Energy tax credits go to the home owners...

I try to be conscientious when looking out for a house to rent and ask the right questions. Simple questions, like, how much does it cost to heat & cool this place? Does it have good windows and insulation? Is my thermostat somehow controlled by another tenant?

Unfortunately I, like many renters out there, tend to be largely guided by the monthly rental price of the house/apartment in question. Particularly when you think of the college students and younger peeps looking for a place to call their temporary home, they're not exactly the most discerning. So we end up with rat holes that somehow manage to squeeze by city inspectors and cost a bare minimum to build. Heating and cooling these swiss cheese-like unites can be damn expensive...not only to our wallets, but to nature as well.

A whopping 39% of CO2 emissions in the US can be attributed to the residential and commercial building sector (more than transportation). It's mainly due to the energy needs to heat, cool, and light our buildings. Although we have begun to take steps (or half steps) in creating energy efficiency targets and incentives, who & what are we missing out on? RENTERS!

Landlords have zero incentives to make energy efficient changes in their rental units. Just to list a few, here are the federal tax credits available to primary homeowners, but not renters & their landlords:
* Windows and Doors
* Insulation
* Roofs
* HVACs
* Non-solar Water Heaters
* Biomass Stoves
* Fuel cells
Seriously? The worst windows I've seen aren't in people's primary houses...and the worst electricity bills are payable by the people who can least afford them. The DOE does offer a weatherization program that includes renters, though they have to seek permission from their landlords before applying. It would be interesting to find out how many renters have received assistance...

Even on a local level, my fair City of Lawrence offers a weatherization program that only target primary homeowners! Weatherization programs should target low-income households, where they are most in need.

Any thoughts as to why most federal, state, and local incentives seem to skip renters? Perhaps it's tied to voting?

Bicycling made easy

I have to say, I'm impressed with the City of Lawrence today. I had a lovely ride into downtown last night along the hiker-biker trail called Burroughs Creek (named for the Naked Lunch writer). The paved trail connects East Lawrence with the downtown area and spans north-south from 11th & Oregon to 23rd and Haskell. It's connected with the first converted rail trail in the State of Kansas, the Haskell Rail Trail. I created a small google map here.

First impressions: the city did something right. Perfect 10' width, plenty of treeline and vegetation alongside, and...most importantly, signage!! I know it's odd to get excited about a yield sign or a "steep curve ahead" arrow, but I've never seen anything like it in DC. You'd be lucky to find your way on trails like Rock Creek Park or Sligo Creek in suburban Maryland. Signage is usually regarded as unnecessary for cycling/hiking paths. I mean, these paths are just for recreation after all. Of course, a number of municipal planners would be surprised if they ever bothered to count the commuting cyclists who take advantage of designated pathways.

Other than the signage surprise, I also thought the major street crossings (like 19th and 13th) were very well done. Cyclists and hikers have a clear stop sign and a pedestrian crossing signal to use. Drivers are alerted ahead of time and advised to yield to crossing cyclists. Seems like a well developed plan overall. The only thing that needs improvement are these short barriers to keep out motorized vehicles...little if any reflective tape, so they're almost perfectly designed to topple over an unsuspecting cyclist or jogger at night. I sent a note to the city asking for illuminated signage or some kind of advanced notice.

Honestly, I can't imagine a better commute than a peaceful cycling trip down a quiet path (where cars can't mow you over out of spite). Lawrence should be proud of its new pathway and start advertising to get the message out. Let's push people to take advantage of their new alternative transportation options!