Smart Hours in Your State

Energy consumption (i.e., electricity use) per household varies substantially in the US, with the south-central and southeastern states consuming more electrical energy per month.

Average monthly electricity consumption (kWh per household), Source: EIA

Before proceeding on this topic any further it is useful to clarify a few terms.  Power can be expressed in units of kiloWatts (kW).  Most electrically powered devices will draw a relatively constant amount of power when being operated, such as a 60 watt (W) light bulb.  Energy can be expressed in units of kilowatt-hours (kWh) or as a 'rate' of power use.  For example, a 60 W light bulb operated continuously for 24-hours will consume 60 W x 24 hr = 1440 Wh or 1.44 kWh.  Only covering that as a pre-apology for any misuse of the terms by Triple E, units of measure are more important to keep track of than the terms.  For more explanation on electricity, go to How Stuff Works, here we will focus on the practical facts.

Triple E Agent Assignment:
Chew on electricity consumption data, and identify options for greening up...

Why is there such variability in kWh per household? and what are the costs to the consumer?

Energy Independence?

The short-answer here is: the US is decreasing it's dependence on foreign oil.  The phrase 'Energy Independence' can be traced back to Richard Nixon, at a time when the US was relatively independent.  Today, the global economy and the 'American Energy Portfolio' is quite different than it was in the 1960s so the phrase implies something much different.  It has been used  to inspire patriotism, American ingenuity, or maybe just to conjur up fear in the hearts of voting members of the American public.  What is energy independence anyway?

Triple E Agent Assignment:
Examine history of oil consumption, production, and imports to the US...

What trends do we see in US energy consumption?

Brownfields Abound

Brownfields are former industrial, commercial, or other properties that are abandoned, idle or under used, and redevelopment is complicated by some form of environmental contamination. Such as the California water board site depicted in this photograph from the San Francisco Bay Area, CA (Source: www.waterboards.ca.gov). Re-use and redevelopment of a Brownfield site involves multiple steps that may include 1) Determine eligibility for state Brownfield program, 2) Receive state’s approval of site characterization work plan, 3) Complete site characterization including delineation of contamination, 4) Submit Brownfields clean-up proposal for public comment, 5) Gain approval for cleanup program, and 6) Complete remedial action.

Triple E Agent Assignment:
Refer to sources of funds for revitalizing Brownfields and EPA guidance on risk-based cleanup...

What federal and state agencies regulate Brownfield and land revitalization?

Bioremediation and Phytoremediation

There are countless pieces of land that have been contaminated by agricultural, commercial, industrial, or other activities. After a site-specific characterization, remediation technologies may be used to clean-up surface soil, water, or subsurface media. Fortunately, natural or “bio” processes are often used and enhanced to aid in the clean-up.

Plants commonly used for phytoremediation (Source: ARS.USDA.gov photo gallery)

Triple E Agent Assignment:
Describe basics of bio- and phyto- remediation...

How is this 'emerging' technology or approach being used?

Stacking Up Green Funds

Every category of investment has under-performed over the last several years, so it is difficult to be excited about retirement planning.  Maybe a fresh approach is needed to keep it interesting and to get the portfolio going in a better direction.

Several years ago, Triple E adjusted retirement investments to include a greater proportion of funds featuring environmentally responsible organizations (aka Green Funds).  This was, in a sense, an alignment between heart and portfolio.  Because many Green Funds now have a 10-yr plus track record, it is time to revisit and compare them.

General strategies employed by Triple E when planning retirement investments: (1) start contributing to 401K, IRA, or SEP as soon as possible, (2) view retirement investment as a marathon not a sprint, (3) invest based on 5-yr to 10-yr past performance, (4) accept risk/volatility inversely proportional to age at time of investment, (5) consider no-load funds over funds with a load or service fees,  and (6) increase % of pre-tax income contributed each time you get a pay raise from employer. 

After a tour of many unnamed blogs and online articles, it was disappointing to see that performances were rarely reported.  Upon examination of the so-called 'Top Green Funds,' many were losing value faster than a typical index fund.  This is not to say that good ones aren't out there (see below), but rather a criticism of those writing articles without showing any data. 

Triple E Agent Assignment:
Locate promising Green Funds, summarize holdings and long-term performance...

Are there any salient Green Funds to consider?

Favorite Smart Phone App

When Ben Franklin said, "A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned," he probably was talking about the price difference for a dozen eggs from Merchant A versus Merchant B. However, the principle applies in any century and in any culture. Who doesn't like to save a dollar or Euro whenever possible?

Triple E was probably one of the last individuals to get a mobile phone. In fact, Triple E only became a cell phone user because the first was a 'paid-in-advance' gift. Come to think of it, the first Smart Phone was also a gift. Triple E didn't come around quickly, but after figuring out that the Smart Phone could be used to save money a new mission was created.

Triple E Agent Assignment:
Implement app(s) on Smart Phone to save more than monthly service fee...

Which app is the most promising and straightforward for saving?