Al Gore's Tennessee mansion finally going green?

It looks like Mr. Gore is finally taking steps to practice what he preaches regarding our sacred duty to reduce our carbon footprint. The renovations come quickly on the heels of public criticism of his energy usage ($1200/month for electricity), although he insists the changes are not in response to the criticism.

The Associated Press reports June 8 on the changes that are nearing completion:

Gore's renovation project, which he said has been in the works for months, seeks to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Once his upscale neighborhood changed zoning laws earlier this year, Gore was able to place solar panels on his roof, and he's now preparing to install a geothermal system that will, among other things, drastically reduce the cost of heating his pool.

Gore is also upgrading windows and ductwork, installing more energy-efficient light bulbs and creating a rainwater collection system for irrigation and water management.

Whether or not Gore was reacting to the criticism, it is good to see him try to walk the AGW talk, or at least as much as a rich jet-setter can. Then again, there is that business about the private jet...