Well, hell. There go my retirement plans.
Here's the reason, plain and simple: "It has been pointed out that US lawmakers are often very keen to stamp out any innovations which might loosen the grip of the big energy companies over the lives (and bank accounts) of the American public."
That's it, folks, that and the fact that it's harder for the government to control those people.
Why am I not surprised. A long time ago, they outlawed building concrete block houses. Only buildings a certain size and outer structures like garages. Having worked in masonry during my summer hiatus I pondered the costs of one and realized how much cheaper one could be constructed. One could add poured insulation. The builder could leave a lip on the base block so the owner, when more financially set, could add brick for appearance. But no, no cheap houses
Addendum: a number of states have nixed the use of straw as a building material. It is light, great insulation and very fire resistant when tightly packed and covered. Look at how it is used, pretty cool stuff actually. It, too, could be done cheaply, however in an ironic twist only some rich have built with the material so as to get some intriguing designs.
FALSE
[snopes.com]
I hope you are right! If not, do you have a guest room? I do house and yard work, and I don't shed.
I'm really glad to see that it is false, thanks for your diligence.
I think it's a bit misleading . It's a local government ordinance thing. Not the federal government. This trend is irreversible.