BTW there is a great article in the most recent Newsweek(Aug. 15th) about "zero-energy homes". In California, where the state and local governments subsidize such development, there are an increasing number of housing divisions and developments that feature homes designed to conserve energy and provide onsight energy generation resulting in many homes having a net energy draw of zero for much of the year. An increasing number are for seniors and others who have money to buy now but will be on a fixed income in the future.
Solar power is a key part of the equation. While electricity is only one part of our energy need in a cold minnesota winter with many if not most heating systems being gas or something other than electric, it still seems that this technology could be very applicable in terms of reducing our needs for electricity generation. We get alot of direct sunlight making solar more practical here than in much of the rest of the U.S. If Minnesota could reduce it's need for offsite electricity generation perhaps we could finally see the number of coal fired power plants reduced in our state and have cleaner air and see our two nuclear plants eventually decommissioned so we won't generate more nuclear waste(and avoid what happened in Florida with illegal dumping of nuclear waste into regular landfills). Minneaplis would add long term value to it's residential infastructure by encouraging "zero-energy" housing design(or as close as we can get to it in our climate) mixing onsite energy generation(usually solar) with an investment in high tech windows and other energy conservation technologies. This would reduce eventual outlays for energy by private residents, and if built into our public buildings, taxpayers as well. All the while reducing global warming, forming a basis for cleaner air, etc. You could even incorporate zero-emissions vehicles into the housing design and try to generate enough onsite power to counter any negative effect on overall net metering arriving at zero for the house and use of the vehicle for local trips. I've wanted one of those EV Tango's that does 0 to 60 in 3 seconds. David Strand Loring Park --- Gregory Reinhardt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > Alternative sources of energy require large sources > of capital outlay. In the long run, cost will go > down as technology and efficiencies improve. The > problem, for local governments or self enterprisers > is having sufficient venture capital to start such a > worthy project. It would seem the quickest way to > fund the project would be through bonding. However, > 10 to 20 years or longer, is to long time for most > voters to wait for lower taxes. So in the short > run, taxes would go up (if funded publicly). How > would this project be funded without grants or new > revenues (taxes)? > > > > Actually, most do less with less. > > > > Greg Reinhardt > > Excelsior > REMINDERS: > 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at > http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a > member is in violation, contact the list manager at > [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. > > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. > > For state and national discussions see: > http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html > For external forums, see: > http://e-democracy.org/mninteract > ________________________________ > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused > Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] > Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > ____________________________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
