Colorado homeowners will have the opportunity to sign up for net metering in two days as a new law takes effect. If homeowners generate more power, via things like solar panels, they can sell the excess back to their utility. This is a step in a good direction. It will reduce demand on fossil-fuel powered generation systems (albeit very small at first). As neighbors see panels being put up on each others’ houses and hear that their energy bills are going down, more people will want them installed. As that happens, demand for solar panels will increase and the price to manufacture it will go down as larger scale economies kick in. It distributes power generation, which is an excellent thing. Any way we can reduce our need to connect to power being generated hundreds of miles away is a positive. In the long-term, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced, which we have to work hard at doing.
Now, there are a lot of things to be done between now and then, but this is the kind of opportunity that a Democratic legislature and Governor can provide a state. Put another way, government is working for people.
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I always enjoy visualizations to help understand things. Here is one I just read about: the Gardener’s Guide to Global Warming. It shows how USDA hardiness zones have changed from 1990 to 2006. We’re feeling the effects already – I can vouch for that since I’ve been gardening in this time frame. Year-to-year differences are small, but if you think back to how things were different 15 years ago…
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The Colorado Department of Natural Resources submitted a protest last Wednesday (July 30) to the federal Bureau of Land Management today objecting to the BLM’s plan to lease the top of the Roan Plateau for commercial drilling on Aug. 14. I’m not sure it will actually do anything. It sounds like it’s just formalizing an opinion. If that’s the case, it’s incredibly frustrating.
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Another new law will take effect in two days: HB 1407 is the culmination of years of insurance company abuse against its policy-holders by unreasonably denying or delaying the payment of valid claims. It requires insurance companies to pay double damages if they don’t pay what they owe when they owe it. You and I have to pay what we owe or face staggering penalties. If we’re going to treat corporations as persons, then let’s treat them as persons: benefits and responsibilities.
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More of this please.
August 4, 2008 at 3:46 pm |
Don’t suppose you have any good tips or links on how someone could start from scratch on adding solar to their home? I have begun doing a little research In My Copious Spare Time, but I’m definitely in the confused and overwhelmed stage….
August 4, 2008 at 4:37 pm |
Too bad all the states aren’t doing this- seems like a quick way to drastically reduce our need for foreign oil. Be careful to consult your insurance agent if you install any of these items as they may not be covered by your policy. http://www.ohiocar-insurance.com
August 4, 2008 at 4:52 pm |
That’s a good question, Susan. I don’t have anything at my fingertips – I’ve lived in apartments for a while and will continue to do so for the next year or so, so it hasn’t really come up yet. I definitely want to include solar panels on any house I do buy, however. I’ll do some digging too – I’m sure you’re not the only person with this question. I’ll post what I find.