McClintock Introduces Bill to Prevent Remote Control of Thermostats
Bradley J. Fikes reports in the N.C. Times:
Home control of thermostats would be guaranteed under a new bill introduced in the state Legislature.
The bill would forbid the California Building Standards Commission from mandating thermostats that are remote-controlled by anyone other than the building’s resident. Called Senate Bill 1491, the bill by State Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, is in draft form.
Good ol’ Tom McClintock — my hero. Not much of a surprise that he’d be behind something sensible like this.
The California Energy Commission attempted earlier this year to mandate so-called “programmable communicating thermostats” in new and substantially remodeled homes. Utilities seeking to cut power consumption as shortages developed could have used a remote control device in the thermostat to override customer control. The device would not have been removable by the customer.
After an intense public outcry, the commission rejected the proposal at its Jan. 30 meeting.
McClintock’s bill would forbid the California Building Standards Commission from mandating such remote control. The commission has ultimate authority among state agencies over building standards. The bill specifies that voluntary installation of the thermostats could be allowed in a building standard.
Here’s hoping the bill passes. But let’s do more than hope. Call your legislator.
Meanwhile, they’ve grabbed control of fireplaces, and turned them off. And banned them in the future. What elected representative would be crazy enough to do this? Why, the appointed folks at AQMD. Maybe Tom McClintock could amend his bill….
And don’t forget to drop a note to Mike Antonovich, a member of the AQMD board, and ask WTF?
Kevin Murphy (0b2493) — 3/8/2008 @ 9:31 pmMeanwhile, they’ve grabbed control of fireplaces, and turned them off. And banned them in the future.
That would be political suicide in a cold-weather state.
Paul (d4926e) — 3/8/2008 @ 10:03 pmAnd don’t forget to drop a note to Mike Antonovich, a member of the AQMD board, and ask WTF?
That would be this Mike Antonovich, not the longtime ice hockey player and coach Mike Antonovich.
Paul (d4926e) — 3/8/2008 @ 10:12 pmPaul #2…
Another Drew (8018ee) — 3/8/2008 @ 10:13 pmPaul #2…
It doesn’t seem to have bothered very many people in the mountains of CO, where Vail, Aspen, and a few other places have banned the use of firewood in fireplaces and stoves.
(Sorry about the previous post, clumsy fingers)
Another Drew (8018ee) — 3/8/2008 @ 10:15 pmAnother Drew, I’m talking about the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin where -20F and lower is within reach during the winter (if not the norm) where if the power happens to go out, it does considerable damage.
Paul (d4926e) — 3/8/2008 @ 10:35 pmI think the next approach that can be expected is that the state will pass a law saying that thermostats must be manufactured with a minimum and maximum setting of 68-72 degrees.
We’ve gone around on this subject in a past thread and I’m not going to rehash all that.
voiceofreason2 (8db16c) — 3/8/2008 @ 10:36 pmMy opinion is that the intent was good and the reaction was overkill. When the next wave of rolling blackouts hit the state, the demand to “do something” will drive some action, any action. Remote control is off the table so why not go after the design standards? The residents will still have a choice of setting to their desired temp as long as it is within the min/max requirements.
I’m not saying that is the right solution, just the more likely one chosen at some point. California is well-known for its many regulatory requirements.
I’m not saying that is the right solution, just the more likely one chosen at some point.
And choosing such a solution would be battling the effect, while neglecting the cause.
Paul (d4926e) — 3/8/2008 @ 11:47 pmAnd choosing such a solution would be battling the effect, while neglecting the cause.
That may be true but until a majority of the residents of California vote for more taxes to fund nuclear power or some other source to alleviate the energy crunch it is what you should expect. The cost is passed to the manufacturers and consumers while leaving the tax rate untouched.
voiceofreason2 (8db16c) — 3/9/2008 @ 6:08 amEven if some magical day came where the residents of California arrived and the construction of a nuclear power plant or two was approved it would be 10-15 years before the benefits would be realized. In the interim you would still have rolling blackouts and a demand to “do something”. Since residents find it unconscionable that their thermostat is remotely adjusted to avoid a blackout the state will find another means to prevent the blackouts. Count on it.
Even if some magical day came where the residents of California arrived and the construction of a nuclear power plant or two was approved it would be 10-15 years before the benefits would be realized. In the interim you would still have rolling blackouts and a demand to “do something”. Since residents find it unconscionable that their thermostat is remotely adjusted to avoid a blackout the state will find another means to prevent the blackouts. Count on it.
Yup, VOR, California has painted itself into a corner. It will get much worse before it gets better.
Paul (d4926e) — 3/9/2008 @ 8:16 amI can’t believe the posts I read from “alot” of people from California. You people let the government lead you by the nose! Get some “backbone” people. What “dolts”!
KansasGirl (0b4cfe) — 3/9/2008 @ 12:40 pmWhy should we allow anyone to control our themastats and dictate to us what kind of light bulbs we use becuase of some idiotic notions of this global waarming poppycock bull kaka. Time for big brother to butt out
krazy kagu (06a9a4) — 3/9/2008 @ 1:09 pmkrazy kagu,
voiceofreason2 (8db16c) — 3/9/2008 @ 2:35 pmThe thermostat issue was not driven in any way by global warming. It is all about the blackouts…
And the blackouts happened (and will happen again this summer) because California’s population has increased dramatically while no new power plants have been built almost since Ronald Reagan was Governor.
Paul (d4926e) — 3/9/2008 @ 2:45 pmIt’s a ridiculous intrusion into our homes and our personal lives to regulate the fireplaces in CA. We add a million immigrants a year here, and we’re worried about the impact of a few fireplaces?!
First cigarettes, then fats, then thermostats…Big Brother is almost here.
Patricia (f56a97) — 3/9/2008 @ 3:33 pmWe already have a bill protecting our thermostats from government intrusion. It’s called the Bill of Rights.
papertiger (0b0c9a) — 3/9/2008 @ 9:24 pmIs there a law against presenting fantasy as fact in public school, and how difficult would it be for a private cirizen, such as myself, to use this law to change school practices?
I can’t believe the posts I read from “alot” of people from California. You people let the government lead you by the nose! Get some “backbone” people. What “dolts”!
Comment by KansasGirl
There is a large group of Californians who hate our state government more than you can imagine, but long ago the liberals managed to gerrymander the districts so that liberal enclaves like San Francisco and Hollywood get 3-4 representatives each while most conservative areas are divided up into districts that are 1/3 conservative and 2/3 liberal as part of giving the liberal enclaves the extra votes. Until you find a way to implant brains into the liberal drones of SF and LaLaLand, the voices of reason in California will continue to be ignored. At least until they move out as most of my working friends are trying to do. (I’d happily leave if I had a job in the new location.)
Mvargus (8c2339) — 3/10/2008 @ 8:24 amFresno’s escalating corruption while covering up of ID theft, disappearances and suspected homicide as the city sewer/water/power infrastructures are being illegally altered is bad enough. But to add remote control to our thermostats as the accompanying “gassing through vents” scenario continues to take place seems like planning of a mass suicide / genocide. One of the people involved is the father of a local FBI agent – he repeatedly said that a disaster was coming, which would leave everyone dead. Even though it would be more costly, it may be time to go back to window air conditioning and space heaters. Click below:
Thermostat Control in CA
Marla (1f9c21) — 5/16/2008 @ 12:49 pm