Get Energy Smart! NOW!

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) today released proposed rules for implementating the increase in CAFE standards, beyond the Congressional mandate, as announced this past May. In short, this deal between the Obama Administration and the auto industry accelerates the improvement in light vehicle fuel efficiency across the fleet average (the […]

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Shocklingly unreported by most of the nation’s media, easily 100 people collapsed outside Salt Lake City’s Gallivan Center.  Exact numbers are hard to come by,  but this tragic moment sends a signal of a much larger catastrophe that will kill millions and, without action, billions in the years to come.  The bodies on the ground […]

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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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A Fish Out of Water struggles to survive, finding a path toward a safer environment. FishOutofWater is a thoughtful, engaged scientist, passionately struggling to help us find our way toward a prosperous, climate-friendly future. Here is a guest post laying out how, with just two renewable sources, the United States could power its way out […]

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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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When writing a review, the desired state is to write positive; hopefully having had an excellent experience with, then, the pleasure of sharing that with others. Sadly, not all life’s experiences are joyful. Rik DeGunther has an empire of Energy for Dummies books. He writes well. And, it is clear that he has real knowledge. […]

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The Waxman-Markety American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) targets for renewable energy and climate emissions reductions are, to put it simply, far from what they should be. And, let’s put aside “should be”, they are far weaker than they could be. Let’s stick with 2020 targets for a moment. The bill, as passed by the […]

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Our challenges, opportunities, and solution paths are complex and interrelated. Yet, all too often, we see them individually, not linked and interacting. To Timbuk3’s My New High Efficiency Toilet, dfarrah commented I don’t have low flow shower heads, but I rinse up, turn off the water, lather up, then rinse quickly. I think this works […]

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Putting fuel efficiency feedback systems on the dashboard of every American automobile (both existing and new) could well be one of the most cost effective tools for quick reduction in America’s oil dependency and, as well, to improve traffic safety (and reduce) fatalities.   These feedback systems can be as ‘simple’ as solely providing real-time miles […]

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In a recent discussion about showers and water use, someone commented that they take (in essence) Navy showers (wet themselves, turn off water, soap, then rinse) so why would it make sense to have an efficient system. I don’t have low flow shower heads, but I rinse up, turn off the water, lather up, then […]

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