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Archive for the ‘Efficiency’ Category

IEA warns we may be at the tipping point for limiting global warming

Posted in Climate Change, Efficiency, Global Warming, tagged , , , on November 12, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

The International Energy Agency warned Thursday that the world is hurtling toward irreversible climate change in its annual World Energy Outlook.  They stated that we will lose the chance to limit warming if we don’t take bold action in the next five years, spelling out the consequences if those steps aren’t taken and what needs to be [...]

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Continued Drought Concerns ERCOT for 2012

Posted in Coal Plants, Efficiency, Water, tagged , , , , , on October 19, 2011 | 1 Comment »

The worst drought in more than 50 years in Texas is expected to continue as a weak La Nina weather pattern is predicted to strengthen this winter.  Drought has already reduced cooling water needed by coal-fired power plants and may limit electric output from power plants next summer, an official from the Electric Reliability Council [...]

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Texas Politics weigh in on the cross state pollution rule once again

Posted in Air Quality, Climate Change, Coal, Efficiency, Global Warming, tagged , , , , on September 22, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

The States Attorney general is leaping into the environmental fray once again with a filing with the federal appeals court to review the new EPA regulations while the Texas house state affairs hold hearings today, but Governors Perry’s attorney and chief is taking it one step farther filing against  four different rules according to the [...]

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ERCOT calls for energy conservation this weekend

Posted in Efficiency, Global Warming, Utilities, tagged , , , , , , , on August 26, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Its predicted that the entire state will have record temperatures this weekend. Please take all measures to avoid using unnecessary energy. They might have a hurricane on the east coast but we have a heat wave in Texas and there might not be enough electricity to go around. Statement from ERCOT CEO Trip Doggett on [...]

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Big Hot Texas Sun: Problem or Resource?

Posted in Climate Change, Co-op Reform, Efficiency, Energy, Global Warming, Renewables, solar on August 11, 2011 | 3 Comments »

We’re in the midst of a heat wave and drought that are on record to be Texas’ worst in recorded history. (and now imagine if global warming actually kicked in, the way all those scientists say! *wink*) But we have a few options. Cope, adapt, or conquer. I much prefer the last solution to the [...]

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If it started raining today, how much would we need to end this drought?

Posted in Climate Change, Efficiency, Global Warming, tagged , , , on August 10, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Texas is suffering from an historic drought and one question that looms large is – how much rain will we need to actually end the drought?  And the answer is -  A LOT! The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates 12 to 15+ inches of rain (shades of purple and dark blue) is necessary [...]

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What is all this brouhaha over light bulbs?

Posted in Efficiency, tagged , , on July 16, 2011 | 1 Comment »

“In 2007, little seemed problematic about the energy-efficient light bulb or the law signed by President George W. Bush, which called for the incandescent bulb to be phased out in favor its energy-saving counterpart. But that was before the rise of the Tea Party”. So begins an article by Natasha Lennard in Salon Why is [...]

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Energy efficiency a winner in the 82nd legislative session

Posted in Efficiency, tagged , on June 30, 2011 | 2 Comments »

Governor Perry has signed into law several pieces of energy efficiency legislation.  These include: SB 1125 – changes how we measure our progress on energy efficiency from a percentage of growth in energy consumption to a percentage of peak energy usage.  Allows for greater demand side management (DSM) by allowing loads to participate in the [...]

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Texas forges ahead into the 20th Century

Posted in Efficiency, tagged , , on June 13, 2011 | 2 Comments »

Last week, Public Citizen, the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Coalition, Texas League of Conservation Voters, Environmental Defense Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council wrote to Governor Rick Perry urging him to veto House Bill 2510, “An Act relating to exempting the intrastate manufacture of certain incandescent light bulbs from federal regulation.”   House Bill [...]

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Save on Appliances This Weekend During the ENERGY STAR® Sales Tax Holiday – May 28-30, 2011

Posted in Efficiency, Energy, tagged , , on May 27, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

If you have been thinking about a new appliance, this weekend is a good time to get one, just remember to look for the energy star label and you will save dollars now and for the life of the unit. Something new for you that will help preserve our scarce resources and some cash at [...]

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$1.5 BILLION CONTRIBUTED TO TEXAS ECONOMY THROUGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS

Posted in Efficiency, tagged , , on April 19, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

The following contribution on a new Angelou Economics report showing positive economic impact to the state since 2009. is from Tod Wickersham of Businesses for an Energy Efficient Texas coalition (BEET). Texas’ energy efficiency programs have saved the state’s residents, schools and businesses money on their electric bills for years. However, a new study by noted [...]

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EPA’s Partial E15 Waiver: More ethanol?

Posted in Air Quality, Efficiency, Renewables, Transportation, tagged , , , , , on March 27, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Over the past couple of years, there has been a heated debate involving the potential EPA implementation of allowing a greater percentage of ethanol in gasoline.  The current volume percentage of ethanol allowed is 10% for vehicles made between the years 2001 and 2006. Recently, the EPA has been discussing the approval of what is [...]

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Energy self sufficiency vs. HOA control

Posted in Efficiency, Energy, Renewables, solar, tagged , , on March 4, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Several bills filed this session, which included some heard at Wednesday’s hearing of the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee would preclude homeowners’ associations from restricting installation of solar energy devices.  These are: Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) – SB 238 Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio) – SB 302 Sen. Mike Jackson (R-La Porte) – SB 447 (identical [...]

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Funds Still Available for the Texas Appliance Mail-In Rebate Program

Posted in Efficiency, recycling, tagged , , , on February 16, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

If you’ve considered participating…  Funds are still available for the Texas Appliance Mail-In Rebate Program. Texas has already approved over $12 million in rebates and funds are limited, so act soon! Funding for the program is available to Texas residential consumers on a first-received, first-issued basis according to the application’s postmark date until funds are depleted.  You [...]

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Texas Appliance rebate part II (don’t miss out on this one) !

Posted in Efficiency, Energy, recycling, tagged , , , , , on December 21, 2010 | 2 Comments »

Need a new refrigerator, washing machine, dish washer, water heater, air conditioner or heat pump? The the state has a deal for you. Texas has started another round of its energy efficient appliance rebate program. As we covered in a previous blog post this is a big, sweet deal of a rebate for new energy [...]

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