Good Job Wally..
But the problem with All Energy Company Projections is that they only give lip service to reducing Demand.. while they will give rebates to customers who install better windows and appliances there are no really effective campaigns by the Utilities to address the Demand side of the Equation used in Projections.. The companies do not utilize even the basic effective energy projection models in addressing user audits. ...
Now the country fights small wars with volunteers.. and it doesn't get too messy or make anyone change their lives very much.. So this same approach is used in the Battle to reduce Energy dependence on those places where we fight those wars.... So the consumer cannot even educate themselves on how to best reduce demand. Sure, sure change your light bulbs to compact fluorescents but does the customer really understand how reduction in Wattage also affects reducing internal heat load generated by lighting... or do they understand how East and West Facing (unshaded) Windows affect internal Heat Gain in Summer... . Do consumers really understand the difference in installing quality constructed windows with Double of Triple Glazed Low E Glass , No... Does the Consumer understand the difference in Air-Conditioning Units SEER rating..NO... Certainly the Builders will install the cheapest (and as a result the most energy inefficient) A/C units.. (The Builder doesn't pay the Operating Bill, so why should he care...)
So the Consumer thinks..."Just so the house energy bill doesn't hurt too much".. "I just can't invest in my house now."... "I have to be able to afford driving my SUV and Big Pick-Up around to the job and Grocery store..." So Iowa does not have an effective energy code ... or does not choose to make the Energy Companies Police Huge Inefficient Users... Iowa chooses instead to require at the sale of any house to pump out the septic system... and Let the buyer beware of what it costs to heat and cool the McMansion... built on 2 1/2 Acres of Last years Corn field...
So where can SC be effective... work on the State adoption of an Energy Code.. and a means to enforce it.. work on a way to educate Consumers about their choices..
It is NO big deal to design and build a home that uses half of the current equally sized home.. It is hardly an effort to design and build a home that uses 1/3 of the equally sized currently constructed home... But it does take thought and commitment .. on the part of governing bodies who will turn a deaf ear to the construction and Utility Lobbyists...
Ken Larson, Ph.D.
3318 Woodland St.
Ames, Iowa 50014
[log in to unmask](an Architect for 40 yrs.. )
Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2011 10:46:51 -0500
From:
[log in to unmask]Subject: Re: Op Ed on Shattering the Myth of Baseload
To:
[log in to unmask]Good job, Wally.
The other fallacy in the Big IOU propaganda is always claiming that it's all about output to meet constantly rising demand. Demand reduction--conservation-- is another key to getting our energy economics where they need to be. Alternative sources, distributed generation, and demand reduction increase consumers' security...but threaten short-term ROI (return on investment) for big-time stockholders. The Biggies further profit from rate-payer and tax-payer subsidizing and underwriting of their investment risks in new plant construction, cost-shift or divest their lower-profit operations like transmission, and fight environmental and public health regulations and enforcement.
Bill Witt
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