A Salt Lake Contractor wants to help the environment by adding solar panels to a historic home that he is expanding. He wants to add 8 panels but is meeting resistance from city planners who are concerned that the panels will significantly impact the historic integrity of the property and its context.
That’s crazy talk.
The contractor, Alex Steckel, points out that SLC Mayor Rocky Anderson now has an international reputation for the city’s environmentalism and has required all new municipal buildings be energy efficient. This is aside from Steckel’s desire to begin getting officials to support the technology that will help heat homes with the least environmental impact.
The aesthetic aspect of this issue is another example of the value our society places on looks. I love looking at old architecture in buildings, but when it comes to being practical and sensible with regards to our planet’s life, historical integrity goes out the window for me. Steckel points this out: “We’ve got to pay more attention to the way we conduct our lives. I’m just trying to do something that is consistent with that belief.” While city officials hope that if this project is allowed to continue it doesn’t set a precedent for historic homes, Steckel hopes it does set a precedent.
With the invention of digital photography, it will do to simply remember the history of things like architecture.
Our planet is in trouble. We need to put our cosmetic desires aside and do what is right to improve the climate of our environment.
Kudos to this Green Builder.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 