Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Solar Power to the People

The world's largest laundromat, located in Chicago is solar powered. Why can't we begin to retrofit homes and businesses to use solar power? If solar is viable in Chicago, it would work almost anywhere in the U.S. It would give a boost to the economy and solve our problem of dependence on terrorist nations for our "oil addiction". An elegant solution. During the oil crisis of the 70's, one of my friends in Connecticut installed a solar hot water system with partial tax credits. Reagan dismantled that incentive program as not being cost effective. Just think where we would be now if that program had been given wings and we had continued with solar development at that time. At some point in the near future we will be forced to abandon fossil fuels.

We just voted to spend $700 million on another coal fired power plant for Springfield. (Well, as you might expect, I voted no.) Imagine that money spent on solar power, and the energy independence that could have given us. The technology will improve over time, but only if we begin to seriously invest in it.

2 comments:

Rock said...

Betty B.,

I lived in Israel for 10 years, and I can tell you that every home, just about, runs on solar power. They also use state-of-the-art drip irrigation systems to conserve every drop of water. You are right. It's feasible.

By the way, I see on your profile that you love Air America, and you don't understand the points I made about liberals? (regarding your comments on my post) Air America is a perfect example of every point I made. I guess you don't agree with me on this. Oh well, I guess that's why we call this a democracy. Have a good, green day.

Rock

Betty B. said...

Rock,

Thanks for comments on solar power.

We don't get Air America on the radio here in SW Missouri. I have listened a little bit to live streaming, but it's hard to pay attention through the commercials and music. I listen to talk radio in the car, which is all the I Hate Liberals, They are evil and Godless, etc. If I were to hear hate speech on Air America, I would object, as I would expect you to object when your chosen ones use hate speech. I need to go back and read all your posts, as I just read a bit. More later.