Solar Shine or Burn Out?
In Washington, opinions on energy reform are mixed
by Max Ashburn
American University Interactive Journalism Program
Fall 2007
Photo by Max Ashburn
The Environmental and Energy Study
Institute holds a hearing on solar
energy for Capitol Hill staffers.
WASHINGTON, D.C.– There is an infectious sense of hope about the future of solar energy among the participants and spectators at the Solar Decathlon on the National Mall.
For the twenty collegiate teams showing their solar homes at the Department of Energy-sponsored event, it’s an opportunity to show off their forward-thinking homes, some of which are more than two years in the making.
For those on Capitol Hill who are concerned about America’s energy and environmental future and who see alternative energy development as a vital component of that future, the two-week showcase is a shining example of clean energy in action.
Lowell Ungar, Director of Policy at the Alliance to Save Energy, said the homes on display at the Mall are just an example of what needs to be done to guide this country off a dependence on oil and other fossil fuels.
Photo by Max Ashburn
Not everyone thinks solar energy
is the best answer for solving our
energy and environmental problems.
“You can look at these great buildings on the Mall and that represents what can be done,” Ungar said. But if we really want to affect great change in our climate we need to apply the standards of solar houses to all commercial and residential buildings, he said.
But there are those in Washington who say it’s not the government’s role to steer change in industry through policies such as tax incentives and zoning laws.
Tom Firey, Managing Editor of Regulation magazine at the Cato Institute, says that the solar industry has yet to develop its products to a level that provides significant benefits to homebuilders and homeowners, but that a market does exist for solar energy products.
“Consumers aren’t finding it to be all that efficient, at least not at the current state of development,” Firey said. When the technology lives up to its potential, he said, people will embrace solar energy just like any other product that improves their lives.
Listen to the audio story
Useful Links:
Alliance to Save Energy
Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Cato Institute