Mamdani mocked by GOP for telling New Yorkers to set thermostats to 78

[DrFunkenstein]

Source: The Hill

Republicans are criticizing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) after he suggested residents set their thermostats to 78 degrees to help conserve energy in the city as it braces for triple-digit temperatures this weekend.

“New York: it’s hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool. Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you’re not using, and unplug what you can,” Mamdani wrote on the social platform X late afternoon Wednesday.

Conservative lawmakers and pundits linked the recommendation from the city’s first democratic socialist mayor to victories over the last two weeks by other democratic socialist candidates, arguing it is another example of Democrats embracing “socialism” or “communism.”

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Mamdani’s remarks are “Proof that communism is (unfortunately) alive and well.” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said, “This is Communism at work,” while Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said, “The Socialist Democrats are coming for your AC.”

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/5952239-nyc-mayor-thermostat-criticism/

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The article goes on to point out that Trump's Dept of Energy made the same recommendation, as did the of Florida Public Service Commission appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and several other GOP-led agencies.

This is pretty desperate stuff. It might have worked in the 1970's, but non-MAGA people understand that climate change is at the root of this insane weather - not those who are trying to keep the grid from shutting down like it did in Ted Cruz's Texas.

Naturally, Cruz opens his poorly-bearded mouth to attack Mamdani despite his Cancun-based history with grids, and - naturally - his own state has made the same request on numerous occasions.

Funny, I don't see them saying anything when Trump has oil prices jacking up the cost of air conditioning, but says it "is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace.”

Not much from the GOP when Trump said that the pain of tariffs would be worth it despite unaffordable groceries (and pretty much everything).

Old school "moderates" will hem and haw about these GOP taunts (despite the OBVIOUS hypocrisy), but the new energy in the Party knows that the way to deal with this nonsense is to take the fight to them.

[MichMan]

1. As long as it is mandated for all NYC government offices, it seems reasonable

[ChicagoTeamster]

2. So would they rather New York be like Texas and have citizens die as the electrical grid shuts down every summer

[DrFunkenstein]

14. Ted Cruz Mocked California For The Same Thing BEFORE The Texas Grid Failure

An old Ted Cruz tweet mocking California's 'failed energy policies' resurfaces as a storm leaves millions of Texans without power

An August tweet in which Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas mocked California's "failed energy policies" recirculated on social media on Tuesday as millions of Texans were without electricity because of a rare and severe winter storm.

As of Monday, about 154 million Americans were under some form of winter-weather advisory, CNN reported. About 3.6 million Texans were without power on Tuesday afternoon, according to the outage-tracking site PowerOutage.us, as the state's infrastructure struggles to handle the inclement weather.

In the tweet on August 19, in response to a message from the governor's office urging Californians to turn off unneeded lights and limit their use of appliances, Cruz said California was "unable to perform even basic functions of civilization, like having reliable electricity."

https://www.businessinsider.com/ted-cruz-tweet-mocking-california-energy-policies-resurfaces-texas-storm-2021-2

[ChicagoTeamster]

15. Then ol trash talkin Ted ran to Mexico in the winter while his constituents froze

[LeftInTX]

18. The grid doesn't shut down every summer!

However, we are encouraged to keep our thermostats at 78 etc
We're also discouraged from using major appliances during peak hours.
They're just blowing hot air at Mandami.


High as is "safe and comfortable" is usually around 82 degrees for a home when the grid is stressed.
78 is acceptable for general energy conservation and lowering bills.

Of course, it's hard to do housework at 82 degrees, but it's workable.


This is from the State of Texas.
https://ftp.puc.texas.gov/public/puct-info/waystosave/Ways_to_Save-Electricity.pdfhermostat & Temperature Control
Set your thermostat as high as is safe and comfortable on hot days.
Set your thermostat as cool as is safe and comfortable on cold days.
Use a programmable or smart thermostat to better manage temperature settings; this can save
significantly on heating and cooling costs annually.
Use ceiling and room fans to help cool rooms efficiently. Turn off fans when you leave the room.
In winter, set ceiling fans to rotate clockwise; in summer, counterclockwise to optimize airflow.
Heating, Cooling & Insulation
Clean or replace your HVAC air filter regularly to ensure efficient circulation.
Schedule regular HVAC maintenance beyond filter changes.
Seal or install weather stripping on doors, windows, ductwork, and pipes.
Properly insulate walls, attics, and water heaters to reduce heat loss.
Close drapes or shades on extremely hot or cold days to maintain indoor temperature.
Close the fireplace damper when not in use.
Plant shade trees or install exterior shading to reduce cooling needs in summer.
Appliance Use & Efficiency
Use large appliances like washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers during off-peak hours.
Only run large appliances when they are full.
Wash clothes in cold water to save energy.
Air-dry clothes and dishes when possible.
When shopping for appliances, choose energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® models.
Use smart power strips to eliminate “phantom load” energy waste from electronics.
Lighting & Electronics
Turn off lights and electronics when not in use.
Unplug electronics when away for extended periods.
Use energy-efficient LED light bulbs instead of incandescent or CFL bulbs.
Water Heating
Set your water heater to a safe and comfortable temperature.
Insulate hot water pipes and your water heater to minimize heat loss.
Cooking & Daily Habits
Use a microwave, toaster oven, or air fryer instead of a full oven for small meals.
Monitor energy use with smart meters or apps for real-time feedback.
Audits & Programs
Conduct an energy audit of your home or business.
Check with your electric provider about energy audit programs.
Check with your electric provider for energy efficiency programs or rebates

