Solar Energy

Recently, I received this message from a good friend:

Hi Malcolm,

This is fun to read .. I was wondering if Das has any opinions/ideas or
interest about solar energy here on the south coast? I am starting to do
interviews with people in town regarding solar energy. I would like to be
able to cover a cross section of people from educators to general
contractors to home owners to policy makers. I am curious to learn what the
city of SB is considering regarding solar. Let me know if you think Das
would be a good person from the council for me to talk with.

My goal is to produce at 30 minute show about solar energy that will air on
public access tv, channel 17.

thanks, Rad

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I replied:

Hey, RAd!

Good to hear from you.

Das is definitely progressive and alternative energy oriented. One of his
first political acts was riding in an Ojai July 4th parade as a member of
S.U.N. -- Stop Uranium Now -- at age 5. We advocated the development of
energy alternatives instead of building nuclear power plants like the one
that is the blight upon Diablo Canyon. He, of course, has continued to go
further on these subjects.

I've copied him on this message so you can get in contact with him directly.

Hope it's not too long before our waves meet.

Aloha,

OOP

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... and Das replied:

RAd,

First the window-dressing: we will or have signed onto the gov's Million
Solar Roofs and CEC's fossil free initiatives, but making goals are easy,
it's changing our habits that isn't. First, city government should lead the
way. That's why I have pushed an initiative to have solar on our library &
parking garages' roofs. Second, the city needs to encourage Green Building
LEED certification of new and revamped buildings, both by giving those
projects a break and, in some cases, requiring it. Third, we need to change
the culture of our design review boards so that they understand the policy
need and expand their aesthetic taste to include solar.

Hope that answered your questions. You can use any and all of that in your
show. Write me anytime and if you want me to appear on the show, call
564-5318 and have one of the women answerers put it on my schedule.

-Das