Solar for Our Schools
"Letter to Editor"08/19/2010
Solar for Our Schools
Dear Friend,
It will take a lot of problem-solving to get this economy moving again. I am running for Congress because I’m tired of listening to politicians like Congressman Erik Paulsen describe the problems without putting solutions of the table, and I know that we can do better.
I am running for Congress because I’m tired of listening to politicians like Congressman Erik Paulsen describe the problems without putting solutions of the table, and I know that we can do better. We won’t solve these problems by picking fights, demonizing the other side, or arguing about whether government is too big or too small. We’ll solve them by agreeing on pragmatic solutions that can help put people back to work.
For one example, Minnesota is as good as Miami for producing solar energy. Businesses like tenKsolar in Bloomington, Blue Horizon Solar in Edina, and others across the state are advancing the technology and expanding installation options for businesses and homes. They are gearing up to bring this technology into widespread use.
What’s preventing widespread solar use is that the up-front costs are still too high. If we were to divert $15 billion from the unspent stimulus funds, we could retrofit up to 6,000 schools across the nation with solar panels—creating thousands of clean energy jobs in the short term, saving schools money on electricity, and increasing demand, which will help drive down production costs and make solar panels more affordable for businesses and homes.
Solar for Our Schools is one idea I will put on the table immediately in Congress to create jobs, save schools money, and help teach our kids about clean energy. This alone won’t solve the jobs crisis and there’s no silver bullet to fix our economy. But I’ve had enough of Rep. Paulsen’s do-nothing approach and I’m ready to help solve the problem—starting with cutting the red tape and creating more clean energy jobs right now in our district and across the country.
Sincerely,
Jim Meffert
Jim Meffert is running for Congress to fight for the families of Minnesota’s Third District.