You Can Give Solar a Boost Michael Welch c. 1993 Michael Welch Home Power Magazine is officially kicking off its "Put Solar Panels Back on the White House" campaign. President Carter, during his term, installed a solar hot water system on the White House. This was part of his campaign to increase national emphasis on renewable energy, conservation and energy efficiency. When Ronald Reagan took control, one of the first things he did was to tear the panels down. Now, the solar industry has grown and developed reliable and cost effective products, a symbolic boost from the Clinton Administration would do wonders for the industry. We will be taking this letter writing campaign with us when we visit various energy fairs this summer. If you'd like to help us in getting more letters written, please call or write me. It would be wonderful to have a letter writing booth set up at every energy fair and other community events throughout the nation. SAMPLE LETTER TO THE WHITE HOUSE Dear President Clinton and Vice President Gore, Please re-install solar hot water panels on the White House. You have the opportunity to send a powerful message to the people of the United States. It is time for Presidential leadership to put our nation back on the path of renewable energy, conservation and efficiency. At the same time, please invite our nation's energy leaders and the press to participate in a public dedication of the new solar hot water system to let all citizens know that they, too, can contribute to a clean energy future for the entire nation. Please also introduce legislation to improve the watered-down version of the National Energy Bill which passed last year before you took office. Sincerely, Pat Q. Solar Everywhere, USA It's important to write your letter right away. OK, OK, I know how hard it is to put down the new issue of HP until you have completely gone through it. Might I suggest that you place a paper clip on this page now so that you will remember to go back and write this letter, then send it to: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20500 Please don't underestimate the influence that your letters can have. Politicians usually want to hear from their constituents. It gives them the opportunity to do what you want rather than what the special interest groups are constantly pressuring them to do. The sample letter should only serve as an example of what you could send to our President. A personalized letter will carry much more weight than a form letter, so if you have time, make it as unique as possible. Be sure to include the major points of solar panels on the White House, positive publicity for the solar industry, and an improved National Energy Strategy. Some additional points you may want to include in your letter: ù A symbolic boost to the solar industry could develop thousands of much needed new jobs without spending tax dollars to directly create them. ù In the 1970s and '80s, the first efforts to assist the solar industry were marred by fly- by-night dealers who took improper advantage of customer tax incentives by offering shoddy equipment, design and installation. Since then, the solar industry has managed to mature greatly. Now, solar is ready to serve our nation well, especially if it can get a much-needed symbolic boost from the Clinton Administration. ù Mention that a renewable energy future is so important to you, that you are willing to have your hard-earned tax dollars go to boost that industry rather than the expensive and polluting fossil fuel and nuclear industries. ù Encourage the Clinton/Gore philosophy that polluters should pay while clean industry should be rewarded. ù Urge the administration to adopt the provisions in the "Sustainable Energy Blueprint and Budget" as presented to President Clinton by renewable energy proponents earlier this year. Readers Feedback I do want and appreciate your feedback on this column, and I'd like to encourage you to continue sending me information and ideas for future Power Politics columns. Here are a couple of comments I'd like to pass on. Mick Sagrillo felt that the Clinton administration included hydroelectric as taxable in their new energy tax plan because that particular technology is fully matured and could not benefit from a tax advantage over other technologies, not to discourage the damming of rivers as I reported in my last column. Steve & Sherry Robertson wrote to suggest, among other things, that removing the heavy government subsidization of oil production should be the Clinton Administration's first step, rather than starting with the energy tax on fossil fuels. Sounds like a great idea. Access Author: Michael Welch, c/o Redwood Alliance, POB 293, Arcata, CA 95521 voice: 707-822-7884 ù fax:707-826-9582 ù bbs- data: 707-822-8640