"The Economics of Grid Defection" (What is a 'utility in a box'? - k)

[Yo_Mama]

13. That's all true, and these are excellent points

Conservation is always going to provide the maximum return, whether that return is assessed in terms of costs, in terms of net energy saved, or in terms of emissions/pollution reduction.

But I doubt this lifestyle is generally feasible. Thus we do have to have the alternate techs, because while all your points are valid, they are unlikely to coexist.

If you live in a city, it is highly unlikely that you will not need energy to either warm or cool your apartment. It is generally in the country where the low-energy housing can be constructed. And if you live in the country and have a compost pile and animals to feed, you drive more. And in some places not suitable for ag, the meat animals are the "low-energy, low-environmental impact" food source, and if you live in NYC, the vegetables are trucked in and cooled and aren't low-energy any more.