Wednesday July 1, 2009, 12:18 pm
Victory on climate change boosts president's position
· Suzanne Goldenberg, US environment correspondent
· The Observer, Sunday 28 June 2009
· Article history
The epic battle over universal health care is still to be fought, but Barack Obama moved to capitalize on a defining moment of his presidency yesterday - a vote in Congress to act on global warming - saying the time had arrived for America to show international leadership on climate change.
The White House shifted the topic of Obama's address from healthcare to energy after the vote, seeking to build momentum for the ambitious climate change bill ahead of its next hurdle in the Senate. The first round, in the House of Representatives on Friday night, barely went to Obama. The Democratic leadership, despite making concessions to dissidents from oil and coal states, eked out only a 219-212 victory. A total of 44 Democrats opposed the bill.
But environmentalists claimed the vote as a milestone: the first time either house of Congress had acted to reduce the carbon emissions that cause climate change. It was also a validation of Obama's powers of persuasion. The president put energy reform at the heart of his White House agenda and jumped into a furious lobbying effort for its passage.
In his video address, Obama sought to bring home Friday night's victory, calling on the Senate to approve the bill so that America could catch up to the rest of the world in moving to a cleaner energy economy.
"We have seen other countries realize a critical truth: the nation that leads in the creation of a clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the 21st-century global economy," he said. "Now is the time for us to lead."
The international community had been waiting for America to take action on climate change and the vote gave a boost to efforts to reach a deal to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change.
India, a key player in the negotiations to reach a deal at Copenhagen, gave a cautious welcome. "Obviously having the US take the lead on climate change would have a significant impact on the current multilateral negotiations," India's climate change envoy said. "We would hope that the US will lead with ambitious actions."
Environmentalists, who had despaired during eight years of George Bush of ever seeing action on climate change, said the bill, though weaker than they might have liked, was still a signature achievement.
"The fact is, just weeks ago, few in Washington believed that this day would come to pass. The best bet - the safe bet - was that after three decades of failure, we couldn't muster the political will to tackle the energy challenge despite the necessity and urgency of action," Obama said on Friday night.
The bill would gradually impose a ceiling on the carbon emissions that cause global warming, ultimately cutting them by 83% from 2005 levels by 2050 by forcing industries to obtain permits for the emissions they release in the atmosphere, or to buy offsets by investing in cleansing projects like planting trees.
The bill would also compel utility companies to obtain a share of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar.
The biggest weakness in the bill is its target of cutting carbon emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020, which represents only a marginal reduction compared with Europe.
However, Greenpeace opposed the package, saying it had been badly weakened by the concessions made to win over conservative Democrats from oil and coal states.

Thursday July 2, 2009, 8:25 am
The bill is another example of galloping totalitarianism

Clean Energy and Security Act brings auditors into your home
Excerpt
Here is an in-depth breakdown of the audit:

704.1.2.3 The Home Energy Survey Professional shall request copies of utility bills or
written permission to obtain the energy use information from the utility company, and use
them to produce an estimate of generalized end-uses (base, heating, and cooling).
704.1.2.5. Minimum Procedures for an In-Home Energy Survey:
704.1.2.5.1.1 R-values of wall/ceiling/floor insulation
704.1.2.5.1.2 Square footage and approximate age of home
704.1.2.5.1.3 Type of windows: glazing type(s) and frame material(s)
704.1.2.5.1.4 Type, model number, and location of heating/cooling system(s)
704.1.2.5.1.5 Type of ductwork, location and R-value of duct insulation, and any
indications of previous duct sealing
704.1.2.5.1.6 Type of foundation is crawl, basement, or slab
704.1.2.5.1.7 Checklist of common air-leakage sites indicating likely opportunities
for leakage reduction
704.1.2.5.1.8 Estimated age and efficiency of major appliances such as
dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and dryers
704.1.2.5.1.9 Number and type of hardwired light fixtures and screw-in bulbs in
portable lamps suitable for energy efficient re-lamping
704.1.2.5.1.10 Visual indications of condensation
704.1.2.5.1.11 Presence and location of exhaust fans, and determination of whether
they are vented outdoors
704.1.2.5.1.12 Number and type of water fixtures (e.g. faucets, showerheads)
704.1.2.5.1.13 Presence and type(s) of combustion equipment; identification of
visually identifiable evidence of flame rollout, blocked chimney, and corroded or
missing vent connector.

There is no doubt homes need to be more efficient, however, this audit will drain the pockets of the unlucky people whose houses are older and/or cheaply made due to builder irresponsibility. Let’s say your builder used cheap windows, very little insulation or a high-water toilet, the cost of those upgrades will be in the thousands of dollars. By making the recommended changes, you will receive a tax credit for improvements made under the energy star program. Please note, most rebates are 30% of cost, maximum $1500. Good luck if your central air is deemed unacceptable. After the upgrades are completed, you must have the auditors back out to your property for a final inspection. Early reports of denying audits carry a misdemeanor charge and a $2000 fine for each count. The more you deny, the more you pay.
http://www.examiner.com/x-14613-Kansas-City-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m7d1-Clean-Energy-and-Security-Act-brings-auditors-into-your-home

Thursday July 2, 2009, 8:49 am
Ms. Judy,
Maybe then should it be the builders' problem and not the buyer...?

Friday July 3, 2009, 11:22 am
It makes sense to me, the builder's should know the precautions they need to take to make the building efficient and the buyers trust them because how did the builder become a builder in the first place, yes there are some corrupt people in places of position that are important but how are we supposed to know that, i mean some people aren't investigator's and as far as i'm concerned don't have the money to hire one anyway.