Fortnightly Magazine - April 1 2003

Feel-Good Electric Waste

Like diets that make us fat, efficiency is bad for the environment.

The last 30 years in America have seen great improvements in the energy efficiency of electric motors, appliances, and other end-use equipment. Think of compact fluorescents, ground-source heat pumps, and thermal window glazing. Add variable speed drives, chilled water AC, and high-pressure sodium street lighting. You name it, we've got it.

V