Sanford pursues energy stimulus [not carbon credits]

The Post & Courier, Charleston, SC ^ | 2009-03-24 | David Slade & Yvonne Wenger

[rabscuttle385]

Gov. Mark Sanford on Monday assured the U.S. Department of Energy that South Carolina will consider improving efficiency-related building codes and utility policies, in a letter that opened the door to $50.5 million in energy-related stimulus funds for the state.

In order to receive a share of State Energy Program stimulus money, governors were required to provide written assurances by Monday that they would consider such policies.

In South Carolina, a House bill already has been introduced to bring the state's energy-related building codes, which date to the 1990s, up to the modern standards used in North Carolina and Georgia. Environmental groups, some building companies and industries that stand to benefit, such as insulation manufacturers support the legislation.

Ben Moore, a project manager for the Coastal Conservation League, said updating the codes would save the people who buy new homes hundreds of dollars every year. The Home Builders Association of South Carolina, which has not taken a position on the legislation, said the regulations would raise the cost of building a standard home by $675 to to a total of $875.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Harry Cato, R-Greenville, would make the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code the law in South Carolina. House co-sponsors include Charleston-area Democrats Robert Brown, Anne Hutto, Leon Stavrinakis and Seth Whipper, and Charleston-area Republicans Chip Limehouse and Jim Merrill.

[rabscuttle385]

ping

[SoConPubbie]

House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, is no fan of the $787 billion federal stimulus package, but he said the state ought to take all the money that is available because South Carolina taxpayers will be paying for it either way.

This is like saying:

I'm morally against drugs, but their giving out these drugs for free, so I might as well get my fair share!

What happened to leadership, moral strength of character and honor in this country!

[SoConPubbie]

One other thought, what ever happened to the idea of limited-government or local control. By implementing these building codes at the state-levels, good as they may be, they force the price of building homes way up and decrease the amount of people that can afford the homes.

How about letting each county or city maintain their own set of building codes appropriates for their constituents?

So much for Sanford being a small or limited government conservative.

[rabscuttle385]

So much for Sanford being a small or limited government conservative.

How small do you go? Your arguments could be modified to suggest that even government regulations at the local or community level might not be "small" enough, and that only regulations at the family or even individual level (which is, ultimately, the "smallest" form of government within range) might be appropriate.

[SoConPubbie]

How small do you go? Your arguments could be modified to suggest that even government regulations at the local or community level might not be "small" enough, and that only regulations at the family or even individual level (which is, ultimately, the "smallest" form of government within range) might be appropriate.

Specious argument rabscuttle.

Most building codes are handled by the County and City.

Putting them at the State level is inappropriate since they become the rule of law for counties and cities and amount to lack of representation(i.e. a group of people who really know nothing of your counties needs are now making decisions for your county)

[rabscuttle385]

Putting them at the State level is inappropriate since they become the rule of law for counties and cities and amount to lack of representation...

Interesting point.

But what about building and construction codes for State properties?

[SoConPubbie]

Interesting point. But what about building and construction codes for State properties?

Those would be appropriate.

Legislation affecting any group of constituents is best left generally to the governing body closest to that group constituents.

There are very few issues that rise to the level of importance that they actually should be decided at the federal level. The founders very wisely provided the example for all levels of goverment by leaving most matters with regards to the federal government to the states.

Same policies and general principals SHOULD be in effect at every level of government.

[upchuck]

Gov. Mark Sanford Ping!

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