Lane Burt’s Posts

• More than just a bright idea

  New Agreement on Standards for Outdoor Lights Announced 0

  Posted 3 weeks, 1 day ago

  The Natural Resources Defense Council, along with our fellow efficiency advocates, announced the results of successful negotiations with the lighting industry on standards for street lights and parking lot lights.

  Standards on outdoor lights are such a no-brainer because these lights stay on through the entire night. Daylight Saving Time brings an early end to the day and an early start to burning electricity for streetlights. More efficient technologies pay off quickly in this high use application and the savings rack up.

  Thanks to this standard, you will save money everywhere you drive or park your car. The lights along… Read More

• How bright is Energy Star?

  New reports show successes and failures of Energy Star 0

  Posted 4 weeks, 1 day agoThe media has been taking the Department of Energy to task over a recently released audit by the Inspector General which highlighted some well known shortcomings in the Energy Star program. The new DOE has vowed to take care of these problems and they are addressing the major issues and are moving forward.

• DOE and EPA Agree to Make a Brighter Energy Star 0

  Posted 1 month, 1 week ago

  Last week the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Energy Star program. Who runs Energy Star, the extremely successful program for promoting efficient appliances, equipment, and buildings, and how they run it has been a point of tension between the agencies that are jointly tasked with administering the program. Consumers now look for the Energy Star label when making a purchase and manufacturers strive to make sure their products qualify - a credit to both agencies. Success has caused growing pains and disagreements between the agencies.

  Joint administration… Read More

• New air conditioning and furnace standards mean big savings 0

  Posted 1 month, 1 week agoThe National Resources Defense Council and other efficiency groups released a negotiated agreement with manufacturers of residential air conditioners and furnaces.

• Get It Together

  Obama Tells Agencies to Shape Up on Sustainability 0

  Posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  Yesterday President Obama signed a sweeping Executive Order that instructs all agencies to step up efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and save energy and water. This isn't the first time that the inefficiency of federal facilities has received attention, but it certainly represents the strongest and broadest push towards overall sustainability given to the agencies. After all, it's tax money that pays the bill so there is no excuse for waste. The EO not only covers energy, but also water, transportation, construction waste, and procurement, all while requiring each agency to set greenhouse gas emission reductions targets within… Read More

All Posts

Lane Burt’s Recent Comments

• Click here to view comment in original post

  Cheap electricity is impossible with economic growth unless the utility pursues energy efficiency. New power plants are expensive and energy bills will go up much more than they need to unless the energy that is already being generated is used as efficiently as possible. Even folks who think they have "cheap" electricity now are paying more than they could be, if only their homes and workplaces were efficient and that last power plant didn't get built.On Why it's better to invest in efficiency than to hold electricity rates down posted 4 weeks, 1 day ago 9 Responses