So after quite a bit of prodding, it looks like President Obama is finally going to slap up some solar on the White House.
Announced today, solar panels are going to be installed on the roof of the White House's living quarters. When completed, the installation will heat water and supply some electricity.
To be honest, I was expecting to see the President move on this much earlier. After all, for someone who claims to be so supportive of integrating renewable energy, you'd think those solar panels would've been installed months after he took office. Let's face it, if you want to lead, you better lead by example.
Of course, I don't know the ins and outs of the White House. Perhaps there are security and logistical issues I'm not aware of. Or maybe enough people lit up the White House phones recently, that they finally decided to move forward.
Either way, I'm happy that the President has decided to do this. But he's not the first.
In the late 1970's, former President Jimmy Carter put up a solar water-heating system for West Wing offices. Sadly, an arrogant former President Ronald Reagan decided to make a statement that the US would not embrace a clean energy economy, and ripped them down. Clearly one of Reagan's less admirable moments.
Then, 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush installed solar power systems that provided power for a maintenance building, some of the mansion, and heated hot water for the pool. This, despite his lack of interest in a national clean energy policy.
I'm not sure why if it's good enough for the White House, it's not good enough to power our nation. But I guess that's what happens when fossil fuel interests dictate energy policy.
I know, I should be a little more enthusiastic about today's news. And I am pleased. But if President Obama is going to go full force on a new energy policy next year – he needs to show the nation that solar is one of many solutions to our energy and economic problems. . .not just preach about it.
He's finally stepped up. But there's much work that'll still need to be done in 2011. Let's hope it doesn't take the same amount of time it took to approve those White House solar panels as it does to get a solid, energy policy in place.
Jeff
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