Town Council commits to energy spending increase.
As I watched the Town Council meeting tonight two things struck me. First I thought “what a good idea” when I heard a renewable energy committee was being created to investigate and give guidance on energy solutions for the town, businesses and residents.
Secondly I thought “how stupid” when I then saw the council unanimously commit to offsetting 20% of the town’s energy usage without any factual consideration of the costs or impact on the town. I heard unsubstantiated and misinformed rhetoric related to oil and global warming which would be expected with such a motion but no discussion of the costs. Mr Rojas was certainly passionate about it in his description and on it’s face it seems like a reasonable and responsible thing to do. The problem here is that we don’t elect our town leaders to judge things by their face. We elect them to exhibit wisdom and deep consideration of matters such as these which will have actual costs and consequences. There was no such wisdom or consideration demonstrated on this issue which has the fortune of a pretty face.
I plan on putting my name in for the energy committee and I hope you will too. I whole heartedly support alternative energy and as my wife can attest it’s one of my hobbies. It makes no sense whatsoever, though, to replace one expensive energy source with a more expensive one. Industries created by government demand are not sound industries. When oil rises in price or alternative energy lowers in price to a point where it is naturally competitive for alternative energy sources to compete they will. Until then it is an economic drain to force through taxation a less cost efficient energy source on business and residents of East Hartford.
Bottom line, shame on our councilors for committing the town to spending money it doesn’t need to spend in the name of going ‘green’.
ETA: A bit of research through the Department of Energy shows that the premium for energy certificates is generally between 1.5 and 5 cents per KWH. If I were to participate for my house alone there would be an additional cost of between $42 and $140 per year to be offset 20%. That’s for just one 1300 sq ft house now. Imagine the cost when we are talking all town buildings and resource.
I looked into the 99MPG.COM site that Mr. Sanzo expressed interest in. It’s ideas like those which need public support, not companies who sell uncompetitive solar installations. R&D is where future affordability is to be found, not installation services.
ETA2: From looking back through the budget it appears that the budgeted expenditure for town electricity in 08-09 not including the schools is targeted at about 1.02 million dollars. Interestingly that budgeted amount is less than it actually cost in 07-08 (to the tune of about $86,000) so I wonder if there is legitimate energy savings there which accounts for the lower amount or if those budget items were reduced to give an appearance of a lower budget since they are items which are guaranteed to be funded anyways if there is a shortfall. A really rough and inaccurate estimate based on the above figure and a need for an additional 12% offset (8% already being offset according to the electric contract?) would be an annual cost between $10,282 and $34,275 that the town has no real need to spend.
Tags: Alternative Energy, East Hartford, Global Warming, Renewable Energy, Town Council
