kyotousa’s Recent Comments

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  grassroots solutions

  Big federal public works projects that install renewables and feed-in tariffs for residential and non-residential electrcity users are two key elements in the swift transition to carbon free energy.

  While Adam and Mike are working on those solutions, the rest of us who are itching to get involved, need to look no further than our local public schools. Beset by growing budget shortfalls our schools are in real jeopardy. They can, however, begin to address their fiscal problems by implementing strict conservation requirements, improving efficiencies in existing energy systems, and adding renewable systems to their rooftops and parking lots.

  We've developed a model (HELiOS) for California public schools (that should work in any state that offers rebates or incentives for renewable energy systems) that demonstrates how it is possible to install a PV system without increasing a school district's operating costs. All that it requires is the modest financial support of the local community. Once installed, the district pays for the PV system from its avoided electricity costs.

  California has nearly 10,000 public schools and many additional district owned buildings. It's not hard to imagine California's schools producing 500 to 1,000 MW and more while creating good paying jobs, reducing carbon emissions, and showing our children that we're serious about addressing climate change.    

  You can see how HELiOS works at our in-progress, not yet released website: www.heliosproject.net And you can always contact us if you want more information.
     

  Tom Kelly

  On Solar's bright ideas for the green stimulus package posted 10 months, 2 weeks ago 4 Responses

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  city financed solar hot water

  The City of Santa Cruz is working on its own version of Berkeley FIRST - municipal financing for solar hot water. Systems will be paid for via the resident's water bill. Shorter payoff, big savings.

  Tom Kelly

  On Municipal property assessment financing for solar and energy efficiency posted 1 year ago 14 Responses

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  Just say no

  The recommendations for eating healthy and sustainable fish require a consumer to be pretty savvy about this issue. I've watched health department colleagues try to pass those messages on to the public for years with little effect. I have a simple solution - let's give the fish and the planet a break and end our consumption of fish and other aquatic animals. Get your fatty acids from vegetables. We'll reduce our exposure to mercury (especially children and women of child-bearing age), give the wild species a chance to rebound, and do away with farmed animals who are treated cruelly and end fish farming practices that affect the health of the oceans and other wild species. Problems solved!

  Tom Kelly

  On Amid collapsing fisheries and factory-farmed salmon, how to choose sustainable seafood posted 1 year, 2 months ago 33 Responses

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  Not just for the rich

  It's true that the climate crisis we are facing is so dire that leaving the solutions up to the market seems short sighted at best. Government should be helping to underwrite the cost of renewable and efficiencies. To some extent it has done so with rebates and tax incentives, but it still leaves a significant number of people who, but for the cost, would be glad to put up PV or insulate their homes.

  Some cities get it. San Francisco has an excellent rebate for low income homeowners that does a pretty good job of making solar affordable. Recent changes in the California Solar Inititiative also provide enhanced rebates for low income homeowners. It's not enough, but it does point out that some are doing more. Those are the type of examples we, as advocates, should be using to demonstrate that it is possible for everyone to participate.  

  Tom Kelly

  On California's innovative energy efficiency loan program is a model worth copying posted 1 year, 3 months ago 5 Responses

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  Necessity, not luxury

  Bravo to the State of California for making it possible for cities to provide financing for energy efficiencies and renewables. It will be interesting to see if it results in an upsurge in solar installations and efficiency upgrades.

  It could have a remarkable effect if we would all stop wringing our hands over "payback" periods to determine if switching to renewables or more efficient technology is affordable. Ask yourself this: when you go into a car dealership (if that's still a place you're likely to visit), how often do you ask the salesperson to calculate the "payback" on the car? You don't - because a car is generally considered to be necessity. And that's the attitude we have to adopt with existing technologies like solar panels. The implementation of solutions that will help to stave off irreversible changes in the planet's finely tuned climate shouldn't be calculated on a typical cost-benefit analysis.

  If you live in Berkeley, CA you can sign up its financing program which is set to kick-off this fall. Making this program work in Berkeley will give other California cities the confidence to launch their own programs. See, http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=22620 ...
   

  Tom Kelly

  On California's innovative energy efficiency loan program is a model worth copying posted 1 year, 3 months ago 5 Responses