Posted in fairness to CO's Energy Code Board. Speaking up in front of the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission.
Posted in the interest of fairness.
I have posted a fair bit about the Energy Code Board and how that unelected group just handed down a bunch of new code requirements on this state relating to things like the required amount of insulation buildings must have and requiring hookups and wiring for EV's and solar in new construction.
I got an email recently this week and thought that I should update a little in the interest of fairness.
One thing that irks about programs like these is that it places a burden on people in this state: consumers get to pay more for new construction, local governments get to pay more to enforce the rules these folks come up with.
To their credit, part of the law that created this board also frees up some state grant money to help pay for the impact it have on local governments.
Is it a lot? Is it a little? I'm not sure. For that you'd need to talk to your local government and their code enforcement people to determine whether the grants mentioned in the link below go a long or a short way to making up the cost of this new energy code.
It's not nothing, however, and so it's worth noting.
As to grants to you and I if we buy a new house that will cost more because of these more stringent standards, I think we're on our own. If I hear different, I'll update.
https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/clean-energy-programs/clean-energy-grants/energy-code-adoption-enforcement-grant-program
My testimony in front of the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) on Wednesday 7/19.
I testified virtually to the AQCC on the 19th and wanted to share it with you. I wanted to do this for a few reasons.
First, I wanted to reinforce the idea that you can speak in general at these meetings. That is, you needn't be a subject matter expert.
Second. I wanted to offer you some words (if you find them helpful) and ideas that you can use in case you want to follow suit.
Lastly, I wanted to show you that you don't have to be perfect to do this, because I sure as hell am not. I stammer at points. I ran out of time and didn't say everything I wanted to. If only speaking were like writing where you can edit and revise. Nonetheless, I survived it. My testimony may not have been perfect, but it is now in front of the commissioners and on the record.
Commissions like these (as I indicated at the end of my testimony) need to hear from people that have a different perspective, that disagree.
They need to hear from people that are not either professional advocates or one of the legion of volunteers given a script to read out by one of those advocacy groups.
If I can help you find opportunities to speak up (something that might match your passion) or help you get started, please don't hesitate to ask.
Testimony is in the attached screenshot.
A quick note: I rewrote my planned testimony to be closer to what I actually said (I will sometimes speak off the cuff and sometimes write out what I want to say ahead of time--this time I had prepared remarks). I did this from memory the next morning and so it may not be 100% verbatim. If you do want the verbatim, go to the AQCC site and pull audio from the meeting. I'm at about the 1:15 mark.
