Get Energy Smart! NOW!

One Senator has chosen to pay attention to The Solar Decathlon on the Mall and issue a challenge. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has issued A Challenge to Universities. He opened with a strong statement of praise and support for The Solar Decathlon. Every two years at this time of year, an exciting thing happens on […]

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When considering those fighting against a clean energy future, you have to wonder whether they are Neanderthal or have advanced to the stage meriting description as Cro-Magnon. Meet Your Own Caveman, which might include Rep Frank Wolf (R-VA-11) or Rep John Shimkus (R-IL) or …

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This is a question that came into my inbox amid an exchange about the CARS Program: Is it worth $2000 to the country to increase the MPG of one vehicle by say 10 mpg? Of course, that is a stove piped question (and somewhat out of context one as that increased MPG, by the way, […]

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My pencil broke … The library was closed … My alarm clock didn’t go off … Car had a flat tire … The dog ate my homework … Excuses. Excuses. Excuses. Excuses … When it comes to the fraudulent letters sent to members of Congress against clean energy action by Bonner & Associates on behalf […]

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While the Cash for Clunkers (CARS Program) should be extended, we have to be clear here: this is an economic stimulus and jobs program which happens to have some energy security and environmental benefits.  Yet, the Obama Administration (Office of Management and Budget?) was the power behind the scenes in seeing that the funding stream […]

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A rough rule of thumb is that energy efficiency requires investment upfront (investment isn’t only cash, but also thinking) for lower costs into the future.  Thus, energy efficiency is a central arena where thinking “cost to buy” often conflicts with more sensible thinking about “cost to own” (CtB v CtO).  And, when it comes to […]

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As discussed yesterday, the pro-coal astroturf American Coalition for Clean-Coal Electricity (ACCCE) stated that it was “outraged” that its contractor, Donner & Associates had forged (oops, that an intern or temp or contract employee, no longer with the group had forged) letters from two minority organizations to Representative Tom Perriello trying to create a (false) […]

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For far too long and far too extensively, various industries have used astroturfing methods to distort public debate. They create false groups. They fund “institutions” with impressive sounding names to spout deceptive propaganda.  All of this is fraud, outright fraud on the very concept of intelligent discourse in a civil society.  Now, this “fraud” typical […]

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Referred to as ‘sausage making’, the legislative process isn’t pretty (despite those beautiful Rose Garden signing sessions). And, too often, the result from the legislative process isn’t pretty. And, where the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act has gone isn’t pretty and the potential paths forward make it far too likely to end […]

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Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) loves Twitter. And, on more than one occasion, her off-the-cuff comments have caused some uproar. Not the excited notes from a sports fan (shared her same sentiments at that one), but off-hand comments about major policy issues that suggest potentially recklessly shallow understanding of critical issues. After the House voted to […]

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