The government is continuing to encroach on freedoms more and more in the name of climate change. Case in point: An ordinance that went into effect June 1 stating if you sell your home in Austin, Texas and you fail to get a clean energy "green" audit, you will likely face criminal charges.
According to an ordinance passed by the Austin City Council in November 2008, any home 10 years or older will require an "Energy Conservation Audit. Failure to comply - criminal charges as explained by the local community-owned electric utility:
What if I sell the house without having an audit?
Non-compliance with the ECAD ordinance is a Class C misdemeanor. Reported violations will be forwarded to the City of Austin Legal Department for review and action.
According to a June 1 segment on the Austin NBC affiliate KXAN, a clean energy audit will cost homeowners about $300 "to inspect windows, insulation, duct work and air filtration."
But the KXAN piece didn't condemn the added bureaucracy imposed on home sellers, but instead bragged the ordinance created jobs.
"Now that homeowners must get a green energy audit, the demand for auditors is red hot," KXAN's Mary Lee said. "It's created more than 100 jobs in the Austin area."
One auditor benefitting from the government ordinance called it Austin's version of the stimulus package.
"It's a very good thing," David Malone, auditor from 1st Choice Energy, said. "Well to be honest with you, this was a, I think that this ordinance coming at this time is really Austin's version of the stimulus package."
Local governments are more and more taking a more proactive role in fighting so-called anthropogenic climate change. Earlier this year it was reported that the City of Madison, Wis. had been eyeing Draconian climate change ordinances that would regulate development, tree removal, fast food restaurants and parking.
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hmmmm
June 4, 2009 - 08:25 ET by dmntd1interesting, but partially for the fact that our local power company performs these audits for free. Just call and schedule.... I guess, in a spoiled fashion, I thought that was the norm!
WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare,
Energy Audit
June 4, 2009 - 08:34 ET by allanfLiberism is not about indivisualism. It is about statism and control. "Do as I tell you". Texas is an unusual state.
In most states criminal law offenses are specified by the State legislature not local ordinance. The reason is something called the "equal protection clause" of the Constitution. Criminal Laws must apply equally throughout the State unless there is a rational basis for a difference.
Illinois has ordinances,
June 4, 2009 - 09:27 ET by dmntd1Illinois has ordinances, that can be criminal in nature, and are enacted purely at the local level.Chicago is (not where I live) a very good example, especially with their gun-laws. The equal protection clause of the US Constitution really only applies to the State-to-State equality (The feds can't outlaw something in one state, while allowing it in another.)
I do agree that Liberalism is not about individualism.
WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare,
Texas is an unusual
June 4, 2009 - 09:51 ET by Dan The Man 2Texas is an unusual state
The Texas legislature is limited to meeting every two years so it is pretty weak. A holdover from the short time Texas was a country and the idea was to limit the dimwits in congress. The municipalities have a lot of control over local functions as it should. Are we not all fior more local control, power to teh people?
That said Austin is a little peice of leftist heaven, similar to California in mindset. Plenty of fruits and nuts, I mean the city has the unofficial motto of "Keep Austin Wierd". Now come on with a motto like that what do ya expect. It is a big college town and the state Capital so we try to concentrate the wierdos there. I imagine one day we will fence it off ala Escape From NY. LOL
True, Dan
June 4, 2009 - 10:45 ET by boomerconAs you know, "Texas is a State of Mind", so we are a bit different, Austin notwithstanding...it is just outright weird, and that local motto is proudly proclaimed all over that goofy (fun) city.
Question is: why not just make it a part of the closing statement, like the required termite inspection, title search, etc.? Only in Austin would they make it a crime (probably because it has to do with a private business transaction, and they want their cut).
why not just make it a part
June 4, 2009 - 11:33 ET by Dan The Man 2why not just make it a part of the closing statement, like the required termite inspection, title search, etc.?
Because they can, that and Austin is full of true believers. So they want it to be criminal to not get one of these audits. If they make it mandatory then everyone will be used to doing it. Like seatbelt laws, I grew up without them and even started driving without them; yet I have gotten so used to them I cant think of not bucling up.
Some TX history
June 4, 2009 - 21:21 ET by UnsaneA holdover from the short time Texas was a country and the idea was to limit the dimwits in congress. Not quite. The 1876 Texas Constitution is a direct reaction to the rule of one Governor Edmund J. Davis, in the late 1860s to 1873. He was considered a dictatorial governor and the 1876 Constitution was written to prevent another Governor Davis from entering power. Hence the whole of state government is weak when compared with other states.
