Hello Profit, Goodbye Survival

Vol. 4, No. 1 14 November 2022

Hello Profit for Few, Goodbye Survival for All

Years ago South Miami resolved to move toward renewable energy. On "February 3rd, 2009, the City Commission passed Resolution No. 23-0912832 adopting a goal of carbon neutrality for municipal operations by the year 2030 and the Mayor and City Commission resolved that the "City of South Miami and all of its departments and boards shall coordinate and implement the Carbon Neutral Initiative, insofar as funds, voluntary efforts, or other resources become available" and

"On May 7th, 2019, the City Commission unanimously passed Resolution 5919-15331 committing the City to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy communitywide by 2040"

At the rate of construction and reconstruction, the City will still be depending on FP&L for its electricity by 2040. FP&L does produce electricity by solar panels, but that electricity is not used to power Florida. It is sold to out-of-state companies which are more committed to slowing climate change.

There is one item on tomorrow's Commission Agenda which, if passed, will stop South Miami's progress in moving toward carbon neutrality.

8. A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commissioners of the City of South Miami relating to placing a moratorium on, or repealing, Section 20-3.6(W) concerning Solar Requirements. 3/5 (Commissioner Liebman) https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/1652706/Reso_Moratorium_or_Repeal_Solar_CArev.pdf

Is it compelling that the cost of new construction be used as the only reason for polluting the atmosphere and enhancing the damage of climate change? Does not the cost of health problems, crop failures, flooding, wind damage, water shortage, etc., outweigh the profits of builders and the luxury of less expensive home improvements? The main reason for suggesting that the City stop imposing the requirement for adding solar panels to new residences or to 75% or more renovated residences is that it is too costly. How much does it cost to build or almost completely renovate a residence in this City? Close to a million dollars? Let's say it does cost $1M; the cost of solar panels would be about 2% of the total. Of course, that would break the bank!

And I wonder just how many potential new or renovated residences have not gone forward because of this requirement. How many are being constructed and are complying with the requirements? Has anyone presented any data?

From what I know, insurance companies may be cutting off their noses to spite their faces. This is what I found on the Internet:

"What is required for permitting solar panels anywhere in Florida is that the system meets the Florida Building Code. The 2010 Florida Building Code is now the effective code, and this requires that solar panels (components and cladding) meet wind loads that are imposed upon them. Solar panels must be firmly attached to the building and have enough attachment points to resist wind uplift. The weight of solar panels is negligible and rarely needs to be considered. In most of Southwest Florida, the ultimate design wind speed is 160 mph. ... Using calculations in accordance with ASCE 7-10, engineers determine the wind uplift at any given attachment point and ensure that the attachment method resists the required load at the design wind speed with a safety margin.

"In other words, same requirements that Dade County has yjese requirements: to meet the local wind speed requirement. This is done by selecting the proper number of tie-down straps and/or attachment points to resist wind uplift given any installation location and scenario. The building department reviews plans and inspects work to ensure that the requirements of the Florida Building Code have been met." https://floridasolardesigngroup.com/do-solar-panels-meet-miami-dade-hurricane-wind-requirements/

What reason - other than a few sculptures - would Medellin - a city labeled South Miami's sister city and which prides itself to being aligned with Colombia's reliance on renewable energy - want to be associated with a very small American city that does not care about the damages of climate change? Indeed, Medellin has been the city chosen to run an experiment where the cost of different designs of resident-owned power production is weighed against the larger electricity providers. https://smartcities.ieee.org/newsletter/january-2022/advancing-from-community-to-peer-to-peer-energy-trading-in-the-medellin-colombia-local-energy-market-trial

"Wind and Solar Panels

"According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, solar panels are extremely unlikely to be damaged by hurricanes or tornadoes. This is because they’re designed with an aerodynamic shape that makes them very stable even in strong winds. Solar panels are designed to withstand wind speeds up to 140 miles per hour. (Even a category three hurricane, considered a major hurricane, will typically have a top wind speed of 129 mph)." https://www.bettertomorrowsolar.com/blog/how-solar-panel-can-withsand-a-hurricane-by-better-tomorrow/

"Solar users reportedly did better than households using energy companies during Hurricane Ida in August 2021. The panels are designed to withstand wind speeds up to 150 mph. Hurricane-strength winds can damage racking, and falling debris can damage solar arrays, but solar paneling is tough." https://www.discovery.com/science/extreme-weather-tests-solar-and-wind-power"

The article quoted above goes on to describe a whole community which withstood Ian despite the damage done all around it.

I have been told that proper installation of the frame that holds the panels in place on a roof actually make the roof stronger, because it is a sturdy metal grid which reinforces the roof.

Wildlife Refuge

Another troubling proposal on tomorrow's agenda (Item 12) both ignores the deaths of birds and makes South Miami's calling itself a Wild Life Sanctuary deceitful.

The City's Code of Ordinances Chapter 5, Article 1 Sec. 5-1 states:

'(a) For the purpose of this section "wildlife" shall be defined as all native birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. and all animal species otherwise protected by federal, state, or county law.

(b) The territory embracing the corporate limits of the city is hereby declared to be a wildlife sanctuary and designated as "environmentally sensitive."'

Garbage and Trash

Let me point out that the proposed Resolution in Item 3 states: "WHEREAS, currently, the City’s solid waste Division provides bulk-trash pick-up to residents, without charge for up to one-half truckload (12.5 cubic yards)"

The pickup is not free. The charge is included in the City's property tax. Such a service is why property owners pay somewhat more taxes than our neighboring cities. However, there is a whole section of Miami-Dade County residents who think this tax is worth the good services the City provides. They want to be annexed. If they are, they, too, will be paying for the weekly trash removal and twice-weekly garbage pick-up. Such frequent services do much to make our City look beautiful and to provide for pleasant living.

Item 7

There's nothing like ex-post-facto approval! Especially when approval was already given. I wonder whether the Commission's recasting of votes makes these Keys to the City more legitimate and more meaningful to the three gentlemen who came to view the sculptures. Is this item on the agenda to take attention away from items of greater impact on the City, and to exhaust the new Commission and everyone who is attending the meeting?

To the Readers

I would very much like to hear from you whether or not you would like me to continue publishing this commentary. You can post your preference on this website, or send me an email. Thank you very much for your opinion.

Perhaps for the last time:

Keep healthy and stay safe!