Does John Edwards Get It?

What’s up with John (my father was a mill worker) Edwards? Is it possible that really rich people just lose their sense of perspective completely? Among other policies Edwards claims to support is President Jimmy Carter’s 1979 call to action to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. But the Edwards family just moved into a huge “facility” on 102 acres near Chapel Hill. From the small aerial photo in the Carolina Journal it appears that clear cutting was required to establish the home site for the enormous complex of buildings. “The Edwards home totals 28,200 square feet of connected space. The main house is 10,400 square feet and has two garages. The recreation building, a red, barn-like building containing 15,600 square feet, is connected to the house by a closed-in and roofed structure of varying widths and elevations that totals 2,200 square feet.” I suppose everything is relative and a matter of scale but, really, how much room does one family need? I suppose one could argue that it’s smaller than the 53,000 sq. ft.  monster being built in Montana. However, given the size of the Edwards home and accouterments Elizabeth Edwards bragging about their energy consciousness sounds ridiculous and, frankly, insensitive to anyone who is really trying to conserve.  Here’s an excerpt from Elizabeth Edwards blog of Jan 26,2007: “Since we were building a home in Orange County, we decided to take advantage of some of the technology that President Carter had encouraged.  All the water (all of which comes from wells) in our home and some of the flooring is heated with solar energy. We built a highly energy efficient house. In fact, our home is Energy-Star rated. Energy Star is an EPA regulated designation for homes that are at least 30 percent more efficient than the national Model Energy Code.  In building we made sure we had effective insulation in floors, walls, and attics. We chose efficient heating and cooling equipment and high-performance windows.  Our builder paid close attention to making sure the construction was tight to seal out drafts and moisture. The day the independent inspector came to evaluate the house, we were on pins and needles while he tested our home's energy performance.  As he packed his equipment, he gave us the good news: we are an Energy-Star home!  We recycle, of course, although just yesterday we got our Orange County recycle bin. Until then we used the recycle facility just down the road. (The trash compactor I debated putting in is really useful for compacting cans and plastic, it turns out.)”
There is something a bit contradictory about energy efficiency in a 28,000 sq. ft. home and it makes me wonder if the Edwards family really does get it. In her blog she goes on at length about replacing incandescent bulbs with flourescents. In her case, maybe just fewer bulbs would have been the answer.

Comments

[Jay]

Let's hope he doesn't start flying his hair stylist around also....