A Reverse Auction to Conserve Kilowatts
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources on July 28th ran what may be the first-ever online reverse auction for energy efficiency grants. The state allocated $3 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding in a series of three one-hour auctions by having 23 pre-qualified businesses bid on a $/kWh saved basis for projects that were expected to enhance energy efficiency. Grants with fixed dollar amounts were awarded to the bidders who promised the best (conservation) bang for the (grant) buck. Read More »
Quotes Uncovered: Teaching a Man to Fish
Fred Shapiro traces the origins of popular quotes. Read More »
Poor Economics in an Economics Department
Three weeks until classes start, including my 500-student section of micro principles. Unlike in past semesters, I won’t be assigned any smart undergrads to lead review sessions. Budgets are limited, but all other “large” sections–some less than half the size of mine–have undergrad assistants assigned. “Why not?” I ask. I’m told it’s because I do a good job and don’t need the sessions. Read More »
Disputing the Canseco Effect
Sabernomics offers a different take on the Gould and Kaplan study of the Canseco Effect. Read More »
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