Reporter Ann Dornfeld goes to the home of a guy who is trying about everything imaginable to use only the things in his home and yard to sustain himself. Yes, he's using solar power, but he's also using a whole lot of less obvious approaches to being energy and food self-sufficient.
His next door neighbors like the idea in principle, but when it comes to practical application, they're not so sure about some of it.
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Piece Description
Reporter Ann Dornfeld goes to the home of a guy who is trying about everything imaginable to use only the things in his home and yard to sustain himself. Yes, he's using solar power, but he's also using a whole lot of less obvious approaches to being energy and food self-sufficient. His next door neighbors like the idea in principle, but when it comes to practical application, they're not so sure about some of it.
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Transcript
The word "suburbia" conjures up sprawling developments, huge lawns and long commutes. It's not the most eco-friendly arrangement. Jan Spencer lives in the suburbs and he wants to change their reputation. His version of home improvement is making his quarter-acre property as energy-independent as possible. As Ann Dornfeld reports, Spencer calls the process "suburban renewal:"
When you get to Benjamin Street, you don't need to look at house numbers to find Jan Spencer's place. His is the one with a jungle of berry vines instead of a yard. Oh, and if you drove here, you'll need to park on the street:
"I removed my driveway early on when I moved here because I didn't need space to park five cars. So I took my driveway out and I kept a lot of my driveway to make landscaping features!"
Spencer stacked pieces of the broken driveway to line two ponds. He collects rainwater in a huge tan...
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Host intro: The word "suburbia" conjures up sprawling developments, huge lawns and long commutes. It's not the most eco-friendly arrangement. Jan Spencer lives in the suburbs and he wants to change their reputation. His version of home improvement is making his quarter-acre property as energy-independent as possible. As Ann Dornfeld reports, Spencer calls the process "suburban renewal."
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