Archive for the ‘Federal Government’ Category

It’s Time For A Solar Revolution

Friday, February 12th, 2010

138Senator Bernie Sanders, co-sponsor of the Ten Million Solar Roofs Act, has written an op-ed piece advocating solar in the US and he calls for 200,000 new solar water heating systems to be installed in the next 10 years.

He writes “If we are serious about moving toward energy independence in a cost-effective way, we should invest in solar energy.  If we are serious about cutting air and water pollution and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we should invest in solar energy. If we are serious about creating a significant number of good paying jobs and making the United States a world leader in the production of sustainable energy, we should invest in solar energy. And, as we move forward in the solar revolution, a very good step forward would be the passage of the Ten Million Solar Roofs Act.”

Federal Solar Thermal Rebate Program in the Works

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Coming on the heels of the recently approved California Solar Initiative (CSI) solar thermal rebate program, SunWater Solar is pleased to learn that the federal government is now considering a bill that would institute a similar program for all 50 states. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced the bill, entitled the 10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010.  Supported by the solar industry,  this bill would “increase the quantity of solar photovoltaic electricity by providing rebates for the purchase and installation of an additional 10,000,000 solar roofs and additional solar water heating systems with a cumulative capacity of 10,000,000 gallons by 2019.”

Once enshrined into law, this legislation would provide further incentives for American business and home owners to adopt solar thermal for their water heating needs. The law would help the economy by creating more green jobs and keep Americans on the path toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as our dependence on fossil fuels.

President Obama Signs Executive Order Setting Sustainability Goals

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Demonstrating a commitment to lead by example, President Obama signed an Executive Order in October that sets sustainability goals for Federal agencies and focuses on making improvements in their environmental, energy and economic performance. The Executive Order requires Federal agencies to set a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target within 90 days; increase energy efficiency; and sets many other goals.

SunWater Solar believes that solar hot water will play a major part in this effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in federal facilities across the country.   With nearly 500,000 federal facilities nationwide, the federal government can play a major role in making the country more sustainable.