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Latest on Solar Energy in DC (Lightening Your Carbon Footprint is a Great Way to Take Your Yoga Off the Mat)
For those of you in DC without your own roof, I just received this email (live in another jurisdiction–maybe you can get your state or county to sponsor similar legislation):
Dear ,
DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN) has been working hard to make solar affordable and accesible to every resident of DC. I’m excited to report that CMs Cheh and Alexander introduced the Community Renewables Act of 2012 on Tuesday. A summary and the full text of the bill is available online at http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/legislation/community-renewables-energy-act-of-2012
If you live in an apartment building, a Condo, a Coop, if you rent or live in a shady area this bill is for you! It will let you own part of a commuity solar array somewhere else in DC and then let you “virtually net meter” the production from that array right to your electric bill. You will be able to buy solar and see your Pepco bill DROP! You will also be able to support local green jobs and help fight climate change! The bill also has really important provisions to support solar in low income households. For more info, a fact sheet and everything you want to know about the bill go to DC SUN website: https://sites.google.com/site/dcsolarunitedneighborhoods/key-issues-and-committees/community-renewable-energy-act-of-2012
We are so excited by this news! If you see Council members Cheh or Alexander say “thanks for taking leadership on Community Solar.” Stay tuned for updates.
Anya
PS: Check out this great radio story on the Community Solar bill– http://wamu.org/news/12/03/08/dc_considers_community_solar_power
Signs Around Town
Peace, Paz, Shanti

Taking a Better Look
When I was walking to work yesterday, I was delighting in watching a pair of red-headed finches cavorting at the very top of a newly blooming cherry tree just outside the Friends Committee on National Legislation’s building, which is across the street from the Hart Senate building. An impeccably suited man in a suit who was walking towards the Hart building said to me, “it is wonderful to see everything starting to bloom, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is indeed,” I replied, and pointed out the finches.
“I hadn’t noticed them; good eye,” the man said, “look, they’re eating the blossoms.” The finches were tearing blossoms off the tree and singing with great enthusiasm.
“You can see them even better from the other side of the tree, because the sun is lighting them up instead of shadowing them,” I added.
“I’ll have to go back and take a look,” he said and walked back to the other side of the tree to watch the birds as I headed on to work, with my day brightened by this interchange.
I often get caught looking at the birds or the trees or the sky when walking around town. When there is an opening, I talk to others about what I am seeing to invite them to pause and delight along with me. It is a rare day, though, to hear from someone who is clearly busy and has important work to say, “I’ll have to take a better look.” It is so important to me, and for all of us, to pause and wonder, to remember and recognize the beauty as we go about our day.
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