I've got JOBS and AMERICAN MANUFACTURING right HERE!!!!

[TalkingDog]

http://www.energyblockgrants.org/

Funded in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) are empowering thousands of cities and counties to create new clean energy jobs through investments in building efficiency, community scale renewable energy, and other projects that save energy. However, the grant program will end in 2011 without action by the Obama Administration and Congress.




These grants use ONLY products made in the US. (I know because my spousal unit just finished working on one)
They are used to repair, replace, upgrade energy related infrastructure.
They give people JOBS. They help counties retain employees.

They are about to expire. Give them some DU Love

[NightWatcher]

1. how many jobs would be created and how much money saved by refitting with eco-friendly...

measures such as outfitting government buildings with solar power?

I saw a HUGE warehouse save a shitload by changing out T-12 florescent bulbs with T-6 bulbs. They are saving enough in year one to pay for the huge change. Up next, all new air handlers...multi million $ projects in all and they are saving in the long run. Plus it's employing more than a dozen people full time.

[TalkingDog]

2. I think each community decides where it's most abundant renewables lie

and work from there first.

The landfill in our county collects the methane and uses it. We have a bio-diesel production facility in an ag community. (I don't agree with it, but it's already in place) So the county is considering converting their vehicles to use one or the other of these in tandem with electric cars.

But they have to use what they've got and go from there.

Bill Clinton was on Letterman the other night and this was precisely the way he explained why cities will choose a less eco-friendly power source over a cheaper, renewable: 1st choice: we do everything for you. Simplicity.

2nd choice: A lot of little things and more paperwork.

But what they aren't realizing is: Less work now means a more f*cked up future.


As for the lightbulb ballast change out, we did that here too.... and they started a energy use record for every county owned and occupied building (? don't know why they didn't have one before...) so they can find other ways to improve.

Since we are in a Red county, "liberal" buzz words like environmental, green, carbon...etc. must be avoided. It has to be approached from the: we are saving the county and the taxpayers dollars.

[NightWatcher]

4. screw the liberal buzz words, it's cheaper in the long run to modernize

[TalkingDog]

6. Yep. But any hint of this being a "liberal agenda"

gets it shut down by the county commissioners. Republicans one and all....

[taught_me_patience]

3. This could either create or destroy wealth... it's not really known...

For example, if it costs $10MM to upgrade a building, but you receive a benefit of $7MM in energy cost savings, then you've destroyed wealth.

[justabob]

5. but part of that cost

is really an investment in the future quality of the environment... how do you measure that part of it?

[TalkingDog]

7. I think it cost/benefit analysis is built into the system.

I don't think county governments work they way you think they work.

[TalkingDog]

8. Kick for evening fun. n/t