Four the Future - September 12

Today: Grass-waste-to-energy plant, energy audits, historical preservation, and an environmental public survey.

• Biofuel project in Spokane County wins $90,000 grant
  Source: Spokesman-Review; September 9, 2010
  Summary: A local company was provided a $90,000 USDA grant to automate the conversion of bluegrass straw into fuel. A 2,000 acre farm could produce enough fuel to recoup the cost of the system in 3-4 years. These electrical generators will become available in about 18 months.
  Opinion: That's a 25% return on investment. You tell me an industry, other than private medical insurance companies and other financial scams, that can do better than that! And now you don't have to burn the straw in the fields. Sounds like an excellent investment in grant monies.
  
• Energy audit can lead to big savings
  Source: Spokesman-Review; September 12, 2010
  Summary: Energy audits can save a great deal of money by reducing your need energy without sacrificing comfort. Audits can cause several thousand dollars, and retrofits can cost several thousand more. However, the return on investment can be high, paying off in just a few years. Grants are available to help reduce the cost. You can reduce that cost by reading up.
  Opinion: There are links to other web sites and a book suggestion on the Spokesman site. I know it's hard to contemplate investing thousands of dollars in your home during a recession, especially in a recession focused on the value of your home. But if you still have some equity in your house, this is a good investment to make, since it could potentially save you money each month, and it should only take a few years to pay it off. And it's all money in your pocket after that. You can learn more about starting your own home assessment at the Energy Star web site.
  
• Historic preservation chapter will be added to city's plan
  Source: Spokesman-Review; September 11, 2010
  Summary: The City of Millwood has added a historic preservation chapter to its comprehensive plan. Greg Mott said, "We are helping to preserve our community."
  Opinion: Millwood is known for its neighborhood-style physical environment. If the city were to ignore it, nothing in the resulting rules would support it. Soon, main street would be torn down and replaced by a Wal*Mart, simply because the community had failed to say it was important to prevent it. They could make that choice, of course, but it should be a choice, not an oversight. Simply failing to have a historical preservation element in your comprehensive plan is just the same as having one that says, "Tear it down, boys!"
  
• State, tribe conducting survey on lake water
  Source: Spokesman-Review; September 12, 2010
  Summary: The State of Idaho and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe are conducting an online survey to see how knowledgeable residents are on water quality and permitting processes. The survey might result in a public education effort.
  Opinion: I know you're all responsible, but merely as a public service announcement, please don't go answer the questions unless you actually live there. Here are some sample questions:
  • What agencies or entities can you think of that have some kind of jurisdiction over activities that affect lake water quality? (multiple choice)
  • What do you know about the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s efforts regarding Coeur d’Alene Lake? (essay question)
  • Excess phosphorus and nitrogen flowing into the lake from rivers and streams are a water quality concern (rate 1 to 5)
  Generally, this is the appropriate use of surveys. Personally, I think it's wrong to govern based on opinion polls, but they can be useful to gauge the public's perception of issues.