bad city by-law

[killer_carlson]

Go through the proper channels? What would that be? The people enforcing this particular bylaw probably are not happy about having to do it, but their job isn't to pick and choose what bylaws get enforced or to write or amend the Bylaws.


this requires a wholesale bylaw change, not an interpretation issue, erego, it takes momentum to get the political will to do so. One individual is not going to have enough sway to create the political will, but one person who gains the public's support will. If there is a proper channel in this sort of situation, it is gaining enough support to force an amendment.

Bad law is bad law. Plain and simple, oh and mr 4x4, thank you for the lesson about the real world.

[ken0042]

I have to agree with 4x4 et al. I would approach your alderman first and ask if the law can be reviewed; and also ask what the timeline is for such a review. Then if it's unacceptable go to the media.

My next question, are you sure its a city by-law? I ask because prior to de-regulation in Alberta it was a provincial thing that you had to buy power from company X.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Cube Inmate

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.

Quebec is the home of power for the US's north eastern coast...

[metal_geek]

Maybe it wasn't the solar panels as much as not being allowed to connect any generation to the grid?... Any airports around, area covanents, other reasons for a "no roof altering" zoning?

Just curious if there is some other obscure reason.
________
Medical Marijuana States

[mykalberta]

I remember watching a documentay on Discovery on this guy in the BC interior I think. He and his wife wanted to go completely off grid but the building codes said they needed to run power to the home anyways. It ended up being seomthing like 50K for all the equipment.

Personally I would put them up and then take them to court over it. Also agree, attempt to embarass them by calling the media, not local but CBC, CTV, Global etc. They will eat up a green BS story like a fat man on a donut.

[Bobblehead]

Ontario uses many types of power - nuclear (52%), hydro (21%), coal (18%), gas (8%), wind (1%)

http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cf...sh.electricity

[loknessmonsters]

Originally Posted by 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.

I tend to agree with flames addiction. Go to council first and see what their response is. A good chance some of these councilors weren't even there when the bylaw was put in and don't even have any knowledge of it being on the books. Give them the chance to make it right and if they don't do anything then go to the media.
Chances are the media are going to be at the council meetings anyway and pick up on the story.

[Muta]

What a dumb by-law. By the same token, if you somehow generated electricity from a stationary bike, I guess that would be illegal. Doesn't matter that you're getting exercise and lowering your dependence on fossil fuels at the same time; it's generating power that the city can't cash in on.

[BlackArcher101]

Dissentower, are you sure this bylaw actually exists? I can't seem to find it on the City of St. Thomas' website.
I think your first step would be to get a copy of the actual bylaw. If you go to the media with the word of someone else and are wrong, you'll look like a fool.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Dissentower, are you sure this bylaw actually exists? I can't seem to find it on the City of St. Thomas' website.
I think your first step would be to get a copy of the actual bylaw. If you go to the media with the word of someone else and are wrong, you'll look like a fool.

I could not find it there either, however I was told by St. Thomas Energy themselves that it was illegal to use the panels. I am going to city hall today to find out what is going on and if they are right and I cannot install my own energy generating devices then my next stop will be my local member of parliament.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I could not find it there either, however I was told by St. Thomas Energy themselves that it was illegal to use the panels. I am going to city hall today to find out what is going on and if they are right and I cannot install my own energy generating devices then my next stop will be my local member of parliament.

Sounds good. If you could, let us know the reason behind it and/or copy the bylaw.

[ken0042]

Sounds to me like the power company is the ones who don't want it. However after doing some research it would appear you can tell them too bad.

Net Metering Brochure

http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cf...qs#question_25

[4X4]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

oh and mr 4x4, thank you for the lesson about the real world.

Always here for you, bud.

I'd simply call the building permit department and ask them. It just seems so ass-backward to run to the media and spout off before doing your homework.

[dissentowner]

So the guy at St. Thomas Energy was full of crap! I went in there and gave them a piece of my mind about giving false information and then informed them that not only was I planning on going ahead with the panels but am now deeply considering a wind turbine as well. Jerks...

[BlackArcher101]

Figures, thought something was really strange with that.