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

AI-Transformative Technology with an Outsized Footprint

6 days ago | theearthandi.org | Rick Laezman

Artificial intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm—and is causing a storm of controversy over its gargantuan electricity appetite and its insatiable thirst for fresh water to cool the heat its generation produces. Moreover, observers are alarmed by the pressure AI production is putting on aging grid infrastructure and the increased carbon emissions it can entail.
EV Charging in Affordable Multifamily Housing

1 week ago | ecmag.com | Andrea Klee |Rick Laezman

The growing adoption of electric vehicles has helped create a new and cleaner relationship with automobiles, and it is aiding building electrification by creating added storage capacity. These benefits will not reach their full potential if access is not widespread.
New York Invests in Efficiency and Electrification

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

Energy efficiency and building electrification have emerged as two of the most effective tools in the effort to cut carbon emissions. Recently, the state of New York made a major investment in both. On May 15, 2025, the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) authorized $5 billion over five years to be spent on programs that will increase access to energy efficiency and clean energy solutions across the state’s buildings sector.
Northeast States Planning for Increased Transmission

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

Grid operators are striving to address increased demand and other challenges across the country. In the Northeast, officials have come together to coordinate their efforts. In July 2024, several states signed a memorandum of understanding to form the Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission (Collaborative). The purpose of the agreement was to coordinate enhanced interregional transmission planning and development.
Clean Energy Adds Capacity, Challenges Just in Time for Summer

1 month ago | ecmag.com | Andrea Klee |Rick Laezman

States across the country have dramatically increased their generating capacity from renewable sources, which will help them face the coming demands from summer heat. This clean power will also add a new layer of challenges during periods when the weather is extreme. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is the regulatory authority that oversees the continent’s electric grid, ensuring reliability and efficiency in the areas it regulates.
More Data Centers Coming to Midwest and East Coast States

1 month ago | ecmag.com | Andrea Klee |Rick Laezman

As the use of artificial intelligence expands its reach in society, the demand for data centers and the energy they consume is increasing rapidly across the country. Chicago-based Exelon is one of the nation’s largest utility companies. It serves nearly 11 million customers with six different transmission and distribution utilities covering five states and the District of Columbia.
Electrification Lowers Costs of Building Decarbonization

1 month ago | ecmag.com | Andrea Klee |Rick Laezman

Reducing emissions from buildings has attracted increased attention in the effort to stop climate change. Finding the best strategy remains a challenge. A new study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) concludes that electrification may be the most cost-effective approach. “The Potential for Alternative Fuels in Building Decarbonization” was published on April 30.
Community Solar Contributes Low-Cost Power Plus Jobs

1 month ago | ecmag.com | Andrea Klee |Rick Laezman

Community solar projects are providing clean, affordable electricity in states around the country. According to a recent study, they are contributing other benefits, too.
Wind and Solar Outpace Coal

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

Since renewable energy sources first became commercially viable, they have been chasing fossil fuels. Last year marked a milestone—for the first time in their history, wind and solar exceeded coal in the total mix of U.S. electricity production. The global energy think-tank, Ember, released its U.S. Electricity 2025 – Special Report in March. One insight from the report focuses on the total generation from wind and solar compared to coal.
Setting Sail to Clean Shipping

2 months ago | theearthandi.org | Rick Laezman

As the fight against global warming intensifies, more industries are joining the fray. In the shipping industry, this means adopting any number of innovations, including wind-aided technologies. This does not mean modern seafaring vessels will return to the massive sails and giant masts of centuries past. Instead, it involves a hybrid approach using modern technological advances that harness the power of the wind to complement and improve the efficiency of combustion engines.