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Category Archives: Energy

Effects of Regional Temperature on Electric Vehicle Efficiency, Range, and Emissions in the US

Effects of Regional Temperature on Electric Vehicle Efficiency, Range, and Emissions in the United States. Tugce Yuksel and Jeremy J Michalek.  Environ. Sci. Technol., Just Accepted Manuscript DOI: 10.1021/es505621s Publication Date (Web): February 11, 2015. “We characterize the effect of regional temperature differences on battery electric vehicle (BEV) efficiency, range, and use-phase CO2 emissions in… Continue Reading

PSE Citation Database on Shale & Tight Gas Development

“This citation database provides bibliographic information, abstracts, and links to many of the vetted scientific papers housed in the PSE Healthy Energy Library, as well as other peer-reviewed journal articles. This database is a near exhaustive and evolving list of the peer-reviewed literature that directly pertains to shale and tight gas development. This literature is organized… Continue Reading

Analysis of the oil and gas industry’s case for fracking

The Public Accountability Initiative (PAI) Report – Frackademia in Depth: “In the wake of New York State’s decision to ban fracking, drilling proponents have criticized Governor Andrew Cuomo and his administration for basing the decision on “pseudo science” and “junk science.” When asked about the New York fracking ban at his 2015 “State of American… Continue Reading

What is the Smart Grid?

“Maybe you have heard of the Smart Grid on the news or from your energy provider. But not everyone knows what the grid is, let alone the Smart Grid. “The grid,” refers to the electric grid, a network of transmission lines, substations, transformers and more that deliver electricity from the power plant to your home… Continue Reading

Proposed efficiency standard may eliminate noncondensing gas furnaces

EIA: “Following a court challenge that caused a previous proposal to be sent back for further analysis, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a new proposed rulemaking to increase the minimum efficiency standards for gas furnaces, which are mostly fueled by natural gas but also include propane furnaces. Gas furnaces are one of… Continue Reading

Final Assessment: What We Have Learned From Our Inspections of Incinerators and Use of Burn Pits in Afghanistan

“This report presents SIGAR’s final assessment of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) use of incinerators and open-air burn pits to dispose of solid waste in Afghanistan. The facts and concluding observations contained in this report are based on inspections conducted by SIGAR between October 2012and June 2014 at Camp Leatherneck, Forward Operating Base Salerno, Forward… Continue Reading

Unprecedented 21st century drought risk in the American Southwest and Central Plains

Benjamin I. Cook, Toby R. Ault, Jason E. Smerdon. Science Advances 01 Feb 2015: Vol. 1 no. 1 e1400082. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1400082.  “In the Southwest and Central Plains of Western North America, climate change is expected to increase drought severity in the coming decades. These regions nevertheless experienced extended Medieval-era droughts that were more persistent than… Continue Reading

First Clothes Dryers to Earn EPA’s Energy Star Label Now Available Nationwide

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Energy Star certified clothes dryers are now available nationwide through major retailers. At least 45 models of dryers earning the Energy Star label, including Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, LG, and Safemate, are at least 20 percent more efficient and now available at prices comparable to standard dryers. “Dryers… Continue Reading

Japan plans to restart some nuclear plants in 2015 after Fukushima shutdown

EIA: “Previously one of the world’s largest producers of nuclear-generated electricity, Japan has relied heavily on fossil fuels following the meltdown at Fukushima Dai-ichi and subsequent shutdown of the country’s nuclear fleet. In 2013, when almost all of Japan’s nuclear fleet was shut down, more than 86% of Japan’s generation mix was composed of fossil… Continue Reading

Using ESPCs to Finance Federal Investments in Energy-Efficient Equipment

CBO Report – “A variety of laws and executive orders require federal agencies to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities and to pursue a range of other energy-related goals. Because the availability of annual appropriations is limited, the Administration encourages federal agencies to use other types of financing—such as energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs)—to… Continue Reading

U.S. Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing: Industry Trends, Global Competition

U.S. Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing: Industry Trends, Global Competition, Federal Support. Michaela D. Platzer, Specialist in Industrial, Organization and Business. January 27, 2015. “Every President since Richard Nixon has sought to increase U.S. energy supply diversity. Job creation and the development of a domestic renewable energy manufacturing base have joined national security and environmental concerns as… Continue Reading