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CALIFORNIA - Central Valley housing boom plays role in the big heat
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | July 26, 2006 | Patrick Hoge

Posted on 07/26/2006 2:26:04 PM PDT by calcowgirl

California's growth patterns -- the migration to hot inland regions, construction of big new homes and paving of open space -- are contributing both to increasing temperatures and record demand for electricity.

Experts say development choices can play a large role in making hot weather even hotter.

"People usually talk of greenhouse gases. What's forgotten is what we've actually done to the surface of the planet,'' said Bill Patzert, a climatologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

"I call it extreme makeover warming.''

The housing boom in places like the Central Valley causes growing electricity demand during heat waves, said Arthur H. Rosenfeld, a member of the California Energy Commission.

"The air-conditioning load is going up like mad because of new communities in hot places,'' Rosenfeld said. "If it wasn't for that, our energy efficiency programs are so good that we would be bringing down energy use per capita.''

(snip)

Local, state and federal officials are trying to lower energy consumption by combatting the "heat island" effect.

Heat islands are caused when natural vegetation is replaced by roofs, concrete, asphalt and other urban fixtures that more easily absorb and emit solar heat, particularly at night.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, urban and suburban heat islands can produce temperatures 2 to 10 degrees hotter than nearby rural areas. The heat islands can also aggravate smog, which worsens in hot weather.

After studying a handful of cities, including Sacramento, the federal EPA is promoting efforts to cool cities through planting trees, lightening the color of road surfaces, installing rooftop gardens and other strategies.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: calenergy; construction; development; environment; epa; greenhousegases; heatislands; heatwave
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To: ModelBreaker

The best way to conserve one source of energy is to substitute another that is cheaper and/or more efficient. All the "greenie" proposals are neither.


21 posted on 07/26/2006 5:03:24 PM PDT by LexBaird ("Politically Correct" is the politically correct term for "F*cking Retarded". - Psycho Bunny)
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To: Leo Carpathian

Having just completed a 3,000 mile motorcycle trip, much of it in over 100 degree weather, I can vouch for the fact that BLACK asphalt is much hotter than GREY asphalt. Let's stop w/ the BLACK already.


22 posted on 07/26/2006 5:26:06 PM PDT by Jack Black
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To: calcowgirl

Oh Please!


23 posted on 07/26/2006 5:28:22 PM PDT by ladyinred (The NYTimes, hang 'em high!)
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To: aft_lizard
Actually, Phoenix was tough until today.

I show 111deg on my porch yesterday...105 today.

24 posted on 07/26/2006 6:20:25 PM PDT by Mariner
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To: Mariner

It was only like 109 in my neighborhood yesterday, but the 5 days previously were just horrible with the monsoonal humidity and 114+ temps. Bleh, Alaska is looking better and better to me.


25 posted on 07/26/2006 6:26:52 PM PDT by aft_lizard (born conservative...I chose to be a republican)
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To: Enterprise

I think we should stop the growth.

>:-<


26 posted on 07/26/2006 6:29:16 PM PDT by bannie (HILLARY: Not all perversions are sexual.)
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To: aft_lizard
I just moved here from Seattle.

Believe me, I'll take 9 months/yr of paradise over 2 months/yr any day:)

In Seattle it's miserable for a full 6 months...marginal for another 4. White folks are GHOSTLY white...I got my fill of it.

27 posted on 07/26/2006 6:29:52 PM PDT by Mariner
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To: aft_lizard

Oh yeah, the the thermomolator in my Tahoe said it was 120 on Saturday...the "official" Phoenix high was 118.


28 posted on 07/26/2006 6:31:39 PM PDT by Mariner
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To: aft_lizard

Yes, the urban heat island effect is quite real and very different from global warming theory. But what the media and professor conveniently don't mention is that their preferred dense development makes the heat island effect far worse than low density suburbs with more grass and trees and much wider building spacing.


29 posted on 07/26/2006 6:36:11 PM PDT by Diddle E. Squat
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To: calcowgirl
Even Eureka Ca was not spared from the heat wave. We set a record high of...

68 degrees on Sunday.

30 posted on 07/26/2006 6:41:12 PM PDT by tubebender (Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.)
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To: Mariner
.the "official" Phoenix high was 118.

But it's a dry heat.:)

31 posted on 07/26/2006 6:44:49 PM PDT by Vinnie
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To: bannie

Not yet bannie. My wife's family has some land they have to sell first. THEN we'll limit growth.


32 posted on 07/26/2006 6:45:14 PM PDT by Enterprise (Let's not enforce laws that are already on the books, let's just write new laws we won't enforce.)
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To: Mr. Jeeves

You said that very well!


33 posted on 07/26/2006 6:46:44 PM PDT by diamond6 (Everyone who is for abortion have been born. Ronald Reagan)
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To: aft_lizard

It's always hotter in the city and cooler in the rural areas, makes sense to me.


34 posted on 07/26/2006 6:47:07 PM PDT by stevio (Red-Blooded Crunchy Con American Male (NRA))
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To: Enterprise
My wife's family...

HAHAHA! Sell it to someone who already lives here! ;-)

35 posted on 07/26/2006 8:52:37 PM PDT by bannie (HILLARY: Not all perversions are sexual.)
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To: bannie

They tried, but the buyer backed out.


36 posted on 07/26/2006 8:56:44 PM PDT by Enterprise (Let's not enforce laws that are already on the books, let's just write new laws we won't enforce.)
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To: Enterprise

(mumbles something about "damned locals"...)

:-)


37 posted on 07/26/2006 8:58:11 PM PDT by bannie (HILLARY: Not all perversions are sexual.)
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To: tubebender
Even Eureka Ca was not spared from the heat wave. We set a record high of...
68 degrees on Sunday.

LOL! How ever did you handle it? ;-)
It sounds delightful!

38 posted on 07/26/2006 10:55:19 PM PDT by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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