eia.gov, 11/3/2020. In 2019, consumption of renewable energy in the United States grew for the fourth year in a row, reaching a record 11.5 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), or 11% of total U.S. energy consumption. The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) new U.S. renewable energy consumption by source and sector chart published in the Monthly Energy Review shows … Read more
Brian McCowan, ERS Halloween has its roots in the Celtic traditional celebration of Samhain, which first took place during the Iron Age (considered to be about 800 BC to 100 AD) in what is now Ireland and Scotland. Samhain began as a collection of rituals that recognized the end of summer, the completion of crop … Read more
Max Ma and Amanda Gasse, ERS Question: Plug loads are one of the fastest growing sources of energy use in commercial buildings today. In offices, they account for 15%–20% of office electricity use. Due to COVID-19, commercial office building owners report that offices have not returned to normal occupancy levels. Yet tenants report that, while … Read more
Alex Schultz, ERS With fall comes cooler weather, apple cider, and Halloween décor: 151.95 million Americans plan to carve a pumpkin this year. Jack-o-lanterns provide a festive look to any front door, but they also represent a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions as they decompose. Talk about spooky! When a pumpkin ends up in … Read more
Kelly O’Connell, ERS Halloween is the time for scary movies, spooky decorations, and horror-inspired costumes. Although many celebrations are going to look a little different this year, we want to share some ideas for costumes that are actually scary and spread climate change awareness simultaneously! What’s better than nonconfrontationally sharing information through a creative costume? … Read more
ammonia21.com, 10/12/2020. New York (U.S.) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on September 23 during Climate Week NYC 2020 that new regulations have been finalized to significantly reduce the use of HFCs in the state in the absence of federal regulations of the climate-warming gases. The New York regulations, originally proposed in 2018, will adopt 2015 and 2016 rules … Read more
energyefficiencyday.org, 10/7/2020. Working from home, teaching children from your kitchen table, enrolling for classes online, and/or streaming more entertainment? COVID-19 means residential energy usage is higher than normal. Homes that are less efficient may lead to particularly high spikes in monthly bills. Energy audits that reveal the areas where energy is escaping are more important … Read more
coloradodaily.com, 10/6/2020. Jack’s Solar Garden LLC, a solar energy company, celebrated the opening of its five-acre, 1.2-megawatt solar panel and agriculture farm Friday near Longmont. Art, music and conversations about renewable energy occurred underneath the farm’s 8-foot-tall panels. The family-owned and operated company has been working on this project for several years. It’s owned by … Read more
renewableenergyworld.com, 10/5/2020. New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced yesterday the Career Pathway Training Partnerships program, a new initiative that will train workers in high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning and electric heat pump technologies. The program will target training over 1,000 workers and prioritize low-income New Yorkers and those residing in environmental justice communities, … Read more
aceee.org, 10/01/2020. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) moved one step closer today to blocking a future administration from cutting the amount of natural gas wasted by furnaces and water heaters. Two of the biggest energy needs in most buildings are heating the air and heating the water. According to DOE, they together account for 62% … Read more