The Road to Good Intentions

In this business climate, I am looking at different options and opportunities.  I was referred to a program that came out of the American  Reinvestment and Recovery Act, otherwise known to you as the “stimulus package.”   This program is aimed at getting a certain segment of the retail businesses to buy energy efficient LED lighting and some other measures.  I sat in the training for one full day and listened to all of the things they had to say.  Basically, it boils down to the government wanting them to buy energy efficient lighting so that we use less energy.  Okay, whose not down with that?

We’re supposed to go around to small businesses and give them proposals to install LED lighting.  We ‘re asking small businesses to spend up to possibly several thousand dollars (after rebates and incentives) depending on the size of the business and explain the payback to them.  The question was asked if SDGE was backing this program because they provide zero percent financing for energy efficiency projects.  The answer was no.  Then there was a discussion of how are we going to get small business owners in this climate to buy several thousand dollars worth of lights?  It ain’t gonna happen.  Cash is too valuable right now and people are spending it on what they need, especially small business.  If I have working lights, then I don’t need new ones.

Secondly, the other measures weren’t even applicable to most of the market they were going after, so that was useless.

Thirdly, all participants are required to pay prevailing wages(union wages).  I don’t know too many small business owners who are willing to pay the guys installing the lights $47/hour.  I can get guys to install lights for $12/hour.

Fourthly, after three months in the program you’re supposed to hire someone since this is part of the “jobs program.”  Well, I don’t need or want to hire anyone additional right now. 

I had a few suggestions for the project manager of the program where it could easily make the program worthwhile and viable, but they  weren’t interested.  Maybe the government should stop trying to create jobs and leave that to the private market.  I would like to see the government shrink considerably.  I would like to see a balanced budget.  I would like to see tax cuts.  I would like to see pension reform.  I would like to see salaries drop.  I would like to see the troops brought home.

I recently did a project for a client for $36,555.00.  The city extracted over $6,000.00 in permit fees from me and my client, almost 17% of the project cost.  Politicians and government employees just don’t get it because they’re insulated from all of this, but there’s a reason the tea party exists.  It really doesn’t matter if you’re democrat or republican, this crap needs to stop.

Share