Although I like your idea of fencing off Austin - or maybe the whole of Travis County - a la Escape From New York. Then maybe we can use the fenced-off county (or walled off a la West Berlin, but then, the Austin city government will probably do that instead!) to show Texans just how screwed up the state can get if we go down the wrong path! :-)
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Unsane
June 4, 2009 - 21:47 ET by RESTLESS 1Of course you remember the great New Mexico escape of 2003. That was a bit fun. I especially like the little bills that the republicans would pass just to screw with them, like taking their cushy parking spaces and designating theirs the furthest from the Capitol. I remember democrats even complaining the it was not very "Texas like" to run from a fight.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
We're going to have to
June 4, 2009 - 08:27 ET by mattmWe're going to have to revolt.
The Energy Police
June 4, 2009 - 08:32 ET by Red JeepThe energy police. Another way for the government to extort money.
I'm wondering ...
June 4, 2009 - 08:45 ET by SentryDanI'm wondering could it be possible that something else is going on here? Like, were the building supply businesses behind this ordinance? Just think, of who would benefit from this ordinance, the building supply industry(supplies to fix the problems found during the inspection), the city government(permits would have to be issued to make the repairs to get back in compliance and maybe even fines for being out of compliance), and the new inspection business. Sorry, can't help being cynical about something like this.
Remember folks, Freedom isn't Free. It was bought with the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who are serving and who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know.
Also remember folks, that the way to SUPPORT THE TROOPS is to support their mission. Anyone who says that they support the troops but don't support their mission is lying about supporting the troops. And if you want to know, yes I do have a dog in the fight, he is a United States Marine.
Ridiculous
June 4, 2009 - 09:20 ET by HoosierEmI live in the Austin area but fortunately outside of the city limits. This is the same city that tried to prohibit the construction of so-called McMansions in certain areas of the city but I'm not sure how that turned out. I cannot tell you how glad I am that we bought a house outside of the Austin City Limits.
Austin is considered a liberal island surrounded by a red sea. We live in the red sea section.
We live in Round Rock...
June 4, 2009 - 09:42 ET by ontheright...and like you, we specifically picked our homestead outside Austin city limits, for this (and many, many other) very reason.
Austin is a nice place to visit...but the liberals stifle and kill everything they touch; but they don't even realize it.
I'm a fellow Round
June 4, 2009 - 13:33 ET by HoosierEmI'm a fellow Round Rocker! I agree - liberals and their policies are stifling and this energy audit crapola is a prime example.
I don't even watch the local news here.
We live in the red
June 4, 2009 - 10:18 ET by dmntd1Isn't it odd that the 'messiah' of the U.S. is attempting to part that red sea?!?
WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare,
He's Trying
June 4, 2009 - 13:35 ET by HoosierEmHe's just trying to get rid of the red sea. Fortunately, it sounds like those efforts are having the opposite effect.
Faux Environmentalism
June 4, 2009 - 09:47 ET by AMR1960These Enviroscare artists are looking to sequester more than just your Carbon.
_________________________
Long Live...THE REPUBLIC !
Yeah, let's create jobs by throwing innocent Americans...
June 4, 2009 - 10:46 ET by R D Helm...in jail.
I can't believe Texans would tolerate this nonsense.for even one second.
If they tried something like that here in Georgia, there would be shots fired in very short order.
This is government intrusion at its worst and should not be tolerated
-Dave
The People's Republic of Austin
June 4, 2009 - 21:14 ET by UnsaneI can't believe Texans would tolerate this nonsense.for even one second. Oh, believe me, Texans anywhere else in this state wouldn't tolerate this nonsense. But this is Austin.
If you ever hear of whacked out Leftist ideas coming out of this state, Dave, immediately ask yourself what part of Austin/Travis County it comes out of. I live 30 miles away (unfortunately).
Back in 2006, I heard the following blurb out of some national media outlet: "A TX professor says we should genetically engineer a virus that wipes out 90% of humanity to save the planet." Gee, guess from which TX city said professor hailed?
