ASHRAE Journal - July 2011 - 10

letters
Net Zero Energy
My comment to Gordon Holness is related to his last sentence in his article (“On the Path to Net Zero-How Do We Get There From Here?”): The question is “are we ready to not only stipulate building energy performance but to actually control consumption?” This idea of “actually control consumption” is totally out of the question! Let the marketplace control the flow of energy to our buildings and building systems. I have been in this industry for 41 years and this is the most radical statement on this subject to date. I enjoyed your article until I got to that last paragraph. You bring to the table many questions and challenges that need suitable answers. However, the control of consumption is not in the American “play book.” Look what happened when the current gasoline prices rose: the supply and demand economical forces took over. What happened in the early 70s to the supply and demand of gasoline? Net zero is a worthy goal but at what price? Gerard L. Iacouzze, Life Member ASHRAE, Bowie, Md.
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AJcover.indd 2 5/23/2011 10:22:55 AM

Earthquakes and Nuclear Plants
I work as an HVAC engineer at one of the nation’s nuclear power plants. Thank you for just presenting the facts about the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear event in April’s “Earthquake: New Codes Provide Tools, But We Need to Ensure Compliance,” and not adding a slant about U.S. plants being in the same condition. Although I agree that the workers at the Japanese plant have been doing everything possible given the conditions, I believe that information will come out in the future that shows that the design of these plants or these emergency response procedures could have been better. U.S. regulations regarding the design and operation of nuclear power plants are very good and are being adapted by other countries across the world as the standard to achieve. However, there is always something else to learn, and we continue to learn from the events in Japan on a daily basis. Again, thanks for just presenting the facts and presenting them correctly. Rachel A. Luebbe, Associate Member ASHRAE, Davenport, Iowa
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AJcover.indd 2 3/22/2011 3:48:54 PM

The Author Responds
The final sentence in my article was meant to be provocative and clearly achieved that aim. It was not (necessarily) a recommendation. The thrust of the article is that it will take more than technology to achieve our energy efficiency and environmental goals. We have to develop a culture of sustainability, and it will take consumer awareness and behavioral changes to make any significant progress. While we have made considerable advances in building design and construction technology, actual energy use has not materially decreased. I wish the solution were as simple as “supply and demand economics” as Mr. Iacouzze suggests. But while that may seem to work for gasoline (produced largely from imported oil and out of our control), the dynamics and economics of building energy (primarily from coal and natural gas) are quite different. What is the real price of building energy? Right now, we only include the direct cost of production and distribution of that energy. But should we really add the cost of energy code application, adoption, and enforcement? Politically, we have been somewhat paranoid about increasing energy prices, but as the article points out “energy taxes and parallel incentive programs (could have a major impact) if we have the political and public will to implement these.” Gordon V. R. Holness, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, West Palm Beach, Fla.

The Authors Respond
At Seismic Source International, we have been involved in the nuclear industry and specialized in seismic design. Safety at U.S. nuclear power plants and their response to external events is required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and is continuously evaluated to higher standards. The Japan event will affect all nuclear facilities for years. In addition, we took an approach in the article to calm media hype and demonstrate the progress we have made in designing for earthquakes, while at the same time highlighting how each earthquake reveals new areas we must learn to improve. As NRC chairman Gregory Jaczko told a senate panel when describing the systematic and methodical look at all the plants, “What we need is a thoughtful response,” and he warned against a “knee-jerk reaction.” James A. Carlson, P.E., Springfield, Neb. Robert Simmons, P.E., Member ASHRAE, Houston of a knowledgeable and meaningful organization. Unfortunately, we are now seeing much more politically driven information. It is turning into ASHTRAY with global warming, carbon emissions and climate change—tomfoolery from the most optimistic angle. I think one could justifiably say that your publication causes harm and economic failure by promoting “net zero” and that ilk. Tom Berger, P.E., Member ASHRAE, Portland, Ore.
ashrae.org July 2011

Re: Net Zero Energy
I see we have a “net zero” article in June (“On the Path to Net Zero-How Do We Get There From Here?” by Gordon V Hol.R. ness). It goes hand-in-glove with some of the other articles and inclinations I am seeing from ASHRAE. I was once proud to be part
10 ASHRAE Journal

ASHRAE Journal - July 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal - July 2011