I would like to respond to some recent posts here that seem to critique a move towards fossil-fuel-free homes as an expensive luxury for high-minded hypocrites who blissfully ignore adverse cost impacts on those economically less well-off. Here are some relevant facts that may be of interest to LT readers.
Requiring new homes to be all-electric will not make them more expensive to build or operate. In fact, due to the almost miraculous energy efficiency of modern heat pumps, they tend to be LESS expensive to operate, thereby benefiting not only high-end homeowners but also less-affluent renters. (Not to mention the health benefits of cleaner indoor air.) A recent state study show the cost benefits are even better for multi-family housing than for single family homes. All-electric homes are not required to have an emergency generator. Whether someone wants to have an emergency generator is a personal choice; many homes powered by fossil fuels choose to have one. We mention emergency generators to underscore that we expect they would still be allowed as an option, when and if Lincoln adopts a bylaw. Even if you assume a generator to be an additional cost associated with an all-electric house, that likely will be offset by reduced operating costs. With regard to DIE, it's hard to come up with something with more disparate impact on people of color than our current fossil-fuel economy and the climate change it is causing. In America it typically is lower-income people - often people of color - who live closest to fossil fuel extraction areas, fuel refineries, power plants, and areas thickest with vehicle exhaust fumes, and who thereby suffer the most from the local pollution effects. Around the world, it is regions populated mainly by black and brown people that are getting hit the hardest by the many impacts of climate change. Those are the people who are most at risk of being pushed back into poverty and worse by extreme weather events, droughts, food shortages, and desperate migration attempts and ensuing political strife - even though they have done much less than the more developed, majority-white nations have done to cause the current climate crisis. That's why it is rightly said that "climate justice is racial justice". - Paul Shorb On Sat, Mar 26, 2022 at 1:16 PM Stephanie Smoot <stephanieesm...@gmail.com> wrote: > I found irony that they were adding all these programs but a waiting list > for senior tax work off spaces! > > On Sat, Mar 26, 2022 at 1:09 PM Richard Panetta <richardpane...@gmail.com> > wrote: > >> So did anyone else find any irony in a report given about inclusion >> diversity equity and anti racism then the very next article the presenting >> sponsor when questioned about losing electricity stated well you can JUST >> get a propane generator for those needs. Never mind a good generator can >> cost $5000 plus along with the yearly costs of the tank and propane. Just >> in case your non fossil fuel home loses power. >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> -- > Regards, > *Stephanie Smoot* > > 857 368-9175 work > 781 941-6842 personal cell > *617 595-5217 *work cell > 126 Chestnut Circle > Lincoln, MA 01773 > > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. > Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
-- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
