Beginning September 7th, Bill McKibben and students from Unity College in Maine are on a road trip to Washington D.C., with a specific goal in mind. This 350.org-affiliated group plans to approach the White House to urge President Obama to install solar panels on his roof in order to finally make a stand on energy issues, set an example for citizens, and to participate in 350.org’s “Global Work Party” on October 10th (10-10-10).
In 1979, President Jimmy Carter put solar panels on the White House. In 1986, President Reagan removed them and they were never replaced. Years later, Unity College in Maine adopted the panels where they have lived ever since. Until now.
Unity College has removed one panel from their cafeteria roof and donated it to 350.org’s campaign to convince President Obama to put solar back on the White House roof.
The road tripping group is carrying with them the one historical solar panel, a public message, and a promise from a company who will donate a slew of new panels to populate the rest of the roof with as long as the President agrees to take the challenge.
As a way of bringing awareness to the mission and garnering support with which to face the White House, the bio-diesel-powered caravan has made stops along the way in Boston and New York City. At each stop, discussions were had and signatures were gathered in a petition of a unique form: on the glass front of the panel!
With the recent failure of any action toward comprehensive clean energy/climate action legislation in the Senate, many feel that it is an imperative time for the President to take a stand on energy issues. This is one way for him to do just that without the rest of the Government interceding; as Mr. McKibben stated, “they can’t filibuster his roof.”
Not only will this be a great first act on the issue of energy, but if the White House takes leadership here, it might jump-start the rest of the country to move in this direction (the 350.org web site details the significant spike in seed sales shortly after Michelle Obama planted the White House garden).
Thus far, somewhere throughout the stops that were made in Boston and NYC, Bill McKibben has spoken with the White House via telephone and heard that they are “interested” but that “it’s complicated.” Plans for further discussion have been scheduled.
Updates on the progress of the road trip are available via email sign-up, or by visiting the website. Less formal updates are available via Twitter, by following @Panel350.
Stay tuned!
You may view a trailer for the documentary surrounding the Presidential solar panels here.