Let's have a serious discussion about the proper way to "Go Green". As a free marketeer I would always prefer the market lead the charge and initiate change. However, when the oil companies dominate such a prevalent portion of the market share, government intervention is needed in the right way.

The government needs to go green.

Starting with federal buildings, the government should begin installing solar panels on the roofs of buildings that will permit it. Let's not be silly here; of course there will be no panels on the White House or Capital Building. I imagine the few hundred if not thousand other federal structures could use a little solar giddy-up however.

This helps solve a problem for the government and creates a potential revenue stream. The government would not need to purchase as much juice from the grid (leaving more for us) and the fed could possibly generate more electricity than they use. Imagine a scenario wherein the federal government is in the position to sell electricity back to the power companies.

Perhaps the government could create a strategic electricity reserve of sorts. This would undoubtedly somewhat lesson our need for foreign oil which is our greatest national defense weakness.

There will be massive cost outlays with this project. When was the last time our government didn't spend money though? Besides, this is a project with a payback period; unlike bridges to nowhere in Alaska.

What say you?