New Green Law in Hawaii

The rest of the US should be following in Hawaii's foot steps. Why you ask? They have just put into effect a new law that will prohibit building permits for single family homes that do not have solar water heaters.

All new homes are going to require energy efficient systems starting in 2010. (Exceptions include large forested areas.)

Of course, people argue that this drives the cost of these newly built homes to increase. However, you can make one yourself (Google it).

I think that this is a good initiative, although I wonder why its not going into effect until 2010. I think this would be a good law to put in effect elsewhere in the US, maybe in the south. I also think that in general solar panels, as they become cheaper and more readily available, should have to be used on newly built homes in the US in areas where they would be most beneficial.