Energy FAQs
At Home
Don't we need more energy sources to support economic growth? How much did California spend on energy? $7 billion in 1999, $27 billion in 2000, and up to $60 billion in 2001.
Hybrid car fleet
Consider, for example, that if only one of every 25 vehicles in California today were a fuel-cell vehicle, their combined generation capacity would exceed that of the state's utility grid. Scientific American, October 2002, pg. 73
Regarding automotive fuel-cell technology, "costs have begun to decline dramatically. For instance, the 10-fold increase in the power density of fuel-cell stacks achieved over the past five years has been accompanied by a 10-fold decrease in their cost." Scientific American, October 2002, pg. 69
The U.S. Army and General Motors are interested in the ability of fuel-cell vehicles to double as electrical generators. See this article on a GM military hybrid truck and GM military fuel-cell truck .
Some of the advantages of fuel-cell cars is that they are clean,
reliable and quiet.
The fuel cell APU, designed and built by Hydrogenics, is a 5-kilowatt
proton exchange membrane (PEM) regenerative fuel cell system capable of
producing electricity and hydrogen in remote areas. Today's Army uses
extensive surveillance and communications electronics to accomplish its
missions on tomorrow's battlefields. These electronics must be powered
quietly for long periods of time in a manner that is undetectable by
the enemy.
DWP Rebate Program
The Los Angeles DWP has a program to offer rebates for energy efficiency for appliances and home improvements.GREENLA
The Green LA program from the DWP offers rebates and incentives for improving water and energy efficiency.SOLAR REBATE PROGRAM
See the DWP Solar rebate program and ask that they extend the program.California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission offers information and rebates on energy saving products and practices. And see the Consumer Energy Center for information on rebates, renewable energy resources and tax credits. See especially renewable energy choices.California: The 20% Solution
The California 20% solution to saving engery efficiently.Questions and Answers: California Gasoline Price Increases
Questions and Answers.Home Energy Briefs
A practical guide from RMI on what the average homeowner can do to reduce energy costs.
For more information...
- National Energy Security Act of 2001 factsheet
- Earth
Day 2001 factsheet and see how clean energy policies would create 1.4
million new jobs.
- Renewable Energy Factsheet
- So.
Cal. Gas Pricesfor AAA members
- Rocky Mountain Institute Library of articles
- Oil endgame: Making America
Oil Free
- RMI Library
- Energy Links
- Other Educational Links