Feds Object To Energy Smart Local Governance

Montgomery County, Maryland, is moving toward a stronger building code, with requirements for new homes to meet the Energy Star home building parameters. This is the type of measure rapidly implementable across the country to help foster the move toward a more sensible building infrastructure such as envisioned by Architecture2030 (a highly energy-efficient, carbon-neutral building infrastructure by 2030).

The move to Energy Star construction, as the minimum standard, will mean a reduction of energy consumption by at least 15 percent over existing building code.

But they're being opposed in their efforts by ... [drumroll] ... the Bush administration.

This is part of an overall Montgomery County effort to achieve an 80 percent reduction in County carbon emissions by 2050.

"We are attacking literally every source of greenhouse gas that exists and ensuring that our county and our citizens use less energy," said council member Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda), lead sponsor of the measures and an energy lawyer.

Other measures include property tax credits for residents who energy audit!)

This Energy Smart piece of local legislation will help foster a shift from Cost to Buy to a Cost to Own calculation in terms of home construction, even if buyers will not really have a choice. The building code, itself, will favor upfront investments in energy efficiency (and, potentially, renewable energy) that will make home more comfortable, reduce energy use, and reduce pollution loads.

There will be that additional upfront cost.

Depending on the size of the home, analysts and developers estimate that construction costs would increase $2,000 to $20,000. For an $800,000 home -- the average price for new residential construction -- Berliner said that an additional $10,000 would increase the overall cost by about 1.25 percent.

Pause for a moment: $800,000 as the average price? Slowly exhale breath in contemplating that figure ...

At 15 cents per kilowatt hour electricity, how much will a homeowner save each year on utilities? $1,000? $2,000? More? Again, this is an upfront investment that will literally pay for itself for the homeowner while reducing the burden on the rest of the community. And, across the country, builders are finding energy efficiency to be a competitive advantage amid a very difficult real estate market. Being Energy Smart is simply being business smart. That is, for smart businessmen as there is a however, however.

Raquel Montenegro, a lobbyist for the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association, said her members "are not opposed to better building; we're opposed to imposing a mandate that the market is unwilling to pay for."

Sure, we love to build higher quality, but we don't like to be told to do so.

And, the builder's association has backing from the Bush administration.

In response to questions from the building industry, EPA's Energy Star residential branch chief, David Lee, said in a letter that the agency does not advocate putting its standards into law and suggests that local and state governments "consider alternative, more market-based solutions to encourage construction of Energy Star qualified homes."

"Market-based solutions ..." ???

Let us think this through.

Why do we have seat-belts in cars? Let's have a market-based solution.

Food-safety standards? Market-based solution seems to work well here, doesn't it?

FAA inspections on aircraft? Market-based solution. (Oops, we do seem to have that.)

Fire code for construction? Controls on toxics in paints? Lead in paint? Insulation requirements? Inspection of electrical wiring, plumbing, concrete work, etc? Why would anyone have mandates for any of these things?

Sigh ...

In any event, it does look like Montgomery County politicians will be going forward with this tightening of the building codes. Hopefully this will be matched by other jurisdictions around the country.

For example, 25 years ago, my county's ceiling insulation code was R-13. It is now R-38. Tightening to Energy Star represents simply a next step toward mandating a base level of building energy efficiency. And, in a few years, today's Energy Star will be passe as we move toward even more efficient code.

Sensible regulation (including building code) is a key element to Energize America toward a Prosperous, Climate-Friendly Society.

NOTES:

Of course, Montgomery County is far from the only local government taking Energy Smart measures. For example, there is nearby Arlington, VA. Nor is all the news from Montgomery County as Energy Smart. See, for example, Bethesda Bagels vs County Executive's McSUV.

And, in fact, Energy Star is far from an aggressive standard, even today, with many parts of the country moving past this. California, for example, is considering regulation that will require all new residential buildings to be net-zero energy by 2020. And, across the country, there are many cities and local jurisdictions leading the way to Energize America.

Comments

[dadw5boys]

If you use good engery saving prastices along with solar and wind techonology then gas, oil and coal would start losing maket share and the prices would drop. Can't have that!

[BeeOplentee]

Sorry, but when the government tells you how to live and what to live in, it's time to clean your gun and get ready to be defiant.

[A. Siegel - Huffpost Blogger]

What, then, is government allowed to do?

Do you object that there are energy efficiency standards for refrigerators that have reduced average annual electricity use from 1750 kilowatt hours to 500 over the past 20 years?

Do you object that air conditioning units have doubled in efficiency over 20 years, from standard of 7 SEER to 13 SEER?

Having "energy efficiency standards" isn't telling you how to live your life. "Choice" is about use of power, what you use it for. The term for that in terms of the energy world would be "conservation" or "lifestyle". "Efficiency" is, in essence, back of the scene.

Do you think building codes should be eliminated?

Standards for electrical systems / etc?

Etc ...

All of this have you cleaning your guns?

[joebaggadonuts]

HuffPost's Pick

When government tells builders they can cheat you by using substandard appliances and substandard energy efficiency in their products, that's when you should be cleaning your damn gun. You happy with your Chinese-adulterated Heparin, and toothpaste,and lead-based painted toys at WalMart, bud? That's your government policies in action. How about your Grandma not being able to afford her medicine without an illegal trip to Canada? Your government again. What's the point? You are not listening. So if the Government does something which could help you save money over the life of your house or apartment building, and that helps your kids live in a better world with less pollution and less anthropomorphic climate change, that's when you clean your gun??? Splain this to me, eh?

[robin50]

That damn government, what does it think telling us what to do, yeah get your gun out. Why in the world should I listen to the government that said we will drive on the right side of the road. Let's get our gun out and put a stop to that! Or the government that tells me I can't dump junk cars in my neighbors yard because mine is full, bet you get your gun out over that one!?

[Pquilson]

Althought I generally do not like government in my face every step of every day, i must admit that when we built our home in 1992, we anticipated higher energy costs. We built in an area that has no natural gas service, so we had to be all electric. We also knew that the area was served by a Rural Electrification Association, so the cost per kilowatt hour would be higher.
Therefore, all exterior walls are 6 inches thick. All windows and doors are insulated and double pane. We insulated to the highest degree possible, even the garage door and the ceiling above the garage are insulated.
As a result, we pay far less for electricity than most of our neighbors. The cost of the increased insulation and the thicker exterior walls have paid for themselves quite nicely since the time we built.
if given a choice, I would do the same again. However, I do not appreciate government, at any level forcing me to do so.

[A. Siegel - Huffpost Blogger]

Being Energy Smart is financially smart, as you discovered at a time when too few others paid any attention. You paid attention to the Cost to Own and not just the cost to buy with your home. Now, in addition to energy savings, you probably have a more comfortable home and require a bit less maintenance (less temperature difference on interior walls means paint lasts longer ...).

Now as to "government ... forcing", do you accept the notion of building codes? Safety (and other) standards for electrical equipment? Cars? Planes?

Building codes include energy efficiency measures (as per my example for attic insulation). Do you reject that? Should there be no insulation in the building code and let it all be buyer beware?

Finally, in the face of implications for society of over demand on the energy grid and the pollution impacts of fossil fuel (particulates, mercury in fish, CO2 acidification of oceans, global warming), is there not a legitimate societal/government role in energy policy? In fostering a more Energy Smart society? And, is not the building code a legitimate path for doing this?