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The Clean Power Plan and What You Can Do

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 22 June 2016 12:23

Two months back, Jessica Hardcastle of Environmental Leader described an especially non-polarizing (compared to the Kyoto Accord) Clean Power Plan that would ensure coal burning power plants would cut emissions by a figure of more than thirty percent by 2030. Despite the 27 states filing lawsuits, paired with over twenty energy companies, major US brands seem to be backing the EPA-driven clean power plan. Some of these brands are not to be overlooked, especially once they are able to speak at a court on June 2nd. Included in the oral arguments hearing are Amazon, Apple, and Google, among other notables. The three mentioned here seem to be among the some of the largest users of electricity too, so although there may be something for them to lose they are certainly willing to comply if it means greater energy efficiency for future generations.

 

With all of this happening very much in the now, and news reporting of this seldom coming to the twitter-verse or the Facebook news feed, it’s important for us to consider what to do at home. Speaking of home, what about heating and cooling. The residential sector is a large contributor to energy loss in of itself. DOE’s 2011 Buildings Energy Data Book states that HVAC is taking up almost half of the energy per hour demands. Still, we as residents aren’t exactly being scolded with the same regulations as businesses. This is for right or wrong, we aren’t here to discuss that, however, we are discussing what can be done.

 

Homeowners

 

Existing programs are not taking competent measures to make sure that homeowners are energy efficient. Homeowners themselves face a plethora of options to ensure their own sanity in a world facing energy crisis. The first step is to assess the situation. The department of energy has developed a scoring system for such an exercise.

 

If your home was built earlier than 2005, you might be seeing a lower score than desired. This doesn’t mean a total restructure of the home; you can take many small measures to ensure energy efficiency in the home. Not only are you going to notice monetary savings, but you’ll be doing the environment a favor too. 

 

 

Appliances and Energy Use

 

Small spaces in homes make dealing with energy a much easier task, but unlike small apartments, large homes make it difficult to know where to start. It’s suggested that one start with appliances. Replacing light bulbs is a good way to start, one in which you can notice some qualitative results in your monthly power bill.

 

The next step would be to look into unplugging devices when you aren’t using them and further this by tackling some unnecessary devices, like cutting down on leaving television or radio on. After all, the economic toll that Netflix can do is already seen to be quite catastrophic. If you’d like to continue the onslaught of appliance and eco-damaging affects of the modern home, it is recommended to review an eco-friendly living checklist such as this.

 

Structural Issues

 

Every college sophomore’s nightmare is the house that is close to campus, cheap, but fairs so poorly during winter that steam is visibly rising from the refrigerator. Perhaps, reading this, there isn’t that perspective, but again if you house was built before 2003, maybe early 1900s, you might be facing some structural issues. Homes built in that time period are said to leave a collective hole twelve inches in radius. Leaving heat to escape in winter months from many cracks, floorboards, and window seals.

 

This could strike fear in the hearts of any homeowner. The best, and quickest route, here is to get a LEED certification. No, this doesn’t mean changing all the light bulbs in the house to LED, rather it entails permanent structures cause little to no damage on the surrounding eco-system. Because energy draws can affect a local ecosystem in hostile manner, LEED is a great way to test structural efficiency of the home.

  • LEED certified buildings use less water and power 

  • The EPA estimates that indoor air is between two and ten times more polluted than outdoor air.

  • LEED-certified homes are designed to maximize fresh air indoors and minimize exposure to airborne toxins and pollutants.

  • LEED certified homes are proven to sell faster and for more money. 

 

Whatever the issue may be, residential power is still going to be taxing the grid in a big way. Regardless of what your concerns are you should have a professional assess the situation and make recommendations. While only the business side is facing strict penalties, home owners and renters alike should be sure to act now before it is too late.

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Ryan T De La Rosa

Ryan De La Rosa is a writer living in rural Pacific Northwest. Hoping to get a feel for the United States' tiniest places and write about it too, he's bought a small RV and is set to travel to a new place every six weeks.

twitter.com/fernsandmoss

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