on everyone’s mind, I’d also direct your attention to "More Jobs and Greater Total […]
