Category Archives: Electricity

Getting paid to conserve energy

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Sarah Chain

This weekend, as I sat down to enjoy a delicious meal of spaghetti and fresh tomatoes, I noticed it was kind of hot in my apartment. And I was sweating. A lot. I tried to ignore it, since my I … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer choice, Electricity | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Energy audit — yes or no?

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Teresa Cook

I was visited recently by an eager Civic Works AmeriCorps worker for Retrofit Baltimore, a project to improve home energy efficiency while training the unemployed for green jobs. I attended the information meeting and I’m intrigued, but not ready to … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer choice, Do-It-Yourself, Electricity, Green jobs | 1 Comment

‘Changing Planet’ focuses on climate issues

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Sarah Chain

When I got home Saturday night from the York Revs game (a win!), I caught the tail-end of a program on The Weather Channel called “Changing Planet.” The moderator at this town-hall style forum polled the audience on a series … Continue reading →

Posted in Electricity, Government policy | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pennsylvania second on list of “Toxic 20″

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Teresa Cook

Residents of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida live in states with the most toxic air pollution from coal- and oil-fired power plants, according to an analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The study used publicly available data in the Environmental … Continue reading →

Posted in Electricity, Government policy | Leave a comment

Light bulb follow-up

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Sarah Chain

If you’re in favor of the federal standards that will phase out incandescent light bulbs in favor of compact fluorescent bulbs (and don’t view it as an attack on your right to choose, as some people apparently do), or even … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer choice, Electricity, Local events | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Give me liberty, and give me my light bulbs’

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Sarah Chain

An aptly titled article from a reporter named Annie Greenberg surfaced this week, with many people lamenting the new federal standards that will start phasing out incandescent light bulbs next year. The legislation, signed by President George W. Bush in … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer choice, Electricity, Government policy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Extreme Makeover = extreme utility bills?

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Sarah Chain

With all the excitement surrounding the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition renovations going on this week in Newberry Township, I was a bit surprised (but also glad) to see at least one organization pointing out a potential downside to a dramatic … Continue reading →

Posted in Electricity, Local events | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

High electric bill? It’s not your TV

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Sarah Chain

I can’t even remember how many times I’ve seen the commercial for a tankless hot water heater in which a woman getting ready for work leaves her hair dryer, radio, blender, lawn mower and assortment of other appliances on as … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer choice, Electricity | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stomping on your laundry

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Sarah Chain

I’ve been in the (often miserable) process of apartment hunting for about a month now, and I am hopefully just a few days away from making a decision. In between no-show appointments, closet-sized kitchens and completely running out of quarters … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer choice, Do-It-Yourself, Electricity | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Burn calories, generate electricity?

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Sarah Chain

Sometimes when I’m chugging away on the elliptical, I feel a little bit like a hamster on a wheel. I first joined a gym because I needed the added motivation of working out with a group, but sometimes I wonder … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer choice, Electricity | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment