Gov's home goes green with solar panels, wind turbines

[BeatleBoot]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090711/POLITICS02/907110360/1448/LIFESTYLE14/Gov-s-home-goes-green-with-solar-panels--wind-turbines

Lansing -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm is taking her campaign for green technology to the governor's residence, where a wind turbine has been erected and solar panels soon will go up to increase the home's energy efficiency.

With a new sprinkler system that saves water by taking the weather and what's planted into account and a small area of the garage roof covered with sedum plants and a special membrane to keep it cool, the residence provides an example of ways consumers can save money by using Michigan products.

"Average citizens can see a 30 percent reduction in their own energy expenditures through weatherization and just simple stuff," Granholm said. "They don't have to put on live roofs or install solar panels. It's all just energy efficiency."

The governor led an Associated Press reporter and photographer around the grounds of the sprawling state-owned residence in Lansing's most upscale neighborhood and through the 8,700-square-foot house, where fluorescent and LED lights have been installed and electronic thermostats control heating and air conditioning.

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[Botany]

1. Way to go Gov. Granholm