[newdeal2]

3. Trump doesn't give a damn about affordability

He took away people's health insurance and benefits to pay for tax cuts, he jacked up inflation and oil prices for a stupid war, he kept talking about how kids would be fine with fewer Christmas gifts thanks to his tariffs. Complete silence from the GOP.

A Democrat recommends common sense solutions to a problem they didn't cause = communism.

[not a texan]

4. How long has he been in office?

Does he even have any authority over the grid for NYC, or should they be looking to lay the blame somewhere else. I remember after the 911 attack that the repubs were saying Shrub hadn't been in power long enough to lay the blame at his feet and that was way more time than Mamdani has had. Maybe they could shut off the power to any building with the name Trump on them instead.

[MichMan]

5. I believe that authority would fall under Gov. Hochul

https://dps.ny.gov/

[Lettuce Be]

6. We set AC to 78 when temps are 90 or better. Lower and it just runs all day

Very good advice. Naturally the GOP would find any reasonable advice to be abhorrent.

[LeftInTX]

19. Even the GOP recommends this in many areas. They're just being jerks.

[Buddyzbuddy]

7. Do you know who doesn't handle blackouts very well?

RICH PEOPLE!

[Blues Heron]

8. businesses should be required to turn off lights and lit signs when closed.

walk around and see the huge amount of lighting in closed stores offices etc. Huge 24 hour lit logos, all while the grid is near its limits. Such waste, and then a common sense suggestion to maybe use a little less gets these assholes all fired up like theyre going to score big points.

Theres an old vacant rite aid near here with hundreds of lights that are on 24/7 and have been for years- so sick. Its some kind of mental disease. Youd think the power bill would wake them up but no, they probably get a tax break for it!

Meanwhile its 100 degrees and the lights are flickering.

[TygrBright]

9. He's in great company. They mocked Jimmy Carter for wearing a sweater. n/t

[Karasu]

10. This goes back to the '70s. These idiots are short-term memory dumbfucks who know fuck-all about science and history.

[Bev54]

11. So the GOP are against everything from a Democrat

The current WH administration recommends to keep the A/C at between 75-78 degrees. They just keep proving how effing stupid they are.

[LeftInTX]

20. Exactly!

[state of stupid]

12. I guess they think everyone is as brain dead as they are,

The first known federal recommendation to set your home thermostat to 78°F came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) in a 2009 Energy Star report on energy-efficient thermostat use.

In that report, Energy Star advised keeping the thermostat at 78°F when home and “in need of cooling” during spring and summer, 85°F when away, and 82°F when sleeping. The guidance was part of a broader set of energy-saving tips aimed at reducing cooling costs and improving efficiency.

The 78°F figure has roots in earlier energy conservation efforts. For example, President Jimmy Carter recommended 78°F in federal buildings during the 1979 energy crisis to reduce strain on resources. Over time, the number became associated with energy efficiency, As the experts noted that every degree above 78°F can represent about a 2% reduction in cooling costs.

While the 2009 Energy Star report popularized the 78°F recommendation for the general public, the number itself has been used in energy policy and conservation messaging for decades, making it a long-standing, if debated, guideline for thermostat settings.


They prove their belief that everybody is some witless moron who cannot walk and chew bubble gum at the same time.

[cstanleytech]

13. We keep ours at 77. It's not exactly comfortable but it's better than +80.

[Aristus]

16. How come the "smaller bites of food; no avocado toast; stop with the $5 coffee every day" crowd don't get called

Communists for their insistence that other people conserve and sacrifice?

[robbob]

17. What gets me (again) is the sheer hypocrisy

These clowns know damn well that this is a sensible, standard policy, as the article states it is recommended by Trumps energy board, and also in Texas, but they also know that if they go lie about on Fox “News” all the brain dead magats will eat it up. “Socialism! They’re coming for your air conditioning!!!”

They know it’s a lie, but they also know it’s a lie that works. Makes me sick.