Mid-Week Thoughts

Comparing High and Low Residential Density: Life-Cycle Analysis of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

J. Urban Plng. and Devel. 132, 10 (2006)

http://link.aip.org/link/?JUPDDM/132/10/1

Recently, I ran across an article titled: "Comparing High and Low Residential Density: Life-Cycle Analysis of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions" What I love best about it is that it’s not written by environmentalists or urban planners. It’s published by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Much of the criticism we "progressives" get seems to come from retired engineers. I'm not sure why. Most of my family members are all engineers, yet they seem to all put up with my ideas and political views quite well. Maybe they are just being polite...

Anyway, it’s nice to finally have a paper that says what planners and environmentalist alike have been saying for years - that city living can actually be a more energy efficient and sustainable lifestyle than a sprawling suburban one. By concentrating most of our infrastructure in one area - we not only keep down on the costs of building said infrastructure - but we also are able to keep more land outside of the urban area open and undeveloped.

This leads me to another topic… the Ascension Parish Comprehensive Plan and the front page of The Advocate (“Growing Pains in Ascension, July 25th). Do me a favor, and read this article closely. I’ll be commenting on that whopper soon.

Off to tame the wild rug rats upstairs and make them go to bed. Before I go, here is your parting thought for the day: “Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open.”

Goodnight!
Ann

4 Things You Didn't Know You Could Recycle

1. Computer and Electronics: The closest electronic recycling locating to Ascension Parish is the Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council or CACRC.
2. Ink/toner cartridges: http://www.recycleplace.com/
3. Oil: Find used motor oil hot line for each state: http://www.recycleoil.org/
4. Phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: http://www.collectivegood.com/ Also, try "Call to Protect". They reprogram cell phones to dial 911 and give them to domestic violence victims: http://www.donatephone.com/

Source: http://www.greenamericatoday.org/

Insight into the minds of "nay-sayers"

Ever gone to a public meeting armed with iron-clad facts that you believed no logical human could dispute only to find your opposition digging their feet into the ground even deeper and refusing to listen to reason? If so, check out this article.

How Facts Backfire

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/07/11/how_facts_backfire/

New Louisiana Law Protects Home Owner Rights

Every subdivision probably has one - that person who reports everything you do to the HOA as a possible infringement of the HOA's Regulations. Now environmentalists and independent minded folk alike have something to cheer about. On June 17 Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the Solar Rights Bill into the Law! The new Act 274 will take effect on August 15.

Basically, HOA's can no longer prevent you from installing solar on your home - even if it is specifically restricted in the regulations. With Hurricane season looming (not to mention the oil gusher in the Gulf) and the best tax incentives in the nation - there has never been a better time to make this "win/win" investment into renewable energy.

FYI, the federal government will give you a 30% tax credit and the state will give you a REFUNDABLE tax credit of 50% off the cost of your solar power system! That’s almost like getting 80% off! Want to learn more or find a reputable solar installer in your area? Check out the Louisiana Solar Energy Society at http://www.lses.org/

Before I sign off today, I'd like to shout out a great big THANK YOU to Darryl Hunt, testifying on behalf of the Sierra Club, LSES director Jeff Shaw and Rep. Franklin Foil for their dedication to renewable energy. Good work guys!

~Ann

Photo: Courtesy of Gulf South Solar

Welcome!

Before I explain the title of this blog (Tin Foil Hats) I'd like to share with you a bit of our philosophy here at Ascension Forward. Basically, we are a soon-to-be-incorporated non-profit organization headquartered in the fastest growing parish in Louisiana.

The mission of Ascension Forward is to promote sustainable development concepts in North Ascension Parish that would benefit the quality of life and health of its citizens. Our goal is to help make this part of Ascension Parish an attractive place for people to live, work, shop and play by helping to increase investment in amenities such as sidewalks, parks, trails and bike paths, while working to maintain the rural character and rich cultural heritage of our parish. Ascension Forward believes that through citizen education and careful planning, we will create a means for embracing our future as one of the fastest growing parishes in the country. Ascension Forward will:

• Work to maintain green spaces and improve outdoor recreation opportunities
• Educate the press, community and developers on sustainability and the principles of smart growth and how they can improve quality of life and increase property values, while attracting the right kind of businesses and investment
• Regularly meet with government and planning officials to educate them on proper land use practices and sustainability (including but not limited to storm water management, renewable energy and energy efficiency)
• Facilitate individual communities in the planning process by encouraging its citizens to work together to develop their own visions for future growth and development
• Foster better communication between the government and its citizens
• Promote the use of renewable energy and educate the community on available tax credits and practical applications of the different options available to them
• Promote and increase public participation in recycling programs while working with the parish to expand services with the ultimate goal of having curbside recycling throughout the parish
• Promote and support the development of a comprehensive transportation plan for the parish

So, what do you think? Want to help us bring Ascension Parish up into the 21st century? Tell me what your vision of an ideal Ascension Parish would be…
Ciao! ~ Ann