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Three Tax Reforms to Encourage Modernization of the Manufacturing Sector
Much of the equipment and production processes in America’s factories are decades old and not as efficient as modern equipment and processes in use by many of our international competitors. While some factories have been modernized, many have not....
Impacts of the Upcoming Election on Energy Efficiency
With the election approaching and the parameters of the race becoming clearer, I thought now is a good time to reflect on the implications of this election for energy efficiency.Following the election, control in Washington is likely to be split—...
Yes, U.S. Oil and Gas Production Is Increasing, but Energy Efficiency Is Still the Number One Resource
A variety of recent articles have trumpeted how U.S. oil and gas production is up. For example, Daniel Yergin, in a New York Times op ed, notes that U.S. oil production has increased 1.6 million barrels per day since 1998 and that a further 0....
How Tax Reform Could Remove Barriers to Energy Efficiency Investments
“Tax reform” is becoming one of the key catchphrases this election season. With support from both Democrats and Republicans, actual work on legislation is likely to take place in 2013. Key elements of reform are likely to include simplifying the tax...
Energy Efficiency in 2012: Forecast Is Mostly Sunny
Looking forward into 2012, I see more reasons for optimism than pessimism. Many states and utilities are committed to ramping up their energy efficiency programs this year and even more are considering similar steps. For example, Massachusetts...
Energy Efficiency in 2011: Progress on Many Fronts, Treading Water on Others
With 2011 drawing to a close, now is a good time to take stock of energy efficiency accomplishments over the past year. On the plus side, many energy efficiency investments were made this year. While exact figures are not available yet, utility-...
Appropriations Bill Amendment Attempts To Derail Efficient Lighting
It is unfortunate that some members of Congress have inserted a provision in the federal appropriations bill seeking to derail implementation of lighting efficiency standards enacted in 2007 and signed by then-President Bush. Contrary to...
EIA: Energy Efficiency Can Reduce Emissions, the Cost of a Clean Energy Standard
On November 30, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released an Analysis of Impacts of a Clean Energy Standard. The study was requested by Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The analysis...
Federal Energy Efficiency Legislation Slowly Moving Forward, but Will the Clock Run Out?
In recent months, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has been steadily reporting out legislation on a bipartisan basis. Included are bills to: Enact a series of consensus appliance and equipment efficiency standards, building on...
Comprehensive Energy Legislation Unlikely, But Opportunities for Individual Measures May Be on the Horizon
In an earlier blog post I noted that June was likely to be a critical month for possible federal energy legislation. It now looks like June will be consumed with work on the long-term federal budget and raising the federal debt ceiling, crowding out...
Is It True That the More Efficient a Product Becomes, the More Its Owner Will Use It?
Two recent articles have argued that as the energy efficiency of products improve, it becomes less expensive to operate these products and as a result, people increase their use of these products, increasing energy use and potentially wiping out the...
