Total Resource Cost Test – Less than Total is Better??

by Jeff Ihnen | Nov 2, 2015 | Energy Rant

I spent considerable time a year ago figuring out the various cost effectiveness tests that are applied to energy efficiency programs.  Since they are so bizarre, it took me almost an hour again to relearn it.  Thankfully, I documented it in language I can understand,...

Clean Power Plan Arms Race

by Jeff Ihnen | Apr 27, 2015 | Energy Rant

I imagine the EPA is working feverishly on their final ruling for the Clean Power Plan (proposed under the Clean Air Act), due this June.  Meanwhile, many states and one prominent company, Murray Energy, are digging in to do legal battle for decades to come,...

Clean Power Plan and the Heat Rate Fairy

by Jeff Ihnen | Dec 1, 2014 | Energy Efficiency, Energy Rant

As you must know, the EPA’s release of its Clean Power Plan on June 2nd of this year includes four “building blocks” to achieve a 30% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, using a reference year of 2005.  Those building blocks are as follows: Improve the heat...

Clean Power Plan & 111(d)

by Jeff Ihnen | Nov 10, 2014 | Energy Rant

Last week I attended the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) conference in Atlanta.  With that, I have a confession to make: I rarely sit and listen to speakers or take notes either because there is nothing new[1], and there is rarely any sort of technical or...

Electricity from Natural Gas – The Game Changer; I’ll Say!

by Jeff Ihnen | Sep 29, 2014 | Energy Efficiency, Energy Rant

Last week, I mentioned that having a diversified fleet of power generating plants is a smart strategy for any utility; specifically, diversity by fuel source.  The recent natural gas bonanza cut loose with the perfection of hydraulic fracturing and mind-blowing...