[Nick_C]

I would incline more to libertarian views like this if the full downstream cost of your decision was brought back to you to pay. But it never is.

Example where I live: new building is almost all McMansions because the new wealth wants that crappy design. Trouble is, the buildings have no eaves, so they get really hot (+100F) in summer when the sun hits the walls. They must have air-conditioning. Electricity capacity wasn't designed for that, so we need new generators and an upgraded grid. All users bills have gone up by 50% in 3 years to pay for it.

Why are my bills going up? I haven't done anything. The McMansion owners should pay the full cost. The only way for that to happen is by government order, thereby defeating libertarianism. Or, design rules should be changed to forbid eave-less building, also defeating libertarianism. It's catch-22.

[middlegeek]

Sounds like the problem is sprawl and the fact that most of the houses near you are McMansions is besides the point. All houses in a climate that nears 100F are going to want AC.