When tracing so many of our current serious problems, it is virtually impossible to even count the vast number of failed conservative policies that took hold in the Reagan administration.

Energy “policy,” or the lack of one, stands out among the worst failures of conservative Republican rule in the United States.

The Reagan administration, followed by Bush & Cheney/Bush and successive conservative Congresses of both parties are responsible for the complete lack of an economically sound or environmentally sustainable approach to creating or harnessing energy. The Republican and conservative approach to energy has been to massively subsidize fossil fuels, and destroy the United State’s competitive opportunities in emerging technology.  

Now, however, it appears that the Obama administration might be reconsidering one of Ronald Reagan’s more egregious acts of violence against the U.S. economy.

From Chris Good at the Atlantic:

Environmentalist Bill McKibben has been campaigning for the last few weeks to get solar panels put back on the roof of the White House, taking a road trip to DC with the original panels President Carter installed before Reagan took them down, which McKibben has lifted from their current home at Unity College in Maine for the purpose of this advocacy effort.

When the Reagan administration ripped the solar panels from the White House roof, it was proudly engaging in a symbolic act. It was an intentional tribute to ignorance that glorified economic squander and environmental degradation on an unimaginable scale.

If the Obama administration decides to undue this gross act of conservative Republican vandalism against America’s future, we can thank Bill McKibben for his leadership.