Do you want real solutions? .....

Last week, a Middleboro Selectman broadcast a radio program that included a representative of Alternative Energy, the Plymouth company that installed photovoltaics in the Charlie Horse Restaurant in Kingston, one of the partners of the Charlie Horse, and members of the Kingston Green Committee. (Please note: The Town of Kingston web site is user friendly, with information easily located.)

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The first portion of the program is mostly wasted time discussing the silly banners that are proposed to identify 'Historic Downtown Middleborough,' that I have described as 'lipstick on a pig.' (My apologies to the pig!)

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But after the first ~ 30 minutes of wasted air time, information was presented about energy that provides some insight.

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Note how the host doesn't want to hear 'energy conservation.'

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After a delay, I finally listened to the broadcast today (posted on the nemasket forum, link below).

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After hearing the host for the second time comment that his oil bills last winter were $1500 per month, a random survey of friends with larger homes seemed to indicate that was excessive. One friend with a home twice the size, spent $200 per month last winter. It should be noted that over the years, most have added insulation, replaced or improved windows, made efforts to seal air leaks and taken the necessary steps to reduce their energy consumption long before the price of oil skyrocketed. Another friend intends to install homemade hot air collectors to reduce consumption next winter.

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Coffee Shop Talk 7-17-08

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The Kingston Green Committee encountered problems with their initial vehicle review that seems consistent with those I raised more than a year ago when I requested a list of Town-owned vehicles. The list originated from the insurance agent and was not maintained in the Town's database for ready access. Those vehicles are not reflected in the individual department's budget and no periodic audit is conducted. At that time, 212 items were included on the list, but additional vehicles have since been added.

I suggested at that time, that the vehicles should be charged to each department and their fuel consumption and mileage recorded to enable the town to accurately assess the needs when purchases are considered. Fuel efficiency, recorded over time, would allow consideration of the elimination of gas guzzlers and more sensible replacements. Charging the costs to individual departments provides for greater transparency to voters and more accurate accounting.

Any discussion about reducing energy costs, both personal and municipal, needs to begin with conservation.