By Institute for Energy Research ——Bio and Archives--January 20, 2011
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As a result of these and other adjustments, energy savings attributed to PG&E were pegged at 451.6 million kilowatt hours by regulators, or 73% less than the 1.7 billion kilowatt hours projected by PG&E for the 2006-2008 program.And:
One hitch was the compact-fluorescent burnout rate. When PG&E began its 2006-2008 program, it figured the useful life of each bulb would be 9.4 years. Now, with experience, it has cut the estimate to 6.3 years, which limits the energy savings. Field tests show higher burnout rates in certain locations, such as bathrooms and in recessed lighting. Turning them on and off a lot also appears to impair longevity.In the end, there might be a sliver lining to California’s chronic budget debacles: the state might default and the lights will be turned off; saving energy, money and the consumer from unintended consequences of central plans. I hope Sacramento’s next bright idea stays just that, an idea and not public policy.
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