HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/3/2019 Item 18, Baldwin D
From:
2019 11:26 AM
To:Harmon, Heidi; Pease, Andy; Christianson, Carlyn; Gomez, Aaron; Stewart, Erica; E-mail
Council Website
Subject: Agenda Item 18, “Consideration of a Resolution Eliminating
Energy Choice”
Dear Council Members,
Item 18, on tonight’s Council Agenda has some major flaws. Government bureaucracies should not be choosing winners
and losers between two competing energy options or any other product/service for that matter!
1) The proposed policy does not urge the continued operation of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant which
produces 23% of all the carbon-free generation in the entire state! It can supply the electrical needs of more than 3
million people. Why isn’t the City of San Luis Obispo in front of the CPUC telling them to keep this plant open?
Especially, since the operating costs are very low compared to other sources of electricity. All the cities in California that
are proposing 100% electric buildings and not fighting to save Diablo Canyon have no credibility. To replace the energy
produced by Diablo Canyon with Solar PV or Wind will be very very expensive! Natural gas power plants will replace
most of Diablo Canyon’s lost power and the City is trying to outlaw a few natural gas appliances? Please watch the link to
a TED talk on this subject – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-yALPEpV4w&feature=youtu.be This is a very
interesting perspective by an environmentalist.
2) The proposed policy adds more regulations to the building process that will drive up the costs of constructing
new housing. The operating costs of electrical appliances (dryer, oven, furnace and hot water heater) will be 2 to 4 times
more than natural gas costs.
3) Policies that force people to do things that aren’t cost-effective are bad policies. What percentage of the City of
SLO's own energy usage is currently offset by local solar PV? It’s very ironic that the City is approving a diesel contract at
tonight’s meeting!
4) When does the city plan to ban gasoline, diesel fuel, propane, jet fuel, plastics, asphalt for roads, lubricants,
tires, beef, milk, cheese, floor wax, ballpoint pens, upholstery, nail polish, perfumes, caulking, dishwasher parts,
petroleum jelly, curtains, basketballs, soap, vitamin capsules, purses, shoes, footballs, panty hose, life jackets, skis, shag
rugs, electrician’s tape, car battery cases, paint, mops, slacks, umbrellas, fertilizers, hair coloring, roofing, toilet seats,
fishing rods, lipstick, linoleum, ice cube trays, synthetic rubber, tennis rackets, rubber cement, fishing boots, dice, candles,
trash bags, hand lotion, luggage, aspirin, safety glasses, football helmets, eyeglasses, toothbrushes, paint brushes,
balloons, telephones and numerous other products?
5) Unfortunately, no one is talking about the real problem. The global population has increased from 1.6 billion in
1900 to 7.7 billion today. Humans emit about 0.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year by just exhaling!
I oppose the city penalizing the use of natural gas and this Item 18 Resolution. The number one goal of the City of SLO
should be to save Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant and the billions (kWhs) of carbon-free electricity that are produced
by it! Otherwise, your concern for the environment and climate is hollow.
Sincerely,
David Baldwin
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