From my letter to the editor from today’s York Weekly
Work-force housing an energy-efficient idea
To the Editor:
If we were somehow able to capture all of the heat generated from the debate over work-force housing in York, we’d probably have enough energy to keep us warm all winter.
Unfortunately, we don’t have that technology available to us, so I guess we’ll need to look at the facts as best we can, and try to make an informed decision on this very charged topic.
To that end, I’d like to look beyond the rancor coming from both sides of the debate, and make the simple point that we are currently living in an energy-crisis that probably won’t be solved anytime soon.
The reality of that crisis means we’d be wise to start making our community more energy efficient as a whole. Work-force housing is one way to do this. A local work force doesn’t have to commute, so gas is being saved. Energy-efficient construction means lower heating and electricity bills. Higher density means fewer trees need to be cut down to make room for giant houses on giant lots.
If voters approve the work-force housing measure in November, it means that each year there will be 15 more energy-efficient units built in York that are affordable to buy, affordable to heat, and affordable to keep the lights on.
It’s worth some thought.
Eric Hopkins
York Energy EfficiencyCommittee
