John McCain's Lexington Project or Energy Plan differs from Barack Obama's by encouraging more nuclear power plants and drilling for domestic oil and natural gas. It focuses on breaking the stranglehold of oil on our economy by relying on battery power to run our cars and trucks.

Barack Obama's Energy Plan gives us the impression that all we have to do is throw enough money at this problem and it will be solved. Don't be so naive though. Many of the proposals will take years to complete, but some can be realized easily. We tell you what makes sense and what we think should be the top four priorities.

Barak Obama's and John McCain's energy plans suffer from the same old failed policies. They pay too much attention to traditional energy companies, just throw money at the problem, and totally ignore what consumers can do. We offer street smart recommendations that the future new President should consider or at least explain why he won't.

John McCain, Barak Obama and T. Boone Pickens all have energy plans. They have a lot in common, but few new ideas. They all fail to address and confront the major reasons why the United States energy situation is such a mess. We introduce you to the four elephants and explain why tackling them will lead to a better energy future.

Woke up this morning to Good Morning America (GMA) as I usually do. Really thought that GMA's ideas about buying a fireplace insert or wood/pellet burning stove were not very good or green. Here's why based on owning a fireplace insert years ago. There are better alternaives to spend our money on.

The US Department of Energy wants to guarantee over $30.5 billion in loans to the private sector to commercialize new energy technologies that will reduce global warming and get us off our addiction to foreign oil. It's about time, but what about providing some loan guarantees to get solar and wind energy projects built by you and me.

Recently Al Gore and T. Boone Pickens have both made some pretty exciting statements about moving the U.S. from a fossil fuel-based economy to one based on Solar and Wind Energy. Can it be done? Maybe, but I think they really understate the challenges. In fact they lay the blame to the current energy crisis on the Federal government when in fact "we the people" are the real obstacle.

With gasoline prices so high, the last thing you need is higher electricity bills. Unfortunately, they are here and will be around for the next 5 years. So here are things to do to manage that bill now and in the future.

Lifestyle Changes

Electricity prices this summer are higher than they were last year and will continue to increase in the next 5 years. The major reason is an over reliance on natural gas fired power plants and long lead times and uncertainty in building coal, nuclear and renewable energy projects.

Condominium and Co-op Apartment associations and owners of larger commercial buildings can reduce their electricity costs and go green by installing wind energy on their roofs. The technology is here. All it takes is some persisitence.

Higher gasoline prices ultimately mean higher costs for materials used to remodel homes and higher food costs as well. Gasoline prices will also affect where you buy your next home and what buyers will pay for it.

We explore what electric cars are on the horizon and what you can do right now if you are thinking of abandoning your gasoline powered car.

Carmakers in Japan, Europe and now the US see the hand writing on the wall. No one will be able to afford to drive their gasoline powered cars when oil is between $100 to $330 a barrel.

Why we don't get it

Heating and cooling our houses is getting more expensive and accounts for 17 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. It's time to put the the sun and the 78 million house roofs to work with solar photovoltaic roof modules. By doing so, you could reduce your electricity needs by 30-50 percent.

Today I heard on the radio that some local governments were going to require home sellers to disclose to buyers how much it cost to heat and cool a home. While this seemed strange at first, I thought it made perfect sense given increasing electricity and natural gas prices.

When we hear metal roofs, we usually think of warehouses and commercial buildings. Not any more. Home remodelers are now using them for porches, porticos and entire roofs. They're also literally cooler than asphalt roofs.

Teleworking or telecommuting can easily reduce traffic congestion in large cities and help you save money. It's also good for the environment and you'll probably get more work done too.

Prior to 1978, the relative prices of gasoline, electricity and natural gas were not very expensive. However, things are dramatically different now. US consumers are still wondering what is going on and why things have changed from the good old days.

We presented evidence on how color can convey information in Part 1 of our ambient devices article. We now will discuss how ambient devices are used in Utility Demand Response Programs and how you can use them if there's no program where you live.

Color conveys a great deal of information to us everyday. It can even provide enough information to tell us when it pays to conserve energy.