So, I'll go slightly off topic:
How many of us complain about enviro issues, yet don't own solar energy panels at our very own homes? How many complain about these issues, yet have never had an energy study done on our dwelling, or vehicle? It becomes readily apparent that the economics don't mete out with our morals. Solar is expensive to install, expensive to produce, and not really ecologically sensitive. But, their ongoing cost of ownership can be huge!
Solar hot water systems are possibly the cheapest to install. Solar panels on your roof doesn't take you very far unless the building itself is energy efficient. Traditional stick built homes in america are horrible envelopes for energy efficiency. but to tear off the siding and drywall, and re-insulate is very expensive. So new construction is the only viable target for LEEDs projects. But still construction techniques and technology take too long to infiltrate the "old timers".
Me, I'd love to see the Feds do 1 meaningful regulation nationally for a change and that is to require that a minimum percentage of all new residential housing (regardless of type) use post-consumer materials, and that all federally-funded commercial buildings (recipient of Fed $) use a minimum of 40% post-consumer, and have a LEEDs rating minimum. And every dang Fed building be torn down, sold, or rehabbed to meet these standards (save historical buildings of course).
Forget all the fuel standards and meaningless hodgepodge of industry regulations that don't effect our emissions, but instead focus on where we use 90% of all our energy (at work and home). Sign me up for that!
