Comments on: ‘Cool roads’ AB 296 threatens Southern California’s groundwater

By: computernerd

computernerd — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:51:37 +0000

Moonbeam signed the crappy piece of legislation yesterday. White roads and less rainfall, here it comes..!!!!

By: Anactual Engineer

Anactual Engineer — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 19:20:15 +0000

The ASU article studies the effect of rainfall and evapotranspiration patterns in the face of urbanization. As formerly virgin land is urbanized, much less water is retain in the soil column due to runoff. The air temperature increases (urban heat island effect) due to the heat sink of the new land use and the energy use of teh new residents. Using reflective roofs reduces the air temperature therefore reducing the evaporative rate of water. That’s because the reflective pavements and roof actually work as intended. Urbanization is by far the major factor in the precipation reduction projected by their model.

Reflective coatings prevent urban areas from getting as hot as they would otherwise. This saves energy used for AC and lighting, further reducing heat sources from exhaust of AC and power plants. Compared to the surrounding native land however, the temperature will still be higher.

The concept of heating the ambient air a city to avoid temperature inversions pushes the limits of credibility………

By: Laer Pearce

Laer Pearce — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 23:51:27 +0000

Typical Crazifornia Eco-groveling to Gaia, the Earth Mother. “It sounds like a good idea, so let’s do it, and ignore any science counter to the green buzz we’re getting.”

Not mentioned as another reason not to go down this route is cool road glare, which will surely cause more accidents and deaths than less reflective dark-surfaced roads. Think of the victims as sacrifices to Gaia.

By: JLSeagull

JLSeagull — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 02:15:17 +0000

Gee, a Democrat from Berkley coming up with a hair-brained idea like this. Whooda thunk it.

Along the same lines a white roads and white roofs, I wonder how much heat solar panels reflect back into the atmosphere. Yet another undiscovered source of AGW encouraged by AGW’ers. Naaaaw, never happen.

By: Dean Grose

Dean Grose — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:02:19 +0000

Justification on why we need a Part-Time Legislature, like many other states. They will have to focus on real tasks instead of dreaming up ways to ‘help protect us from ourselves’ mentality. This, like climate change, global warming, have all proven to be false yet we continue to suffer and struggle as a result of AB32, CARB and the AQMD folks. Time for them all to take a time out and focus on the really important things — the economy and jobs for Californians.

By: Wayne Lusvardi

Wayne Lusvardi — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:36:25 +0000

Good point Robert. The building would be cooler under a white roof and the earth cooler under a white road but the air temperature would be higher. The heat feeds back into the air. But it is being advertised as “cool roofs” and “cool roads” to reduce the urban heat island effect. This is nonsense that doesn’t even meet the level of high school science.

By: Edward Steele, Chief Investigator

Edward Steele, Chief Investigator — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:30:02 +0000

Well observed Bob !

By: Robert L

Robert L — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:20:40 +0000

I have worked on “white” rubber roofs throughout Southern California as an Air Conditioning Tech and have observed several things,
1. The air immediately above the roof is Always 10-22 degrees Hotter than the ambient (on ground)air, even blacktop parking lots.
2. White roofs are anything but, they turn all kinds of interesting colors, depending on location, so rendering the “albedo” a bit less than optimum, and the need to Wash the roofs down cost thousands of gallons of water,
As I said I’m an A/C guy so Temperature is my living,
Bob

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 16:13:38 +0000

In light of this new information I will be stunned if Gov. Brown signs this bill