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Efficiency Push Starts At Home
Apr 14 - Tampa Tribune By Kevin Begos, Tampa Tribune, Fla. "I don't want to just review the mansion. I want to review the state," Crist said. "I just think it's a good idea to try to set an example." As scores of reporters followed him from the kitchen to the pool to the exercise room, Crist said the public energy audit was no accident. "I want our state to look more to solar, more to wind, more to nuclear," he said. "If we can have a million solar roofs -- I think that's a great idea." That's similar to a California plan, and Crist said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's leadership on energy issues "has been extraordinary." "Florida ought to be part of that example," Crist said, noting he plans to call an environmental climate summit once the legislative session is over. "I think we have a duty to be good stewards of the land, air, water," he said. Mark Piland, an efficiency expert with the city of Tallahassee who inspected the house, said many energy aspects of the mansion are already in good shape, such as digital thermostats and insulation. The average monthly energy bill is between $3,000 and $6,000, according to Crist's staff. Crist is considering having solar panels installed somewhere on the property. Piland said one for heating the pool might make sense. About 50 percent of a typical Florida energy bill goes to heating and cooling costs, Piland said. He also showed Crist a compact fluorescent lightbulb, which uses a quarter of the energy of a regular one. "They don't heat up the room like a regular bulb does, and last 10 times longer," Piland said, and that can save up to $30 in electricity costs per light bulb, over its life. Crist was asked what the state can do to help an average family become energy efficient. "I'm interested in tax incentives. I'm not a scientist, but I'm smart enough to listen to them," Crist said. "That's why I'm more excited about solar and wind. I think we need to be diversified as it relates to energy use." Crist wouldn't rule out nuclear power, though he acknowledged concerns about the waste it generates. Asked if he envisions Florida offering solar tax breaks at all comparable to the 10-year, $2.9 billion plan California has, Crist didn't offer specifics. "I think that kind of idea makes sense," he said. David Byrne, director of energy services for the city of Tallahassee, said that although it's cheaper to install solar systems during new construction, once they're installed they operate the same for an old home or a new one. Reporter Kevin Begos can be reached at (850) 222-8382 or kbegos@tampatrib.com. ----- Copyright (c) 2007, Tampa Tribune, Fla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News |