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Energy Efficiency Policy Under Trump (Part I: A Mixed Bag in the Swamp)

By <a class="post-author" href="/about#m_krebs">Mark Krebs</a> -- December 8, 2020

“DOE acknowledged that if non-condensing gas appliances were eliminated, there would likely be extensive problems (e.g., economics and safety); especially in the case of existing buildings whose venting systems are not designed for lower vent temperatures associated with condensing furnaces and water heaters.”

“… an undersurface administrative state has steadily entrenched its ‘virtuous cycle’ for energy efficiency that limits consumer choice and costs them dearly.”

While hopes were high for the Trump Administration to provide common-sense, market-based regulatory reform at all levels of the Federal government, the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) fell short. There have been some relatively bright spots, and maybe more to come in the next weeks. But the performance of Trump’s appointees to EERE was meh.

The underwhelming performance can be attributed in part to a very late start getting new appointments.…

Gas Industry to DOE: Don’t Ban Non-condensing Gas Appliances

By <a class="post-author" href="/about#m_krebs">Mark Krebs</a> -- November 16, 2020

“DOE acknowledged that if non-condensing gas appliances were eliminated, there would likely be extensive problems (e.g., economics and safety); especially in the case of existing buildings whose venting systems are not designed for lower vent temperatures associated with condensing furnaces and water heaters.”

The energy-efficiency intelligensia argues that that if DOE were to go ahead with its “tentative” conclusions, non-condensing gas appliances would survive and even thrive to hurt consumers and the climate. Don’t believe the demand-side Malthusians.

Last week at MasterResource, I posted a comment to “Waste? Speak for Yourself (energy appliance mandates anti-consumer, pro-bureaucrat)” that described the close relationships between the energy-use activists and DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE). My post today explains the gas-industry petition that continues to trigger the statist energy planners.…

Stimulus IV: Last Chance for the Green New Deal?

By <a class="post-author" href="/about#m_krebs">Mark Krebs</a> -- April 2, 2020

Don’t forget that just before the World was upended by coronavirus, we had another deep-decarbonization electrification bill: the 555-page American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA). 

Since “clean energy” unfairly discriminates against the leading (and clean) alternatives to electricity, this is contrary to the best interests of free markets and providing affordable energy for consumers.

Yes; another “stimulus” bill is possible and perhaps even likely. Expect Nancy Pelosi’s “Green New Deal” to be part of this effort given that the Senate and the President said NO to subsidies for solar panels and wind turbines in the CARES Act

Numerous special interests didn’t get their piece of the pie and were promised another shot in order to move the CARES Act out of the Senate.  It’s all politics, not consumer economics, for the pack of lobbyists in an election year, trading campaign contributions for legislative favors.…

DOE Revisits Forced Electrification (Decarbonization) Rules re Non-condensing Furnaces, Water Heaters

By <a class="post-author" href="/about#m_krebs">Mark Krebs</a> -- August 1, 2019

Costing the Green New Deal and “Deep Decarbonization”: Some Clarifications

By <a class="post-author" href="/about#m_krebs">Mark Krebs</a> -- July 11, 2019

Hearing Summary: “Wasted Energy: DOE’s Inaction on Efficiency Standards & Its Impact on Consumers and the Climate”

By <a class="post-author" href="/about#m_krebs">Mark Krebs</a> -- March 12, 2019

Behind the IPCC Curtain: the Costs of Climate Mitigation Policy

By <a class="post-author" href="/about#m_krebs">Mark Krebs</a> -- October 18, 2018

Paris Lives! “Deep Decarbonization” at DOE

By <a class="post-author" href="/about#m_krebs">Mark Krebs</a> -- June 28, 2018

Estimating Costs of Deep Decarbonization (California and beyond)

By <a class="post-author" href="/about#m_krebs">Mark Krebs</a> -- May 22, 2018

Update: ‘Is DOE Leading Us Astray?’ (A 1999 analysis revisited)

By <a class="post-author" href="/about#m_krebs">Mark Krebs</a> -- April 5, 2018