Final answer:
Questions regarding the environmental impacts, cost, percentage of renewable energy, reliability of the power grid, and community engagement plans are essential when considering new energy systems. Inquiries about the adaptation to peak energy demands, night-time charging leveraging solar energy, public willingness to shift driving habits, and infrastructure readiness are also vital.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing a list of questions to ask during the city council's open session on new energy systems, it is vital to consider several aspects that are crucial for the decision-making process. These include the environmental impacts of the energy systems, their cost-effectiveness in both short and long terms, the percentage of renewable energy supplied, how they will influence the power grid's reliability, and plans for community engagement and education around the energy systems.
As a tax-paying citizen, the questions you could ask may also touch on technical considerations and public opinion aspects, such as:
- How will widespread adoption affect residential areas during peak energy demand, particularly popular recharge hours?
- Can the systems efficiently integrate night-time charging to utilize solar energy?
- What is the public's willingness to adapt to new transportation technologies, like dual-system cars or electric vehicles?
- What are the plans for addressing the costs associated with battery decline and replacement in electric vehicles?
- How well-equipped is the infrastructure to handle the new energy demands?
In addition to specific concerns, understanding the civic participation methods and how term limits might affect voter participation and diversity in legislative bodies would further inform a citizen's perspective on these decisions.