New energy products result in surcharges if enough energy is not used in the home. The same applies to natural gas. Rate increases were approved on or about the same time as the energy star rebate to consumers became available. Now the consumer pays a fee for conserving energy.

If your home meets your energy budget, do not change what is not broken. The savings costs more out of pocket every month. Read, Read, and watch your bills. Do not simply write a check. Example: High efficiency home and owners take a month vacation, the energy bill increases 30%. How is that possible? The legislature approved the change in billing.

I just found this link: http://energyoutlook.blogspot.com/2007/11/closing-suv-loophole.html. This link appears to raise some important issues that were touched in the ELPR article and may add some useful insights for future research. In particular, what struck me was the question raised in the article. In particular, it appears that the question is: Are automakers’ claims justified and what are the laws with respect to businesses having the right to conduct their own private affairs versus that of the government regulating laws to protect the environment? The arguments by business interests (i.e. the manufacturers) may be muted by the ninth circuit ruling and the idea that fuel economy standards are already increasing that closing the loophole actually makes sense to some extent. Anyway, in addition to the other links, I think this might add some substance to the article.