21 Mar 2008
The Revised Ozone Standard:
Simple math and simple constitutional law
by Richard Belzer
in Regulatory Science, Regulatory Policy
The Washington Post's environment reporter says EPA has weakened the national ambient air quality quality standard for ozone. Given that the standard is going down, what does she mean? More...
12 Mar 2008
The Haze of Carbon Dioxide
According to the Washington Post, anyway
by Richard Belzer
in Regulatory Economics, Regulatory Policy, Regulatory Science
The Washington Post says carbon dioxide is visible to the naked eye. More...
8 Mar 2008
Virginia's New "Voluntary Tax" on Its "Bad" Drivers, Part 4:
The backlash wins
by Richard Belzer
in Regulatory Economics, Regulatory Policy
Washington Post staff writer Tim Craig reports that the Virginia legislature is expected to repeal the law that authorized the voluntary tax on bad Virginia drivers. The action follows a Virgina Supreme Court decision issued on February 29 declaring unconstitutional the legislature's other 2006 transportation policy innovation -- the creation of unelected regional authorities with the power to levy taxes. More...
6 Mar 2008
Energy Star Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs:
EPA's savings calculator exaggerates savings
by Richard Belzer
in Regulatory Economics
Following up on yesterday's post, we now look at compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs. June Fletcher of the Wall Street Journal reported that the payback period for CFLs is "about four months." She provided no source for this figure. More...
5 Mar 2008
Energy Star Appliances:
EPA's savings calculator exaggerates savings
by Richard Belzer
in Regulatory Economics
Wall Street Journal reporter June Fletcher says (link temporarily available to nonsubscribers) it's not easy being green at home because a lot of heavily-promoted household renovations and products cost more that they deliver in environmental benefits, including energy savings. "Most homeowners like the idea of going green," she writes, " -- until they get the bill.
With home sales slumping and consumers rethinking their remodeling budgets, building contractors and suppliers are dangling green upgrades. They hope that energy-efficient systems and products made from sustainably harvested materials will hook consumers concerned about global warming, pollution and natural resources.Some consumers are willing to pay for green goods and services even if they are not cost-effective. Making significant headway into the market, however, requires that they demonstrate cost-effectiveness. Fletcher says there are two examples of green products that pass this test: home appliances and comfact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs. Citing estimates from US EPA's Energy Star web site, Fletcher says Energy Star clothes washers and refrigerators have a "relatively short payback" of 3.5 years and 3.1 years, respectively, and that CFLs "pay back their extra cost in about four months."
Yet with a few exceptions, green materials and construction cost extra, making them a hard sell. Enermodal Engineering, a Canada-based consulting firm, estimates the premium at 5% to 10%, depending on how extensively a builder uses recycled materials and water- and energy-efficient products. When Specpan, an Indianapolis research firm, surveyed builders recently for Building Products magazine, the greatest number estimated a 10% to 19% cost increase when going green.
Today we look at the claims for Energy Star appliances. More...
