William Opalka, Author at Environment + Energy Leader

Baucus Tax Plan Would Eliminate Efficiency Breaks

December 23, 2013August 2, 2019 by William Opalka

US Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) proposed a sweeping tax reform proposal that would eliminate scores of tax breaks that promote clean energy and efficiency. The winners in the draft proposal would be low carbon emission resources and fuel incentives that would be based on greenhouse gas levels, as ... Read more »

New York Transforming Electric System

December 23, 2013 by William Opalka

The New York State Public Service Commission has started a process to transform its regulation of electric distribution utilities that includes a more mainstream inclusion of energy efficiency and renewable generation. “We can no longer afford to think of energy efficiency and clean energy resources as peripheral elements of the ... Read more »

Michigan Sets “No Regrets” Path

December 23, 2013 by William Opalka

Republican governor of Michigan Rick Snyder has set an energy policy for the state that he dubbed “no regrets.” “Michigan needs an energy policy that ensures we can be adaptable, have energy that is reliable and affordable, and protect our environment,” Snyder said in his annual energy address. “We should ... Read more »

LED Innovator Collects 100th Patent

December 23, 2013August 2, 2019 by William Opalka

Fred Maxik knows a thing or two, or perhaps 100, about LED lighting. The founder and Chief Technology Officer of Lighting Science has been awarded his 100th patent by the United States Patent & Trademark Office. This milestone marks a career of LED innovation that includes patents for the first ... Read more »

WAC Lighting Provides Energy Efficient Solution

December 23, 2013August 2, 2019 by William Opalka

The LEDme® Button Lights from WAC Lighting are designed for recessed or surface mounted cabinet applications, including luxury kitchen counters and retail displays. The new luminaires deliver strong lumen output, long lasting life and high performance. The lights deliver shadow free illumination on counter work surfaces and in display niches. ... Read more »

ACEEE Releases Utility Field Guide

December 20, 2013August 2, 2019 by William Opalka

Changing customer behavior to save energy, and utilities’ success in doing so, is the subject of a new report from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. The Field Guide to Utility-Run Behavior Programs is the first comparative analysis of utility-run behavior programs to help meet savings targets set by ... Read more »

Madison Considers Mandatory Reporting Law

December 20, 2013August 2, 2019 by William Opalka

Madison, Wisconsin, may require owners of larger commercial and apartment buildings to publicly report energy performance or face fines. The benchmarking ordinance is under consideration by legislative committees, but has generated opposition from some businesses, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Measuring a building’s annual energy performance could bring higher ... Read more »

Museums Need to Think Smaller

December 20, 2013August 2, 2019 by William Opalka

A museum official said that instead of getting larger or raising more money, these cultural institutions could get smaller so they would need less money and less natural resources. Maurice Davies, the Museums Association’s (MA) head of policy and communications, spoke at the University College London Centre for Sustainable Heritage. ... Read more »

Efficient Luminaire Introduced

December 20, 2013August 2, 2019 by William Opalka

LaMar Lighting has introduced DS-LED, a dual sensor luminaire with an optional 90-minute emergency battery pack to its Occu-smart line of bi-level lighting. It operates at 20 percent power and consumes as little as 5 watts in standby mode, offering sufficient illumination for stairwells, corridors, conference and utility rooms and ... Read more »

Is Widespread Adoption of Net-Zero Energy Possible?

December 20, 2013August 2, 2019 by William Opalka

Buildings in the European Union represent about 40 percent of the EU’s energy consumption and produce about 36 percent of its total CO2 emissions. So renovation of existing buildings is necessary for energy savings and greenhouse gases reduction. Renovations of entire districts, designed to reach near zero energy consumption need to ... Read more »

Mongoose LED Luminaires Introduced

December 20, 2013August 2, 2019 by William Opalka

Acuity Brands Inc. introduced new LED luminaires that reduce energy and maintenance costs while providing a bright white light. The Mongoose® LED Roadway and Area Lighting luminaires? from Holophane® reduce energy expenses and CO2 emissions by up to 60 percent, and maintenance costs by more than 50 percent for new ... Read more »

California Sets Path for Cleaner Resources

December 19, 2013 by William Opalka

Demand response and energy efficiency hold the key to California’s electric power system, so says the California Independent System Operator in a roadmap released this week. Smart grid technologies such as DR and EE are key elements in the “Demand Response and Energy Efficiency Roadmap: Maximizing Preferred Resources.” The California ... Read more »

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