The town of Brookline, Massachusetts (wealthy town just outside Boston)
has banned the use of oil or natural gas for heating or cooking in all
new construction or significant renovations, with the stated goal to
lower carbon emissions as well as get away from fossil fuels and "save
trees" (from what? it sounded like leaky gas lines were killing
them???). A few exceptions, I guess new restaurants can use gas.
Goes into effect in one year.

So how will new houses be heated? Electric? Expen$ive, plus consumes
more fossil fuel making electricity for heat than burning gas directly
for heat.
Heat pumps? Maybe. (needs backup electric heat, see above)
Geothermal? Expensive to install, but works well.
Firewood? :-) What was that about saving trees? :-)

Good idea or absurd?

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)

) What was that about saving trees? :-)

Good idea or absurd?

Firewood is renewable, supposedly you can get a cord of firewood per acre and never run out. Your liberal neighbors might complain about the smoke, but their idea.
Similar problem on Long Island. Not understanding why more geo heat pumps, basically 300% efficient use of electric...still expensive heat and hot water.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)