The Other Footprint the Issue: It's Only Fair to Look at Carbon Footprint of Home of His Nemesis. Their View: Oops, Al, It Looks As If Bush's House in Texas Saves Far More Energy.

    In fairness to Al Gore, who has been pilloried of late for the excessive carbon footprint of his house in suburban Nashville, Tenn., has anyone looked into the footprint of the house of his nemesis?

    "The passive-solar house is built of honey-colored native limestone and positioned to absorb winter sunlight, warming the interior walkways and walls of the 4,000-square-foot residence. Geothermal heat pumps circulate water through pipes buried 300 feet deep in the ground. These waters pass through a heat-exchange system that keeps the home warm in winter and cool in summer. A 25,000- gallon underground cistern collects rainwater gathered from roof urns; wastewater from sinks, toilets and showers cascades into underground purifying tanks and is also funneled into the cistern. The water from the cistern is then.. used to irrigate the landscaping around the four-bedroom home. consumes 25 percent of the energy of an average American home," according to Cowboys and Indians Magazine (October 2002).

    Oops! That's George Bush's house in Crawford, Texas. Sorry, Al!.

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