The Invasion of the Nanny State

If you needed more evidence that environmentalism is the new fascism, and that environmentalists' goal is more control of your life (thinly disguised as "concern for the environment"), then look no further than the proposed revisions to Title 24 in the state of California. Title 24 is the manual of standards that governs the construction industry with respect to matters of energy efficiency. It provides the standards needed for calculating the size of your windows, capacities of your air conditioner and heater, and how much insulation needs to be in your walls and attic. Ever wonder why your new toilet clogs so much, or why it takes 2 flushes to coax the load down? You can probably blame your state's construction standards and the water-conservationists who forced through those water-usage limits.

On January 30 the California Energy Commission will consider recommended revisions to their building standards that include the requirement for what is called a "programmable thermostat control", or PCT.

Every new home and every change to existing homes' central heating and air conditioning systems will required to be fitted with a PCT beginning next year following the issuance of the revision. Each PCT will be fitted with a "non-removable " FM receiver that will allow the power authorities to increase your air conditioning temperature setpoint or decrease your heater temperature setpoint to any value they chose. During "price events" those changes are limited to +/- four degrees F and you would be able to manually override the changes. During "emergency events" the new setpoints can be whatever the power authority desires and you would not be able to alter them. -Joseph Samsel

Temperature disagreements between husband and wife are bad enough - but who do you think will win the battle between the homeowner and the nanny state? Is there any question with regard to where we are headed with this proposal? With their foot in the door, it won't be long before there are state-controlled settings for your thermostat. You can bank on that.

This is scary stuff, kiddos. And don't believe it's not occurring nation-wide. I think the toilet water usage standard is federal. Incandescent light bulbs is another more recent example. Auto fuel efficiency standards are also in this category. Once we sign away our right to make our own decisions, we will not get that right back without a fight. What ever you do, don't let them take away your guns...


**UPDATE**

The NCTimes is reporting:

The California Energy Commission will remove a proposed mandatory control feature from thermostats required in new homes, Claudia Chandler, the commission’s assistant executive director, said Friday.

The control feature, specified in an upcoming revision to building codes, would have required so-called Programmable Communicating Thermostats to be installed with the air conditioning systems of new homes. These thermostats would have deferred in emergencies to a radio signal broadcast by utilities, removing control from customers.

After public protests, Chandler said, the commission decided to remove the mandatory provision from the proposal for the “Title 24″ energy efficiency standards. Staff will make the recommendation at the energy commission’s Jan. 30 meeting, and the new proposal would be taken up at a later meeting.

Sources: American Thinker; NC Times
Thanks to Patterico for the tip