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Dave~
June 4, 2009 - 21:27 ET by Georgia GirlYep. Here in Georgia, we'll generously pass out the peaches with 100% friendliness -- but don't even think about messing with our rights. We will not be pushed around easily...ya'll. ;)
And likewise, I wouldn't mess with Texas.
Lucky you
June 4, 2009 - 11:10 ET by eugeneromeroYou are lucky that you live outside of Austin city limits. We bought a house in NW Austin that had its own Utility District. We just got annexed into Austin and now pay higher water and trash bills and are included in this ridiculous energy audit. This is not going to create jobs. It's just going to give more money to current inspectors. They just have to be licensed. There's not going to be more inspectors, just inspectors doing more work. Idiots.
You will conform to our green initiative
June 4, 2009 - 11:21 ET by SeftonI originally posted a link to this story on the "ABC...Global Warming Propaganda" story yesterday, because it couldn't be ignored.
This is government intrusion bigtime; in the name of a hoax religion at that. I wonder if any lawyer has the backbone to sue the city over this should a client of his be arrested for non-compliance.
Like other Texans in this thread, I live just outside of Austin (Lake Travis area), and it's true about the disproportional liberal mindset of Austin compared to the surrounding area.
It would have been worse.
June 4, 2009 - 11:27 ET by Dave in TexasAs I understand it, the original proposal called not only for an energy audit, but you would have been required to upgrade your home to a minimum level before you could sell it (I could be wrong on that). That last part didn't make it into the law.
Can you imagine what would have resulted? You would have entire industries pop up whose sole purpose would be to come into your home and install a bunch of temporary, cheap styrofoam and plastic stuff around your windows and doors just to get you to pass the energy audit. Then the new homeowner would just rip it all out and throw it in the trash after they purchased the home.
They're not coming into my ******* house....
June 4, 2009 - 11:53 ET by Tailgunner...without a ******* warrant.
And what are the standards and penalties for noncompliance?
Liberal environmental wackos have crossed a line.
This is the first time that I know of that average citizens face criminal charges.
Reeducation camp staff and guards also qualify as 'jobs' too.
Unfortunately, 'patriot' is still only classified in the 'volunteer' category.
NOLO PUGNARE ME OCCIDERE
What Obama giveth with one hand he taketh away with both hands.
Tg... Amen...I'm with you
June 4, 2009 - 12:09 ET by bigtimerTg...
Amen...I'm with you and your sentiments all the way...it is down right spooky what is being forced on us...and more to come.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Ah s#*t.
June 4, 2009 - 12:18 ET by RESTLESS 1This just means some dimwit here 80 or so miles south will want to do the same thing. Not sure it will go over very well if they do.
"This liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Are you sure?
June 4, 2009 - 21:09 ET by UnsaneI don't know, now that Julian Castro is the mayor of San Antonio...
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
The crop of mayoral candidates
June 4, 2009 - 21:55 ET by RESTLESS 1was plain pitiful this year. Say what you want about Hardberger, but he got some big things done, and didn't f#$k anything up. You can't ask for much more. Any mayor would have been hard pressed to follow Hardberger, but Julian is certainly not up to the challenge.
Unfortunately, none of the people I would have like to see run did.
Hardberger in many ways made me regret term limits. Castro may make me celebrate them again, (or regret them even more, depending how you look at it).
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
more jobs for ACORN faithfull.
June 4, 2009 - 12:38 ET by sevenI am sure for cash you can buy reoports and they don't even have to see the house. Austin is called silicon valley east or something like that. It has more tree huggers and green freeks than the rest of the state. When I was young and had started a business, I was intimidated by threats and warnings from an ordinance inspector. I called an old mature mentor and he told me it was really a simple matter of kickbacks and that is why my neighbors I cited were not in compliance with an ordinance they threatened to close me over.
This is how russia operated.
Cartoon Kerfuffle
June 4, 2009 - 19:14 ET by slickwillie2001Another cartoon kerfuffle; Sotomayor as a pinata, Senor Bamster handing out bats to Republicans, saying who's first...
Time for the Annual 'I'm Offended' Political Cartoon: http://townhall.com
No way! In AUSTIN????
June 4, 2009 - 21:08 ET by UnsaneWait, wait, wait...an NBC affiliate in AUSTIN did this???
NO!!!!!
AUSTIN?????????? As in Москва-На-Колорадо???????
(This makes me quite thankful that I have a selection of San Antonio affiliates with my cable provider...)
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)