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Recently I received a check in the mail from the US Treasury. This was not a tax refund, nor money that they owed. They just sent it to me. On the bottom of the check it says, "2008 ECONOMIC STIMULUS PROGRAM."

The stimulus check, which went to millions of Americans, was obviously not sent out to fatten our grandchildren's college fund. The idea is give people free money to spend, now. Spend on what? Well, the answer is: spend it on anything. It doesn't really matter; it's "good for the economy."

With the recent economic crisis, consumer spending is down, which makes the situation worse. The problem here is that strong and growing consumer spending, while good for the "economy," is not making many Americans much happier. Meanwhile, mounting evidence shows that our mass consumption society is rapidly destroying the natural resources and living ecosystems of the Earth. In particular, we can't continue to consume at high and growing levels here in America, and the rest of the world can't catch up with our habits—as US population grows to 450 million by 2050, and world population grows to 9 billion—without burning vast amounts of energy, and at the same time using up mineral and biological resources at an ever-increasing rate.

Here's some good news for biking...cyclists will get more equal treatment from the IRS.

While the emergency relief/bail-out bill may not be popular, there is a provision included that is favorable to cyclists. The legislation will include a proposal by Senator Wyden and Congressman Blumenauer, both of Oregon, to provide some modest tax relief for those who use their bike to commute to work. While motorists may get employer provided fringe benefit for car parking or mileage reimbursement, there is no analogous benefit for cyclists recognized by the IRS. The legislation will allow employer-provided transportation fringe benefit to be considered tax-free income for bicycle commuters. The provision will encourage more cycling for transportation, treat cyclists fairly, address transportation priorities by reducing fuel demand, traffic pollution and congestion, while promoting good health.

Studies show that as cities and employers increase their support for cyclists, cycling increases, with all the energy, health, traffic congestion reductions and environmental benefits that go with it.

Also, as the number of cyclists increase, motorists become more alert to the presence of cyclists in the road and safety increases (as cycling in London increased 100%, 2000-2005, the cyclist accident rate fell 40%; Transport for London, quoted in the Wall Street Journal, 5/19/06).

This law is fundamentally sound tax policy because it puts employer subsidies for bicycle commuting on essentially the same tax footing as existing subsidies for employees who drive or use public transit. Further, employer-provided incentives for cycling may also reduce employer health insurance costs, by offering support for healthy activities.

Dennis Flores sees Lorain’s future blowing in the wind. The city councilman is introducing a resolution next week that plants a flag in the renewable energy economy for this Rust Belt city aspiring to become a Green City on a Blue Lake.

Aside from launching a Green Team in city council and calling for real CO2 reduction targets, Flores talks at a rapid clip about how Lorain’s manufacturing legacy and some of the state’s strongest winds could be a huge boon to the city’s coffers.

He’s not just whistling Dixie. St. George’s Renewable Energy, LLC submitted a right of first refusal for 13 submerged land leases within a 2 mile by 3 mile area located offshore to the Port of Lorain in July, completely catching the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (the holder of those leases) off guard, Flores says. ODNR is holding a series of public meetings—St. George’s action gave the agency 120 days to respond with an official application process (read more on Flores' blog).

The company is in discussions with Vestas and venture capitalists like Old Dominion Gas, Flores says, about developing a world class distributed generation facility using wind as the primary source of fuel in the production of electrical energy.

While Lorain Mayor Tony Krasienko appointed Mike Challender as his sustainability representative, Flores thinks his plans are too closed door and not aggressive enough.

A report from the Great Lakes Energy Task Force, which is studying the feasibility of a wind farm on Lake Erie, sees no initial roadblocks to building multiple wind turbines a few miles off the shore from Cleveland. While the cost is double that of building on land, strong winds would make the turbines more efficient. Read more.

Chicago released a comprehensive climate action plan with the goal of sharply reducing the city’s carbon dioxide emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.

“People think in terms of polar ice caps and rising ocean levels, but this takes a look at what would happen to a Midwestern city like Chicago if nothing is done,” said Ron Burke, with the Union of Concerned Scientists, which helped construct the plan.

This was the first time a major American city has produced models that show the local effects of climate change. The plan includes implementing renewable energy technologies, energy efficient buildings, improved transportation and reducing industrial pollution. The city is also asking residents and businesses to reduce their own emissions by making 13 changes listed on chicagoclimateaction.org, which include adjusting thermostats and replacing light bulbs.

“We can't solve the world's climate change problem in Chicago, but we can do our part," said Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. "We have a shared responsibility to protect our planet."

Now, consider the climate change impacts to Northeast Ohio and our effort to measure the region’s carbon footprint. Consider the ideas we set forth for transitioning away from a fossil fuel dependent society.

Background Information

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Near Zero Energy Home

OP-ED and News Pieces
Friedman, Thomas, "Green the Bailout," New York Times Editorial,  Sept. 27. 2008.  Link.

Roosevelt, Margot, "To slow global warming, install white roofs," Los Angeles Times, September 10, 2008. Link.