As with most public energy data, the article contains figures of +/- 5 % to 10
%. Btu and J is within less than +/- 3 %. Precision of two significant digits
is more than enough for these statistics. Do not look at EIA for guidance. They
either never heard of the significant digits rule or must print 5 digits to be
able to show the contribution of solar power (it is in the error range of the
large numbers).
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Hooper
To: U.S. Metric Association
Sent: 08 Jul 17, Thursday 19:14
Subject: [USMA:41440] Re: Ad insult to injury
Regarding Stan Jakub's recent email (quoted below), I wrote to the Energy
Information Administration. Here's what I wrote:
I continue to be dismayed at the way energy data in different areas is all
quoted in different units of measure.m Why can't it all be measured in the same
unit? Joules would do; even kilowatt-hours would do. This quote from the
newspaper indicates what is wrong and what YOUR agency should be able to do
about it.:
"Federal energy forecasters caution against comparing electric heat with
fuel oil costs because they are measured in different units - gallons of
heating oil and kilowatt-hours of electricity." If your forecasters already
know that different units make necessary comparison difficult if not
impossible, then why aren't you doing something about it? YOU can stop
reporting data in such a wide variety of units.
A point I didn't follow in Stan's message was the very end when he said
information in BTU's could be changed to MJ or GJ by just moving the decimal
point. I've got a feeling that something was left out there.
Regards,
Bill Hooper
Here is what Stan Wrote in case you need to refer to it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
On Jul 17 , at 10:04 AM, Stan Jakuba wrote:
As most of the people on this forum know, the ultimate source of energy
data in the U.S. is the Federal EIA (Energy Info Administration). Despite
decades of barrage of letters from metric proponents, EIA insists on using not
only archaic units, but also different units for energy in fuel than in
electricity (among other anomalies). Thus it is ironic that this morning daily
(The Hartford Courant) comparing costs of energies felt obliged to print:
"Federal energy forecasters caution against comparing electric heat with
fuel oil costs because they are measured in different units - gallons of
heating oil and kilowatt-hours of electricity."
How ironic that FEDERAL people warn us against THEIR own practice. Perhaps
they are changing their attitude and the barrage should intensify. Write [EMAIL
PROTECTED] The USPS address is at their website http://www.eia.doe.gov.
Fortunately, the staff writer reacted to the caution and had the initiative
to unify all the data on, not joules, but at least Btus. Thus it was only a
matter of moving the decimal point to get GJ, MJ etc.
Stan Jakuba
