What is needed is a National Energy Code... or at least a National Model Energy code for Buildings.. the Very idea of Not attacking the Building Energy Usage is beyond STUPID.. The National Code for Glass has worked.. the National Code for Accessibility has Worked... The Playing field needs to be leveled so that all developers will have to live up to the same standard.. otherwise the same cat and mouse game of "Green Advertising" and saying, "Oh, we build efficient buildings..." will go on where the buyer or renter (who is generally uninformed about the energy costs or what to do about it ) will get stuck with the bill .... after the developer made the cheap choices or expedient choices in building construction that has serious consequences in energy costs required for occupancy.. Another way to approach is for the government to require that Utilities require the buildings to be "constructed and operated efficiently".... or they don't get a meter... and thus they do not get any gas or electricity... Alaska's approach to Freedom is like that of a typical Hummer owner... I'm rich, the hell with you.. Move over.. Their bad choices (just like Palin's family choices) have life long consequences... Ken Larson Ph.D. ----- Original Message ----- From: Phyllis Mains<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 7:09 AM Subject: Palin Rejects $28.6 million for conservation From Fairbanks Daily News Miner 5-12-09 Gov. Sarah Palin has said she won't take $28.6 million for energy conservation work because the law would require a "statewide energy code" for buildings in Alaska. She has also said the money is an attempt to "bribe" the state or local governments to adopt energy efficiency standards for buildings. "Essentially to me it's a bribe. It's here, 'Take these dollars, but you gotta grow your government. You're going to have to police this new program, even enforcement of building codes if you take these dollars," Palin said in March. At about that same time, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell said the building code is one example of how Washington is "trying to overtake Alaska with its agenda and we are standing against that interference." "In Alaska, our freedom is not for sale," Parnell said. But it appears the state does not have to adopt a statewide energy code to qualify for the $28.6 million. For example, Missouri is one of several states without a statewide building or energy code for residential or commercial structures. The Department of Energy accepted the proposal from Missouri, which does not call for a statewide energy code or even a mandatory local code. Instead, Missouri proposes to "create model energy efficiency standards that, if local units of government choose to implement, should reduce costs for Missourians." It is likely that the existing building standards in Alaska's major communities would be enough to meet the federal mandate if the governor agreed to accept the federal money. The other 49 governors have accepted the money, with some saying they would ask local authorities to "consider" energy code changes. There is more in my column today http://www.newsminer.com/news/dermotcole/<http://www.newsminer.com/news/dermotcole/> To see the letters from the governors who have accepted the money, go to http://www.energy.gov/InYourState.htm<http://www.energy.gov/InYourState.htm> ____________________________________________________________ All is not lost! Click now for professional data recovery.<http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2142/fc/BLSrjpTLygHSSXLNYMqkRV1JMBqjctsbw2rkK9AI9w1aEMdUVwU7u1ARl8M/> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp