Win/Win/Win- Merkley Introduces Bill to Create Jobs and Lower Energy Costs for Rural Communities

[babylonsister]

http://merkley.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=69edc678-591d-449c-af2c-fba66ba1bc91

Merkley Introduces Bill to Create Jobs and Lower Energy Costs for Rural Communities
"Bipartisan Group of Senators and House Members backs Rural Energy Savings Program"
March 10, 2010


WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced legislation today to create jobs and lower energy bills for families and small businesses in rural communities by promoting energy-saving home renovations. The Rural Energy Savings Program would assist rural electric co-ops in offering “on-bill” financing to their customers, allowing families and businesses to repay the loan through savings on their monthly energy bill. Oregon has 18 electric co-ops serving communities across the state.

Original co-sponsors of the Rural Energy Savings Program include Senators Jeff Merkley, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D), and Michael Bennett (D-Colo.). A companion bill in the House of Representatives was introduced by Representatives James Clyburn (D-S.C), Tom Perriello (D-Va.), Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), and John Spratt (D-S.C.).

“For our rural communities to recover and thrive in the wake of the economic crisis, we need to put people back to work and lower families’ expenses, and the Rural Energy Savings Program does both,” Senator Merkley said. “This program will help the families and businesses in rural areas who can’t afford the cost of a home or building renovation by offering them low-cost loans that they can repay out of the money they will save on their energy bills.”

“This bill provides for energy conservation, job creation and cost-effective upgrades that will improve consumers’ quality of life,” House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn said. “There is such broad support for this initiative because it is a win-win-win proposition.”

"Oregon electric cooperatives applaud Senator Merkley for his proposal to encourage energy efficiency and create jobs in our rural communities," Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association Executive Director Ted Case said.

To borrow money to fund local energy-efficiency programs, individual co-ops or state-based groups of co-ops will apply to the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) within the US Department of Agriculture.

The legislation has also received support from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

[depakid]

1. Merkley's an up and coming leader- people would be wise to get on that bandwagon early

The guy's been in the Senate for a little over a year, and he's already been out in front of more effective legislation than two thirds of sorry backbenchers and "centrists" on both sides of the aisle.

[BlueIris]

2. Good for you, Mr. Merkley.

It appears he's going to hang in there for now.

[pipoman]

3. Sounds good

as a rural electric coop customer who could use a new, efficient furnace, windows, and insulation.

[babylonsister]

4. So sounds like you'd benefit from this. I think it's a pretty nifty plan myself. nt

[pipoman]

7. The thing I didn't realize

before we moved to the country is how much more utility bills are out here. Not as much cooling in the summer as heating in the winter. It is windy here when it feels still in town. This is good for open window weather, but sucks the heat out of the house in the winter....it's wort it, we like the solitude and wildlife. It would be nice if this comes to my state.

[SoCalDem]

9. Windbreaks...ASAP..

Most of the dense tall trees are not lovely to look at, but they do protect when that wind comes howling across the plain:)


http://agriculture.kzntl.gov.za/portal/publications/production_guidelines/conservation_farmland/cons_farm_2.9.htm

HE VALUE OF WINDBREAKS

The systematic planting of windbreaks on a farm brings the following benefits to various farming enterprises:

* wind speed is greatly reduced, preventing physical damage to flowers, fruit and plants by dust, hail, snow and abrasion. Both the quantity and the quality of the crop is improved by the planting of windbreaks.

* The pernicious damage by wind erosion to the soil resource, which results in a lowering of soil fertility, is reduced,

* Lowering wind speed reduces the chill factor, resulting in higher stock survival,

* Lower wind speeds reduce evapotranspiration, resulting in more efficient use of available soil moisture,

* Low wind speeds facilitate pollination by bees, which is important where grain or fruit is produced,

* Shelter is provided for desirable birds and animals,

* Protection from wind prevents lodging of crops such as maize,

* Windbreaks can supply products such as timber, poles and firewood and provide nectar and pollen for honey production, and

* Windbreaks add to the attractiveness of a farm.



Figure 1. How a windbreak works



While many of the advantages of windbreaks are intangible or difficult to measure, the following direct benefits have been reported:

* In Denmark crop yield was increased 4,5 times more than what was sacrificed in providing shelter,

* In the United States the leafage of maize increased by 90% and the grain yield by 100 to 150%, while under drought conditions lucerne protected by windbreaks produced up to three times the yield achieved without windbreak protection, and

* Windscar blemishes in citrus can be reduced from 40% to 10% by providing suitable windbreaks. This has a very large economic significance to the exporter.

It is estimated that 5% of a farm can be planted to windbreaks without reducing the overall yield.



DISADVANTAGES OF WINDBREAKS

* Windbreaks planted on the contour can trap cold air (resulting in frost pockets), or hot air (resulting in heat scorch), both of which can cause crop damage.

* Windbreaks running east-west will shade the southern side all day, reducing crop growth and slowing down the drying out of roads and poorly drained lands after rain.

* Land which would otherwise be under crops is taken up by trees.

* Tree roots can affect the productivity of the adjoining land for a distance of approximately their own height. This effect can, however, be greatly reduced by annually ripping a single deep line parallel to, and 3 to 4 metres away from, the tree line to keep tree roots away from the crop.

* Undesirable birds, such as finches, find shelter in windbreaks.

* Too dense a barrier can result in winds becoming turbulent in the lee of windbreaks, causing physical damage to crops.

* If the wrong tree species is chosen it may invade adjoining areas.


snip

[The Genealogist]

5. Just the kind of bill the country could use now...

Making American lives better with more jobs and positive steps for their consumption of energy. We need a lot more of this kind of legislation now!

[Bluenorthwest]

6. Jeff keeps making us proud!

Time to launder my Merkely tee shirt in time for the spring weather! I worked hard to elect Jeff, it was a close race, took days to count and we elected him to replace Gordon Smith, Republican. It was a pleasure to speak in Jeff's behalf, even though I started out with his rival during the Primary. Novick was a good candidate as well.
This is a wonderful idea that would really help in this county, across Oregon, and across the nation. Go Jeff!

[stevedeshazer]

8. Jeff Merkley is the Senate's Rookie of the Year.

Just read the guy's Senate website. A walking, talking progressive MACHINE.

http://www.merkley.senate.gov/

[Ramulux]

10. Michael Bennett is everywhere

This dude is kicking ass, he really needs to be held up as a example of what a progressive can be.