• Hawaii makes solar water heaters mandatory for new city dwellers

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    In order to reduce its 90% reliance on imported fossil fuel Hawaii has proposed a new bill that does not allow new housing licenses to single-family homes without solar water heaters installed. Some exceptions will be allowed, such as forested areas where there are low amounts of sunshine. The bill was signed into law by Governor Linda Lingle, a Republican. It requires the energy-saving systems in homes starting in 2010. State Sen. Gary Hooser, vice chairman of the Energy and Environment Committee, first introduced the measure five years ago when he said a barrel of oil cost just $40.


    Now however with the prices of oil reaching that of Gold the state authorities thought of acting on an old yet practical proposal to save fossil fuels and at least in directly contribute to the environment. The builders and developers were against the bill as usual, saying it would add too much to the cost of new home constructions. The average solar water heater currently costs about $5,250/- this will add $2100/ to every new home buyer at the point of purchase. Not such a promising realty point now is it?
    Via

    Posted in Topics:Alternative Energy, Tags: , on July 4, 2008