Posted by
Average Voter on Friday, August 08, 2008 10:23:11 AM
Small town in Germany is making
big news with its new energy policy. Marburg, Germany's town council has approved a measure making all builders use solar power on all newly erected buldings. It doesn't end there though. If any Marburg resident does any improvements to their own home, like a roof replacement, they must convert to solar as well.
To give the regulation teeth, a fine of 1,000 euros, about $1,500, awaits those who do not comply.
Critics howled that the rule, which is to go into effect on Oct. 1, constituted an attack on the rights of property owners. The regional government in Giessen stepped in and warned that it would overturn the rule.
City officials in Marburg said, in turn, that they would take their case either to administrative court or all the way to the Hessian state capital, where they would try to get the state building code changed to protect their ordinance from officials in Giessen.
Good luck with that...
German democracy; coming to a town near you! (Obama, Obama, Obama...)