Obama's solar White House
Source: Agencies |
October 6, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SOLAR power is coming to US President Barack Obama's house.
The most famous residence in America plans to install solar panels atop the White House's living quarters. They will be in place by spring 2011, and will heat water for the first family and supply some electricity.
The plans will be formally announced by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairwoman Nancy Sutley and Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush both tapped into the sun's energy during their days in the White House. Carter in the late 1970s spent US$30,000 on a solar water-heating system for West Wing offices. Bush's solar systems powered a maintenance building, some of the mansion and heated the swimming pool.
Obama, who has championed renewable energy, has been under increasing pressure to lead by example by installing solar at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, something White House officials said has been under consideration since he first took office.
The decision perhaps has more importance now after legislation to reduce global warming pollution died in the Senate, despite the White House's support. Obama has vowed to try again on a smaller scale.
Last month, global warming activists with 350.org carried one of Carter's solar panels - which were removed in 1986 - from Unity College in Maine to Washington to urge Obama to put solar panels on his roof.
It was part of a global campaign to persuade world leaders to install solar panels on their homes. After a meeting with White House officials, they left Washington without a commitment from Obama.
That followed calls by the solar industry for the White House to become a national billboard for solar power. "Putting solar on the roof of the nation's most important real estate is a powerful symbol calling on all Americans to rethink how we generate electricity," Solar Energy Industries Association President Rhone Resch said.
The most famous residence in America plans to install solar panels atop the White House's living quarters. They will be in place by spring 2011, and will heat water for the first family and supply some electricity.
The plans will be formally announced by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairwoman Nancy Sutley and Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush both tapped into the sun's energy during their days in the White House. Carter in the late 1970s spent US$30,000 on a solar water-heating system for West Wing offices. Bush's solar systems powered a maintenance building, some of the mansion and heated the swimming pool.
Obama, who has championed renewable energy, has been under increasing pressure to lead by example by installing solar at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, something White House officials said has been under consideration since he first took office.
The decision perhaps has more importance now after legislation to reduce global warming pollution died in the Senate, despite the White House's support. Obama has vowed to try again on a smaller scale.
Last month, global warming activists with 350.org carried one of Carter's solar panels - which were removed in 1986 - from Unity College in Maine to Washington to urge Obama to put solar panels on his roof.
It was part of a global campaign to persuade world leaders to install solar panels on their homes. After a meeting with White House officials, they left Washington without a commitment from Obama.
That followed calls by the solar industry for the White House to become a national billboard for solar power. "Putting solar on the roof of the nation's most important real estate is a powerful symbol calling on all Americans to rethink how we generate electricity," Solar Energy Industries Association President Rhone Resch said.
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