It's hard to capture absence...
CNN can't play a soundbite of an air conditioner not running, and the Washington Post probably won't print a photo of an unplugged cell phone charger.
But on February 5, President Obama painted the vivid picture of an American economy strengthened by the energy we don't use.
It's a different kind of stimulus, where incremental amounts of power savings add up to both economic relief and fresh capital for reinvestment.
Efficiency Is No Joke
The GOP is doing its best to excise parts of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the "stim" package's legal name), pointing to particular projects as inexpedient or even silly.
National park improvements, family planning funding, and the purchase of hybrid autos for federal service fleets are all extraneous, and the benefits would be too long-term, we're told.
I've seen this movie before.
Back in August 2008, then-Senator and candidate Obama was mocked by McCain supporters for suggesting that regular tune-ups and proper tire pressure in cars and trucks could do a lot to alleviate our energy costs and concerns.
"My friends, this is laughable of course... but it's stupid!" Rush Limbaugh roared.
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Well, Obama's "hot air" plan was shared by energy aficionados across a broad spectrum, from Nobel Prize-winning Energy Secretary Steven Chu to NASCAR pit chiefs.
Fast-forward to this Thursday at the Department of Energy, where the President announced 9 types of energy-guzzling household and industrial appliances whose efficiency the DoE will tighten. They include:
- Ovens
- Vending machines
- Microwave ovens
- Dishwashers
- Lamps
- Commercial boilers
- Commercial air conditioning units
- Light bulbs
Efficiency Stimulus... Demand Response
Now, the new administration seems to have put itself in a bipartisan straitjacket in regards to the actual stimulus plan...
But energy efficiency is a major area where the White House can make some moves by itself. The late-January instruction issued to EPA lawyers to review waivers on auto fuel efficiency was the first in what is now clearly a series of steps towards greater energy savings as part of a comprehensive energy strategy.
In fact, the DoE talk didn't just touch on Obama's energy plans. The President used the platform to push back on economic recovery issues where the opposition has demonstrated a lack of foresight and new thinking.
In his book Investing in Renewable Energy, my colleague Jeff Siegel explores the concept of a negawatt, introduced in 1989 by energy expert Amory Lovins.
Negawatts, in a nutshell, refer to strategic energy savings through grid optimization and common-sense steps like turning off your computer.
We don't blame President Obama for not referring to negawatts, as the public seems to have little appetite for the abstract and is much more keen on political action to restore the economy.
For investors, though, efficiency is a pivotal progress area that will expand research and business opportunities for new energy companies.
Next week, Nick Hodge will push further past even negawatts of energy savings, to a situation that is already a reality for some renewable energy consumers who sell their surplus capacity to the local grid.
Utilities call it Demand Response. For households, it's Net Metering, and by investing in companies that capitalize and the savings you accrue, it could make you a fortune.
Have a great weekend,
Sam Hopkins
International Editor
PS. Nick is already guiding thousands of readers to profits via energy efficiency companies and other firms benefiting from all the 'green' programs in the new stimulus. In fact, he closed out three positions this morning for a total gain of 65.33%. And there's much, much more to come. Click here to ensure you receive Nick's next winning recommendation.
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Its really important the practice of these negawatts as same as the use of the different alternative energies you promote in your letters. The world is in desperate need for action on this matter and Mr Obama is taking the bull by the horns as Mr Roosvelt took it in times of war; a war between the power behind the old money and the new one to come.
Thanks againfor your input
Best of success
Augusto
Now that "your man" on Pennsylvania Ave. has taken over, we can expect the government to dictate what will be done. When the market place gets control, as it will, we'll see real improvement. Some good ideas here, but you don't throw the baby out with the bath water !
The most important paragraph in this info,is the last! Your disclaimer! It is, after all, make money time. By the way, obama doesn't think of these things he's machine politician who gets his "strings" pulled by others ! Let's quit the kidding around the election, and the fools who are allowed to voted have had their way. Half of them who didn't even know who he was running with.
Sincerely, Ivan Filippov
1. 51¢ per gallon federal blenders credit for $2.5 billion = your tax dollars.
2. $0.9 billion in corn subsidies to farmers for ethanol corn = your tax dollars.
3. $3.6 billion extra paid at the pump. This is still after your tax subsidy.
That's ridiculous when you figure it only made us 1.1% more energy independent and only reduced US greenhouse gases by 1/19 of 1%.
All those subsidies and Verasun still goes bankrupt.
Face the facts...Allowing the free market to work freely without subsidies is still the only way to get to efficient energy independence that works.
Good investments do not necessarily make for job creation which is what is needed now. In many cases good investments are good for the investor only because they reduce jobs.
As an investor information source, The Green Chip Review is a useful source. As an economic recovery plan for the country, it is a selfish "rich kids" only planning system.
American Standard Inc. developed a packaged water chiller in a tonnage range of 60 to 145 that used an AC generator driven by local power, usually an electric motor, although some times a different prime mover, to generate 480 volts, 3 phase, with voltage constant regardless of the actual load. There were no brushes in this design.
Solid state inverters exist that can easily convert solar panel DC to AC at any voltage and any frequency.
There is no demonstrated reason to create a DC distribution grid, but the powerful magnetic field and the heat that would be generated by a high voltage, high amperage
DC distribution grid is a powerful dis-incentive.