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    <title><![CDATA[Discussion on 4 energy-efficiency initiatives you should know about ]]></title>
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        <title><![CDATA[Residential vs Commercial energy savings]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.smartplanet.com/forum/discussions/1-11174-80581]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Not sure if the beginning line of this article mixed some folks up, there seems to be some comments about residential energy savings but the initiatives listed are about businesses, government, and larger facilities. Residential bills won't be affected as significantly with reduced usage efforts, but does that still mean you shouldn't do it? Most industrial operations can cut power usage down by much larger numbers versus residential, and do it in a very short period of time. Which is why all of these initiatives exist. For example, installing  HVLS industrial cooling fans  can save a facility up to 20% on cooling and heating costs. Encouraging governmental agencies and businesses to upgrade equipment &amp; technology in their facilities (using incentives) creates millions to billions of dollars per year in energy savings, also reducing energy usage moving forward. Which is the goal, right?]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.smartplanet.com/forum/discussions/1-11174-80581]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[ArchEngineer62]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:44:44 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Nice examples of intelligent initiatives]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.smartplanet.com/forum/discussions/1-11174-75995]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[These four examples of initiatives to boost energy efficiency are a good way to see how the country is trying to adapt to the new times.Recently VER has also been approved. This new Law will promote the use of Renewable Energy and energy forecast will be a must. http://www.gnarum.com]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.smartplanet.com/forum/discussions/1-11174-75995]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Maria Sierra]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2012 03:16:11 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[special fees]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.smartplanet.com/forum/discussions/1-11174-74980]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I agree that municipalities appear to be tacking on special fees on our water/sewer, phone, cable, power bills, etc.  But let's remember that the variable components still make up the largest share of our bills.  The number of kilowatts of electricity I use is in direct proportion to my final bill.  Besides, encouraging people to &quot;use as much as you want&quot; flies in the face of common sense and the notion that we all live on a planet with limited resources.  Do you really want to face your grandkids 20 years from now and tell them that you expended as much energy as you could in order to leave them with less?]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.smartplanet.com/forum/discussions/1-11174-74980]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[wally_altoona]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:08:42 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[4 energy-efficiency initiatives you should know about]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.smartplanet.com/forum/discussions/1-11174-74895]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[The problems here are not energy saving initiatives.  The problem is the manner the utility bills are made up.  Actual power usage makes up only a very small percentage. The result being trying to conserve makes almost no impact on final bill.  Mentioned in the artical was running the A/C.  Same problem here with the heat this year, but in past running the A/C 24/7 only increased the bill about $20. Its the fixed cost included in the bill.  Example $12.50 a month for the privilege of being a customer. $10 service charge to be sent a bill, etc  Reduce your power usage to zero one will still receive a bill  for $22.50 +++ a month. This is just one example a list of service charges.  Here its the city that owns and operates the utility.  Here like everywhere politicians under pressure not to raise property taxes.  They achieve this by adding and increasing service charges to water/sewer and power bills.  The end result is no incentive to conserve power or water.  Go ahead run your A/C 24/7, water your lawn all you want.  Why make any attempt to conserve when it makes virtually no  impact on ones utility bill.]]></description>
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        <dc:creator><![CDATA[csumbler]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:45:37 -0700</pubDate>
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