Rick Laezman

Los Angeles

Freelance Writer at Electrical Contractor

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Director, local governmental relations, California Association of REALTORS

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Articles

Homeowners Want to Reduce Their Carbon Footprint But Don’t Know How

2 weeks ago | ecmag.com | Rick Laezman

The world recognizes the need to cut energy consumption and the emissions it produces. Homeowners are no exception. However, they aren’t getting it done. Electrical equipment manufacturer Schneider Electric, Boston, Mass., recently released the results of a global study it conducted on the subject. The results show homeowners value reducing emissions by cutting their energy consumption, but at the same time, they are not using all the tools at their disposal to make that happen.
New England States Ready for Low-Cost Connection to Offshore Wind

2 weeks ago | ecmag.com | Andrea Klee |Rick Laezman

While offshore wind faces uncertainty in the current political climate, existing infrastructure and clean power demand continue to buoy its potential growth. The “2050 Transmission Study: Offshore Wind Analysis” report from the Independent System Operator (ISO) New England Inc. released on March 21 showed some positive findings for offshore wind.
State Investment in Energy Efficiency Breaks New Ground

1 month ago | ecmag.com | Rick Laezman

Energy efficiency has become one of the pillars of the effort to combat climate change. While it promises great savings in the long run, the technology requires significant upfront investment to launch. According to the 2025 Energy Efficiency Scorecard, announced on March 18, 2025, from the American Council on an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), many states are investing heavily in energy efficiency. In fact, their investments have reached a record high.
Manufacturers Are Turning on the Electricity

1 month ago | ecmag.com | Rick Laezman

Electricity has become the primary means of power to help fight global warming. Vehicles, buildings and many of the appliances inside them are being converted to electricity to decrease the reliance on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions. Recent data from the American Council on an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) shows another sector that is converting to electricity.
Transmission Upgrades Coming to East Coast

1 month ago | ecmag.com | Rick Laezman

Across the country, rapidly increasing demand from data centers, electric vehicles and building electrification has created a need for improved transmission capacity. In several east coast states, plans are underway to address that need. On Feb. 26, 2025, the PJM Board of Managers authorized additions and changes to its Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP).
Cause or Contributing Factor? The Role of Climate Change in the Los Angeles Wildfires

2 months ago | theearthandi.org | Rick Laezman

Well before Los Angeles firefighters had even a modicum of control over the devastating fires in January 2025, the search for answers had begun. The relationship between humans and the natural environment is complex. Climate change is real, but it is not a simple explanation for the catastrophic effects of every weather-related event that happens. More realistically, climate change contributes to society's continuing and increasing difficulty in living in harmony with its natural environment.
Flexible Loads Could Help Manage Growing Grid Demands

2 months ago | ecmag.com | Rick Laezman

The marriage of data centers and artificial intelligence has captured headlines for its ability to transform modern computing and its monstrous appetite for power. A new study by Duke University finds that the U.S. power grid can accommodate this growing need for capacity with a relatively simple tool: load flexibility.
Electrical Workplace Fatalities on a Slight Downward Trend

2 months ago | ecmag.com | Rick Laezman

Coming in contact with energized equipment and wires will always be a dangerous responsibility. Improvements have been made, and statistically, the number of fatalities has decreased slightly in the last decade, but the danger remains. In January 2025, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) released its annual report on occupational electrical injury and fatalities.
Batteries Pose Safety Challenge to Wildfire Cleanup

2 months ago | ecmag.com | Rick Laezman

Now that the devastating Los Angeles wildfires have been 100% contained, the painful process of cleanup has begun. Just like fighting the fires faced challenges posed by the geography and climate, the cleanup also must navigate a unique landscape. In this case, the large number of lithium-ion batteries present on the sites of burned-out homes requires a dedicated cleanup.
Report Confirms Positive Net Benefits of Energy Retrofits

Jan 24, 2025 | ecmag.com | Rick Laezman

Many resources have been enlisted in the fight against carbon emissions. According to Evaluating GHG Mitigation Potential from ESPC Projects, a January 2024 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, energy retrofit projects have proven effective.