| Dear [Elected Official and/or Planning Board Member], We are writing to ask you to reconsider the clothesline restrictions in place in [name of location]. Climate change and energy conservation are integrally linked national security and environmental issues that we must address, starting at home. Clothes dryers use an estimated 6 to 10 % of residential electricity use. Clothes last longer and smell better if hung outside. The average family can save over $85/year by using a clothesline instead of a dryer. Over $90 million in property damage and 400 injuries/5 deaths are caused each year by fires that start with dryers. It is a mistake when elected officials let aesthetics trump individual property rights even when what a private individual wants to do with their property is a public good (i.e. conserve energy). I understand that certain clotheslines can look sloppy, but you should visit the website of Project Laundry List (www.laundrylist.org) and see how beautiful they can be...even on the front porch. These restrictions are too broad and serve [name of location] and our nation poorly. Thank you. Sincerely, Ivana Drye | | | | Dear [Elected Official], We are writing to ask you to consider introducing/supporting Right to Dry legislation in [your municipality or state]. Climate change and energy conservation are integrally linked national security and environmental issues that we must address, starting at home. Clothes dryers use an estimated 6 to 10 % of residential electricity use. Clothes last longer and smell better if hung outside. The average family can save over $85/year by using a clothesline instead of a dryer. Over $90 million in property damage and 400 injuries/5 deaths are caused each year by fires that start with dryers. It is a mistake when elected officials, landlords, or community associations allow aesthetics to trump individual property rights. If what a private individual wants to do with their property is a public good (i.e. conserve energy), the laws and ordinances of [name of location] should not stand in the way. I understand that certain clotheslines can look sloppy, but you should visit the website of Project Laundry List (www.laundrylist.org) and see how beautiful they can be...even on the front porch. Most restrictions are too broad and serve [name of location] and our nation poorly. Thank you. Sincerely, Ivana Drye | | |
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