Comments on: Fayetteville Speaks: Get to work on the energy and jobs bills http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2010/01/05/get-to-work-on-the-energy-and-jobs-bills/ News, Art & Life in Fayetteville, Arkansas Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:11:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Barbara Fitzpatrick http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2010/01/05/get-to-work-on-the-energy-and-jobs-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-17868 Barbara Fitzpatrick Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:00:44 +0000 http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/?p=19990#comment-17868 I know what you mean about the solar panels. I've been wanting to and not able to afford it for about 35 years now. Maybe next year... But yes, there are many things that can be done to reduce energy load and that's what the proposed "cash for caulkers" is all about. Every leak closed saves energy AND money. I just closed the leak around my furnace exhaust pipe with styrofoam peanuts (from a Xmas package) stuffed into a plastic newspaper sleeve stuffed around the pipe and taped in place. I've replaced most of my single-pane windows with Energy Star multipanes (average 2 a year until done). You can re-use bubble wrap to wrap water pipes (or your hot water heater). In earlier times when I lived in less efficient homes, I've plugged holes too big to caulk with a mixture of sawdust and elmer's wood glue. And blankets on the walls (like the tapestries of old) help, too. So does closing off rooms if you don't use them. Weatherization is a win-win. Weatherization programs by creating jobs to do what the homeowner for some reason or another can't is a win-win-win (except for the energy company CEOs, of course). I know what you mean about the solar panels. I’ve been wanting to and not able to afford it for about 35 years now. Maybe next year… But yes, there are many things that can be done to reduce energy load and that’s what the proposed “cash for caulkers” is all about. Every leak closed saves energy AND money. I just closed the leak around my furnace exhaust pipe with styrofoam peanuts (from a Xmas package) stuffed into a plastic newspaper sleeve stuffed around the pipe and taped in place. I’ve replaced most of my single-pane windows with Energy Star multipanes (average 2 a year until done). You can re-use bubble wrap to wrap water pipes (or your hot water heater). In earlier times when I lived in less efficient homes, I’ve plugged holes too big to caulk with a mixture of sawdust and elmer’s wood glue. And blankets on the walls (like the tapestries of old) help, too. So does closing off rooms if you don’t use them. Weatherization is a win-win. Weatherization programs by creating jobs to do what the homeowner for some reason or another can’t is a win-win-win (except for the energy company CEOs, of course).

]]> By: Craig http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2010/01/05/get-to-work-on-the-energy-and-jobs-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-17858 Craig Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:46:25 +0000 http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/?p=19990#comment-17858 Again, great editorial and follow up. And good thought about altering factory output from useless Cold War technology to something that would help us be energy independent. Just that I looked into putting solar panels on my house some years ago and it was too expensive. But there are other green efficiencies to be done. Re: $8 gas: 1. Make green energy competitive without the need for subsidies. 2. Stimulate the use of public transportation. 3. Pay for all costs associated with our petrol consumption instead of passing off costs to the next generation. Right now, China is paying for our nation building among oil rich nations. To the degree this is political, it's a conservative idea. (So not sure where my liberal white guilt comes in?) Again, great editorial and follow up. And good thought about altering factory output from useless Cold War technology to something that would help us be energy independent.

Just that I looked into putting solar panels on my house some years ago and it was too expensive. But there are other green efficiencies to be done.

Re: $8 gas:
1. Make green energy competitive without the need for subsidies.
2. Stimulate the use of public transportation.
3. Pay for all costs associated with our petrol consumption instead of passing off costs to the next generation. Right now, China is paying for our nation building among oil rich nations. To the degree this is political, it’s a conservative idea. (So not sure where my liberal white guilt comes in?)

]]> By: ArkInvestor http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2010/01/05/get-to-work-on-the-energy-and-jobs-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-17837 ArkInvestor Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:24:13 +0000 http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/?p=19990#comment-17837 Yes, that's the solution! Forget about contacting your elected representatives, be the first to go look the working poor in the eyes and tell them they need to pay $8 a gallon to assuage your liberal white guilt. Yes, that’s the solution! Forget about contacting your elected representatives, be the first to go look the working poor in the eyes and tell them they need to pay $8 a gallon to assuage your liberal white guilt.

]]> By: Barbara Fitzpatrick http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2010/01/05/get-to-work-on-the-energy-and-jobs-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-17829 Barbara Fitzpatrick Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:49:49 +0000 http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/?p=19990#comment-17829 Most of these things are like repairing a hole in your roof - it costs something up front, but prevents much higher costs later. Yes, at the moment we're drowning in debt. The military budget is a large part of that. Since we went to no-bid contracts, we've enriched a few private corporations at the expense of millions of taxpayers. We're also still building Cold War equipment, mostly because nobody wants to face closing those factories and putting those communities out of work. If we use those same dollars more efficiently (and change what those factories make) we can pay the up-front costs and save money at the same time. Essentially, we've got to start thinking and planning - and spending - for long-term benefit instead of short-term greed. Most of these things are like repairing a hole in your roof – it costs something up front, but prevents much higher costs later. Yes, at the moment we’re drowning in debt. The military budget is a large part of that. Since we went to no-bid contracts, we’ve enriched a few private corporations at the expense of millions of taxpayers. We’re also still building Cold War equipment, mostly because nobody wants to face closing those factories and putting those communities out of work. If we use those same dollars more efficiently (and change what those factories make) we can pay the up-front costs and save money at the same time. Essentially, we’ve got to start thinking and planning – and spending – for long-term benefit instead of short-term greed.

]]> By: Me http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2010/01/05/get-to-work-on-the-energy-and-jobs-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-17810 Me Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:49:07 +0000 http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/?p=19990#comment-17810 Where will the money come from to pay for all of these jobs? Aren't we already drowning in debt? Where will the money come from to pay for all of these jobs? Aren’t we already drowning in debt?

]]> By: Craig http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2010/01/05/get-to-work-on-the-energy-and-jobs-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-17809 Craig Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:59:33 +0000 http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/?p=19990#comment-17809 All good ideas. However, the reason we're in no hurry for green energy is that existing energy is still too cheap. For example, the cost of a gallon of gas should also include the cost of our (ridiculous) nation building in the middle east region. (OK, it's an arguable point why we're there, but at least in part to civilize the people who own the oil fields. Though they're not completely to blame; we've committed numerous sins of our own over there.) If a gallon of gas cost 6 or 8 bucks, there'd be a real push for green energy! All good ideas. However, the reason we’re in no hurry for green energy is that existing energy is still too cheap. For example, the cost of a gallon of gas should also include the cost of our (ridiculous) nation building in the middle east region.

(OK, it’s an arguable point why we’re there, but at least in part to civilize the people who own the oil fields. Though they’re not completely to blame; we’ve committed numerous sins of our own over there.)

If a gallon of gas cost 6 or 8 bucks, there’d be a real push for green energy!

]]> By: burgerboy http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2010/01/05/get-to-work-on-the-energy-and-jobs-bills/comment-page-1/#comment-17803 burgerboy Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:03:16 +0000 http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/?p=19990#comment-17803 Nice work. Nice work.

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