My husband and I disagree on very few things, or nothing we care to argue.  Invariably, we disagree on what temperature the house, car and hotel room should be.  He prefers ice cycles hanging from the ceiling fan and I do not own a snowsuit.  Now imagine if a committee of people had to decide what temperature the house should be.  My office cannot agree on a temperature.  Most of the women keep a sweater at their desk.  At least three times a week, I find myself discussing whether we should turn on the heater.  If you do not like the weather in south Louisiana just wait.  Within an hour and it will change.  Last week I was protecting my plants from frost.  Two days ago, it was in the 80's.  This weekend we are expecting another cold front.  Every day, I negotiate the thermostat with those I share space.  Thankfully, the government does not control the thermostat.  Government could bring a new level of efficiency, equity and customer service to the energy industry.

California is truly the cereal state.  The California Energy Commission has proposed the 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (see page 70), which mandates the installation of a Programmable Communicating Thermostat (PCT) connected to the Energy Management Control System (EMCS) via radio waves in all public buildings, commercial establishments and residences.  The EMCS adjusts the thermostats in all dwellings connected to the system in the event of an energy emergency.  The California Energy Commission (CEC) will have the ability to adjust the thermostat in all newly constructed buildings.  On January 30, 2008, the commission will consider adopting this policy.  California's energy infrastructure is incapable of supporting the citizens of that region during the summer heat waves.  The CEC proposes to solve the energy crisis by limiting the consumption of energy, without making significant efforts to increase the supply of energy. 

Like the baking soda, your thermostat is the victim of another government policy of quick and easy solutions.  Governor Schwarzenegger's energy policy is one of the most liberal in the nation.  The energy policies focus on reducing demand instead of increasing supply.  The supply divides further as the population increases.  Gov Schwarzenegger continually proposes large government solutions to economic problems.  California generally prefers to allow a compassionate government to consider the needs of the many in spite of sacrifices made by the individual.  The North County Times reviewed the proposed energy plan positively.  A true conservative leader would encourage market growth in the sector to provide more options to the consumer to solve their personal energy needs.  For a little balance, the “evil corporations” developed the PCT technology years ago to expedite payment.

America is facing a growing energy crisis.  Limiting energy consumption will only postpone the impending energy emergency.  Energy is one of the most regulated and taxed industries in the United States.  Ironically, it is also one of the most subsidized.  The Federal Government pays a subsidy of over fifty cent a gallon to ethanol producers.  While the government is paying ethanol producers, oil companies pay fines for exceeding the government imposed price caps during the 1970's and 1980's.  The Federal Government knows far more than you or I.  With this infinite wisdom, our bureaucratic machine is uses the oil companies fines to provide power to low income households.  The concept is difficult to grasp.  The government provides financial assistance to families unable to purchase power, because the inadequate supply has driven up cost.  The petroleum industry is forced to raise prices in order to pay for the fines.  More families are then in need of energy assistance. 

While Big Oil is busy helping those who are down on their luck, the ethanol and alternative energy industries are booming.  Bio-fuels, (with the possible exception being cellulosic ethanol) are not the long-term solutions to our energy crisis.  It is not wise to burn your food.  If large portions of our agriculture capacity are devoted to energy production, food prices will increase.  More families will then require government assistance for food.  If one were to follow the thermostat, the Federal Government should then ration food to the citizenry by means of satellite controlled Emergency Food Monitors in the esophagus at birth (or when any major medical repairs are made).  It would seem far more logical to grow more food.  The fines collected from the oil companies and ethanol subsidies could build several nuclear power plants around the nation.  Nuclear power plants produce more energy than any ethanol facility and leave all the corn Kansas in the fields for eating.  Upon commissioning, nuclear power plants will generate enough revenue from power sales to subsist without government intervention; I can go back to arguing about the thermostat with my husband.

But no one listens to me

-Patriotic Progeny

Posted:01/10/08