CAFE standards, a ban on most incandescent light bulbs, and restrictions on the amount of water a toilet can use are all examples of government-mandated efficiency. But given the varying interests and situations of 300 million Americans, they’re a horribly inefficient way to run a society.

Kenneth P. Green of the American Enterprise Institute summarizes some findings on the topic, and concludes the cost of energy-efficiency regulations outweighs their benefit considerably.”

So why do we proceed with such requirements? There are a number of reasons, including the myopia and arrogance of the political class, industry and business groups hoping use the power of goverment to juice their incomes, and climate alarmists and do-gooder groups that take delight in manipulating the levers of power.