Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Sub-Metering On Condominium Electricity Demand, Donald Dewees, Trevor Tombe

Trevor Tombe

With a substantial fraction of the population insulated from energy price signals in bulk-metered apartment and condominium buildings, some jurisdictions are exploring mandatory metering of individual suites to encourage electricity conservation. This study finds that sub-metering in a Toronto condominium building reduces electricity usage by 20 percent. However, the costs of metering and customer service largely offset the electricity cost savings, and so the private net benefits are small or negative. The social net benefits depend strongly on the value assigned to externalities from generation. Social net benefits in our baseline results are closer to 5 percent than to 20 …

Energy Efficiency And Conservation: New Legal Tools And Opportunities, John Dernbach, Robert Mckinstry, Darin Lowder

John C. Dernbach

Many new and ambitious energy efficiency and conservation laws are being enacted at all levels of government—and with greater financial incentives than provided previously. These innovations are intended to overcome or minimize market barriers such as principal-agent problems, information and transaction costs, high internal discount rates, and up-front capital needs that discourage cost-saving investments. Innovations such as public-private partnerships also require significant legal input and creativity for the client to reap the often remarkably large energy and cost savings. This article reviews a range of these tools, especially financial legal mechanisms, that could help significantly reduce U.S. energy consumption.

A Megújuló Energiák Kitermelésének Káros Hatásairól, Milan Meszaros

Milan Meszaros physicist

Sajnos, manapság –szakértõk és laikusok között egyaránt– trendi (fõ áramvonalbeli) nézet, hogy úgy tekintenek a megújuló energiaforrásokra, mint valami megváltóra, amely képes megoldani az emberiség energia gondjait. Ebben a meglehetõsen tudománytalan és felelõtlen nézetben a hívõk –hallgatólagos evidenciával– úgy tekintenek a megújuló energiákra, hogy kitermelésüknek természeti-környezeti következményei fel sem merülnek. A “farkasvakság” oly mértékû, hogy nincs ma a világon egyetlen kutató, személy vagy politikus stb., egyetlen egyetem, kutató intézet, tudományos akadémia vagy más intézmény, amely legalább a következõ elemi szintû kérdéseket feltenné: 1. A megújuló energiák nagyobb mértékû kitermelésének vannak-e káros természeti-környezeti következményei? 2. Ha vannak, mik azok? 3. A …

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions By Inducing Energy Conservation And Distributed Generation From Elimination Of Electric Utility Customer Charges, Joshua M. Pearce, Paul J. Harris

Joshua M. Pearce

Energy Conservation From Systematic Tire Pressure Regulation, Joshua M. Pearce, Jason T. Hanlon

Joshua M. Pearce

Stabilizing And Then Reducing U.S. Energy Consumption: Legal And Policy Tools For Efficiency And Conservation, John Dernbach

John C. Dernbach

Rising global demand for energy, high energy prices, climate change, and the threat of terrorism all point to the need for greater energy efficiency and conservation in the United States. While technological innovation is plainly needed, our laws and institutional arrangements must also play an important role. The United States has scores of legal and policy tools from which to choose to improve energy efficiency and curb energy consumption. This article evaluates a handful of these tools: transit-oriented development; fuel taxation; real-time pricing for electricity use; public benefit funds; improved efficiency in existing residential and commercial buildings; and expanded use …

Energy Service Companies As A Component Of A Comprehensive University Sustainability Strategy, Joshua M. Pearce, Laural L. Miller

Joshua M. Pearce

Planning For Energy Conservation, David A. Bainbridge

David A Bainbridge

City planning can provide multiple benefits by considering energy conservation, solar orientation and local resource harvesting. Narrower streets reduce construction costs, reduce urban heat island impacts and are safer. Above ground drainage reduces costs and returns rainwater to groundwater.