The house was full for a Healthy Planet
Initiatives potluck dinner program on energy. Some of the participants,
front table from the left: Milton Reigelman, Sarah Vahlkamp, Caroline
Stephens, Arielle Knudsen, Truly Mount, and Jim Taylor.
Speaker Geoff Young explains that there are tremendous gains to be made
in
reducing energy needs by using smart design and efficiency.
Energy was the topic at a potluck dinner sponsored by Healthy Planet Initiatives citizen’s group on Sunday. Geoff Young, co-chair of the Bluegrass Sierra Club’s Conservation Committee, told the group of the “tremendous efficiency potential" available in Kentucky and across the nation.
"It’s like a resource out there
just waiting to be harvested,” said Young, a former employee of the State
Division of Energy.
Saving energy,
for example, by better sealing and weatherizing homes, is a cost
effective use of energy dollars. Energy efficiency can eliminate the need
for costly new power plants and reduce the burning of coal.
Young advocated good building design. For example, it's important to properly design buildings to use daylight efficiently and not simply add bigger windows which can cause glare.
Young advocated good building design. For example, it's important to properly design buildings to use daylight efficiently and not simply add bigger windows which can cause glare.
“People
like natural light - so it's improving the quality as well as saving
energy,” Young said.
He described
solar heated water and geothermal systems as two good renewable energy
strategies. The United States is “way behind” other countries in
the use of renewable energy, he noted.
Young
criticized the state's energy strategy, saying it is "unfortunate for
the environment." He explained that there are good provisions regarding
renewable energy in the state’s energy subsidy bill. But the acceleration
of the mining of coal causes damage to the land and water. And using liquid
coal instead of gasoline “ about doubles the amount of global warming
pollution."