bad city by-law

[dissentowner]

Unreal...so I was going to install some solar panels on my roof as my next project, I figured I can save some money on hydro but more importantly do my part to help with power grid here in Ontario that they are cryin about. So today when I looked into getting the equipment to get the ball rolling I was told that it was against our city by-law to use any source of alternate power
besides St. Thomas Hydro. The guy told me that a few people already tried getting away with it and they were charged and had to take the panels down. I am outraged at this, this is simple greed on the city's part! They are sending us stuff in the mail asking everyone to cut back on their power usage this summer, especially air conditioners but they won't allow you to generate natural power??? I think it's time to talk to my member of parliament!

[flip]

wow. can you say monopoly?

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by flip

wow. can you say monopoly?

Monap-- Manop-- Monopal--

No sorry =(

[killer_carlson]

this is an easy one.

Simply call up a couple of tv stations or radio people and tell them your story. The environment is hot and they will be all over this.

easy peesy

[Barnes]

At least your power comes from hydro and not coal like it's 1889.

But, yes. Call the media.

[foofighter15]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

this is an easy one.

Simply call up a couple of tv stations or radio people and tell them your story. The environment is hot and they will be all over this.

easy peesy

good idea. do this

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

this is an easy one.

Simply call up a couple of tv stations or radio people and tell them your story. The environment is hot and they will be all over this.

easy peesy

Exactly. Let us know when you are going to be on TV.

[FlamesAddiction]

Yeah, that's complete bull. I'd definitely fight it. Maybe even go to the next city hall meeting and bring it up.

[Cube Inmate]

Originally Posted by Barnes

At least your power comes from hydro and not coal like it's 1889.

But, yes. Call the media.

Er, no. The vast majority of Ontario power generation is via nuclear power and fossil fuels (according to the ever-accurate Wikipedia...google "ontario power generation"). Quebec is the home of actual "hydro" power.

[NSFL]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Exactly. Let us know when you are going to be on TV.

I second this. I would love to see what happens with this.

[FlamesAddiction]

Honestly, I would not go to the media immediately.

I'd bring it up at a city hall meeting first. There is a good chance that enough city hall councillors and even the mayor might be on your side.

If that fails, then go to the media.

[killer_carlson]

I disagree. Go to the media right away on something so stupid as this. Don't let the spin doctors get their hands on it or catch wind of it.

Bad law is bad law. End of story.

[Daradon]

Yup, you gotta go tell your story. Federal government wants us (or says they want us) to go green. You could help not only in Ontario, but other provinces that also have provincially run power systems.

I'm pretty sure we don't have that here, and people said deregulation would be a bad thing... At least, as big as companies like Enmax are, they can't tell you what you can put on your house.

I think you have to work something out with them, but I'm pretty sure you can do things like that here.

In fact certain housing and condo companies are slowly climbing on board.

[FlamesAddiction]

It's just that from my experience, if you cause a stink without first going through the proper channels, you might be seen as a trouble maker and encounter more resistance.

It's like all those people who take the drastic approach of public protesting before first trying to make the system work for them.

[BlackArcher101]

I'm interested in knowing why this is a bylaw in the first place.

I'm in the city boat of approaching the city before going to the media. At least give them a chance or benefit of the doubt.

[You Need a Thneed]

If you wanted to, you could use solar power in a different way, something like solar water heating. That's probobly more efficient anyway. But a bylaw outright banning your own power generation is definately absurd.

I'd love to set up some solar panels and some wind generators up on my house.

I think there should be some kind of approval process, you shouldn't just be able to setup whatever you want. I think that's what most cties have these days.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Question:

If they are banning solar power generation, does that mean no one is allowed solar lights? The ones that go in your lawn? Because really, it is the same thing on a smaller scale.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I disagree. Go to the media right away on something so stupid as this. Don't let the spin doctors get their hands on it or catch wind of it.

Bad law is bad law. End of story.

Right. I bet you'd be saying the same thing if the OP was your neighbour and he was erecting a windmill.

Keep in mind, folks, that part of the City's duties are to keep it beautiful. I'm not saying that solar panels are ugly or that they shouldn't be used. I am saying that bylaws exist for a reason. Homeowners can't just go around modifying their houses and properties to their heart's content. Solar panels happen to fall under a particular (antiquated) bylaw. Lobby to change it if it's important to you.

edit* Had I read the whole thread I would have seen that NeedThneed already made the exact same point.
I can't believe that the logic of city bylaws escapes so many.

pfft. "bad laws". Are you serious? Us adults call it "outdated". It needs to be changed. You want to run to the media and cry like a toddler before discussing it? I'm sure you're very successful with this tactic, but in the real world, fist pounding and crying gets you nowhere.

[Hack&Lube]

Yes, bring it to the media ASAP

That's ridiculous...and the government says they are being progressive on the environment. I never knew our municipal laws were so draconian.

In Germany, some towns have solar panels on every rooftop. The extra energy people don't use, they sell back to the city or power company. It's actually an investment opportunity to make money in the long run. Swathes of farmland are getting covered with solar panels.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Right. I bet you'd be saying the same thing if the OP was your neighbour and he was erecting a windmill.

Keep in mind, folks, that part of the City's duties are to keep it beautiful. I'm not saying that solar panels are ugly or that they shouldn't be used. I am saying that bylaws exist for a reason. Homeowners can't just go around modifying their houses and properties to their heart's content. Solar panels happen to fall under a particular (antiquated) bylaw. Lobby to change it if it's important to you.

edit* Had I read the whole thread I would have seen that NeedThneed already made the exact same point.
I can't believe that the logic of city bylaws escapes so many.

pfft. "bad laws". Are you serious? Us adults call it "outdated". It needs to be changed. You want to run to the media and cry like a toddler before discussing it? I'm sure you're very successful with this tactic, but in the real world, fist pounding and crying gets you nowhere.

You have a good point, however, if the only concern was the asthetics of the panels that could have been easly dealt with through inspections and limitations not out right banning of the damn things.