Green Living Challenge: Leaving My Comfort Zone

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

Comments

[Laura Lucs]

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.

[aadler]

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.

[John Morrill]

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

[mrav8r]

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?

[Debbie]

You could save 4000 bucks by getting rid of your car?

How much would you get if you sold your car? You could also donate the proceeds to your local enviro charity!

I've never owned a car, driven one and barely got my license so I don't know what it would feel like to part with a car. But just for the extra 4k a year, I would it! To top it off it's good for the cause? Do it!

[Diana Sun]

Ditto! My husband and I moved to Clarendon about a year and a half ago and promptly sold 2 cars. We sold the cars shortly before gas hit $3/gallon, and are very pleased with our decision. I blogged about my "3-2-1" experience on the commuterpage.com blog: http://commuter.typepad.com/commuterpageblog/2006/10/three_two_one.html

[Eric]

Good for you Miles. I am duly impressed. That's a big step.

[Lacey]

This is a really admirable program. As a person fresh out of the midwest, where I had to drive everywhere due to a lack of public transportation, I commend anybody who can part with their vehicle. It's true, it would be financially beneficial to the individual, but also so beneficial to the environment. What a great program!!