Charting the Course for Energy Efficiency in New York: Lessons from Existing Programs

This report examines the performance of the existing suite of energy efficiency efforts run by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the state’s investor owned utilities. The latest data shows that through 2014 EEPS program administrators had achieved 79 percent of their to-date savings goals. The report focuses on the best ways to transition from the EEPS program model to the emerging REV model. Reviewing publicly available information, this analysis takes stock of what the EEPS has achieved and calls for a REV planning and delivery program that builds upon lessons learned from decades of past efforts to achieve self-sustaining efficiency markets. It 1) describes the proposed changes to energy efficiency delivery currently under consideration by the Cuomo Administration, 2) reviews overall EEPS performance through the third quarter of 2014, 3) recommends a framework to serve as the basis for future decision-making, and 4) makes additional recommendations for the future of energy efficiency efforts in New York State

The Impact of Tidal Elevation and Climate Change on the Growth and Performance of Balanus glandula

Tidal elevation affects the survival, growth, and performance of intertidal organisms because it regulates their exposure to heat, waves, food availability, and a variety of other abiotic factors. While previous research has explored the relationship between temperature and the performance of the barnacle Balanus glandula, there are unanswered questions about how tidal elevation affects B. glandula performance and growth. I compared the growth of B. glandula at three tidal elevations in Friday Harbor, Washington, and estimated the metabolic cost of emersion at each tidal elevation using a cost equation gained from thermal performance curves and average daily maximum temperatures. I also modeled climate change by adding 2°C to the average daily maximum temperatures at each shore height. I hypothesized that growth would decrease as tidal elevation increased as a result of increased heat stress. I also hypothesized that performance would decrease as tidal elevation increased, and that an increase in average daily maximum temperatures would most greatly affect high tidal elevations. I found that low tidal elevations had the highest growth. Energetic cost and aerial temperature were the highest at mid and high tidal elevations. Under the 2°C increase in temperature, energetic cost decreased with tidal elevation. These results are consistent with previous findings showing that B. glandula at higher tidal elevations had higher energetic demand. Further research is necessary to determine how growth and performance are correlated in B. glandula and how other factors such as food availability, optimal size, and reproduction affect their success

Colin Kaepernick is being Un-Patriotic and We Should be Thankful for it

Colin Kaepernick, back-up quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, most likely knew that he would not face legal consequences when he decided to indefinitely sit (or kneel) during each pregame performance of the national anthem. Kaepernick also knew that it was a risk that could jeopardize the future of his career. The First Amendment prevents our government from punishing individuals based on their speech, but employers are not bound by this same restriction. When reporters asked Kaepernick if he would be cut from his team as a result of his decision, Kaepernick answered, “If I do, I know I did what’s right and I can live with that at the end of the day.” The NFL is notorious for blackballing athletes who carry “baggage”, so by refusing to stand during the Star Spangled Banner, Kaepernick is jeopardizing not only his current job, but his ability to play for any other NFL team. Whether you agree with him or not, Kaepernick’s action should remind us to be thankful for our freedom to do the “unpatriotic.” This post was originally published on the Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal website on September 15, 2016. The original post can be accessed via the Archived Link button above

Madness in the Media: Demystifying the Emergence of an OCD Trope in Television

To live with Obsessive-Compulsive disorder is to live a life constantly misrepresented and misunderstood. By investigating the types of representations of the disorder found in popular visual media, one can surmise the drastic disparity that exists between the lived experience of OCD and the visually locked in version commonly shows to audiences. Comparing these representations with clinical, experiential, and anecdotal evidence leads to the conclusion that popular media, as well as society writ large, are primarily focused on appropriating and trivializing the compulsive behaviors of those with OCD while altogether neglecting the harsh reality of the intrusive thoughts that drive them