Nov 24 2008
Register Touts Cities’ Greenwashing Efforts
The Des Moines Register gives a big smooch to 34 Iowa cities that have “pledged to create strong local policies and programs to reduce global warming.” While the Register allows that these cities’ images benefit more from the efforts than the environment, it does not take ownership of that one criticism, instead it relies on the ubiquitous weasel words ’some experts.’ But the result of the efforts?
“The efforts are paying dividends at the bank and in the air.”
It’s a win-win! Who knew saving the planet from its own climate changes could be so cost effective? Let’s take a look at some of the wonderful planet and cost savings we are getting:
[Des Moines] has changed lights in City Hall, the armory and the police station, saving $27,000, 500,000 kilowatt hours of power and 1 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. The capital city also installed energy efficient LED bulbs in traffic signals at 300 intersections, saving $120,000 in electricity costs and 4.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, according to city documents.
Are these savings made on day one? Annually? Over the life of the lighting? There is no mention of any actual upfront costs associated with the transition to the vastly more expensive LEDs. I think that investing money in the longer lasting and more efficient lighting is admirable but there needs to be an honest assessment of the costs involved. A report by the DOE shows that LED traffic lights have a simple payback period of additional costs of 2.4 years.
The Register admits, “Some Iowa cities’ efforts cost millions of dollars but earn paybacks in lower energy costs and usage.” But it also claims that going green is a political necessity because, “Taxpayers and businesses are demanding their local governments save energy and cut emissions.”
The other cities mentioned in the article have made some image-boosting changes as well:
- Ames owns an electric car. However, this electric car gets its energy from a coal-fired plant. But, not to worry, Ames replaced some of the coal at its city-owned power plant with pellets made of trash, saving “money”, and is looking to cut greenhouse emissions by 20 percent before 2021.
- Davenport agressively plants trees and “restored a 4 1/2-acre prairie, which helps sweep carbon from the sky.”
- Iowa City is moving to establish an east-side recycling center and educational facility. [No mention of cost]
