Michigan’s Governor Granhlom Goes Green
Sunday, July 12, 2009 4:54The Detroit News ran and article today about all the green improvements made to the State owned governors 8700 sq. foot house. The residences annual electric bill is an amazing $10,900, natural gas usage is $5,381 and a $4,276 per year water bill.
With utility bills like this they had to do something. Michigan’s government is currently has an aggressive campaign to rebuild the states economy through the development sustainable energy research and production.
Lets take a look at the Eco-friendly, energy saving devices being installed in the governors mansion.
- A Wind Turbine – cost $9,000 – electrical savings $1,200/yr
- Solar Panels – cost $20,000 – electrical savings $300/yr
- water saving Sprinkler System – cost $50,000 – water savings $1,450/yr
- LED light Bulbs, Programmable Thermostats and a 50 sq foot green roof for the garage.
If you do the math these energy saving improvements will take decades to recoup the costs. If you don’t want to the math I will for you.
- Annual utility costs – $20,557
- Eco-Friendly upgrades – $79,000
- Annual savings – $2,950 or 14%
It will take 26.7 years for these so called green upgrades to pay for themselves. One has to wonder what kind parts and service warranty comes with these. I do not have one mechanical or electrical appliance that is used on a daily bases in my household that has lasted even close to 26 years. Call me skeptical but in my eyes this a green snow job.
To be fair to the Governor the Eco-upgrades were donated to the State. Although we will be paying for them in the form of tax write offs for the donating companies. They also benefit form the publicity.
A 14% energy reduction is nothing to sneeze at. But, If the government and these companies really want the working man to follow their green dreams they will need to produce much more cost effective solutions than this and quit trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
Your can read the entire article here.
