Town officials in Oxford, Maryland are considering equipping government buildings with solar power to improve the town’s environmental impact. While the concept has positive intentions, there have been concerns expressed that the project may compromise the town’s quaint aesthetic.
Solar panels can present tough decisions, particularly for local governments with tight budgets. Just consider the $750 million renovation of the Herbert Hoover Building that has been indefinitely delayed due to budget cuts, which we covered on our blog earlier this year.
Renewable energy initiatives like these can be challenging to embrace, but we have seen time and time again that when communities take steps towards sustainability, all parties benefit. We’ve seen these results with our own government customers – including local government projects across the continental U.S., as well as federal projects including the White House, Department of Justice, U.S. Congress, U.S. Military and U.S. Coast Guard. These projects not only improved facility environmental impacts – the final products turned out within budget and as aesthetically appealing as buying new.
We applaud Oxford’s local government for its foresight in using solar power for government buildings – and its take on gathering local support. It is important for elected officials to engage local opinions and perspectives on public restorations, while also keeping a close eye on environmental and economic impacts.
If you’d like to learn more about The Refinishing Touch’s work within the government sector, please visit our project page here.