It's expensive. I rarely use it. It's bad for the environment. It's $4,000 that could pay off my credit cards that's sitting in my parking lot. But here's the thing ... it's my car.
OK, so it's not Kitt from Knight Rider. It's a '99 Saturn. But it's carried me to Boston and back at least a dozen times. The driver's seat fits me more comfortably than Linus fit his blanket.
Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment has just launched the Green Living Challenge in partnership with Arlington County, and as ACE Board Chair and an environmental blogger, it's time to put up or shut up. One of the key criteria is joining a car-sharing program like FlexCar or ZipCar, and there's never been a better time for me to stop putting it off and sell my car.
And that's really what Fresh AIRE and the Green Living Challenge are all about: Stepping out of your personal comfort zone for the good of yourself and your neighborhood. Giving up the convenience of a paper coffee cup can save dozens of pounds of trash a year. Installing a rain barrel can ease the burden on our runoff-damaged streams.
Like you've always heard -- think globally, act locally. Because if we don't act, who will?
Miles Grant
Chair, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment
This is quite an interesting posting I must say. I think we should go as much green as possible in different aspects of our life to protect our environment.
Posted by: Manhattan Air Specialists | July 02, 2010 at 05:47 PM
Yes, it's finally time to ditch the car (this weekend, in fact)! I have the great fortune of living two blocks from my office (Courthouse Plaza) and two blocks from the metro. I recently asked myself the following question,"Why do I need a car?" I could not identify one single, compelling reason. Economically, there is no justification for car ownership in my case. Additionally, the time spent monitoring the car's maintenance needs is a drain. Precious hours spent waiting for the oil to be changed, waiting for AAA to appear to jump the battery, waiting in line at the car wash, searching for parking, etc. I'd rather devote those hours to other activities that bring me joy. And now that the warm, spring weather has arrived, I can take that bike out again for a ride on the trails or to run errands around town.
Posted by: Laura Lucs | March 02, 2007 at 01:35 PM
I've been seriously considering getting rid of my car too. Way to go! My husband and I purchased electric bicycles last fall and have been riding them to work nearly every weekday since. The e-bike is much better for the environment than driving a car. A full charge of the battery uses only a few cents of electricity. I've lost weight, improved my fitness, and have turned a hilly commute into something manageable. The quick starts at intersections are proving to be very useful. Best of all, it's fun! On the few snowy or icy days that I can't take the e-bike, I take the bus. Since my nearest Metro station is three miles away, public transit doesn't always meet my needs, but the e-bike is a perfect complement to the transit options available to me.
Posted by: aadler | February 17, 2007 at 12:01 AM
For the reader who wonders if they can sell excess electricity back to the utility, the short answer is: YES! There is a process called "net metering," whereby electricity you generate from solar panels that is more than you use can flow back out onto the grid, and your electric meter actually goes backward. Then, at night when the solar electric system is not producing, you get juice from the grid. At the end of the month, if you provided more electricity than you consumed, you would have a negative balance carried forward to the next month. Unfortunately, at year-end there is no cash reward. This is not an ideal situation but it is a way to use solar PV to reduce your power demand from the utility, especially during the peak summer days when electric demand is the highest.
Here's a link to the details at the Dominion Virginia Power website: http://www.dom.com/customer/pdf/va/vatc25ra.pdf
A few folks in northern Virginia have experience with net metering, and because the process is new, there is a learning curve for the utility, consumers, and even government officials involved in permiting and approving these installations. It is particularly important that well-qualified electricians and solar installers be involved, since special inverters and meters are used for the interconnection between the power company's lines and your home power use. Here is a quick FAQ guide to net metering:
http://www.homepower.com/resources/net_metering_faq.cfm
Posted by: John Morrill | February 02, 2007 at 05:41 PM
Greetings, I would like to congratulate Arlington County for this blog, it is very welcome!
I have a general question. I am lining up the purchase of a single-family home, moving out of my condo. I would like to install solar panels on the roof, but I have not been able to find out whether I can sell my unused energy back to the power company? If I cannot, can Arlington County pave the way with the energy companies to allow folks like me to sell back kilowatts?
Posted by: mrav8r | February 02, 2007 at 02:13 PM