Gore Smear Attack Exposed

Misleading information about high energy consumption by the Gores’ Tennessee home was released in late February by a post-office-box front-group in Nashville. CBS News, the AP, and other media quickly refuted the lies in that right-wing smear. The front-group exaggerated the Gores’ annual energy use by 30,000 kwh and said it got its figures from the Nashville Electric Service. Yet NES spokeswoman Laurie Parker said the utility never received a request from the group and never gave it any information. Apparently unknowingly Time, Newsweek and other main stream media and individuals continued to perpetuate the smear.

It is true that the Gores live in a large home in the city of Belle Meade near Nashville, and use more energy than the average American family. As our former Vice President, he has special security needs that require a live-in staff. Both Al and Tipper manage their businesses and charitable efforts from their home.

Over several years an architect has retrofitted the Gores’ home with energy-efficient windows, lighting and other energy saving efforts. For more than two years the architect has prodded the City to amend its zoning code to allow solar panels. The panels will be permitted after April 1, and they will be installed promptly on the Gores’ home.

The Gores live in the East South-Central climate region that has the highest per-household energy usage of any region in the country as reported by CBS News and AP. It is about 50% higher, and is caused by a combination of cold winters and hot, muggy summers. However, due to energy conservation improvements, the Gores’ per-square-foot energy use is 19.1 kwh, less than the region’s average of 19.83 kwh. The 19.43 kwh figure in an above comment is not correct as it was based on the exaggerated amount asserted by the Nashville front group.

Some feel that during the March 21 Senate Committee hearing Sen. James Inhofe was reasonable when he invited Gore to pledge to use no more energy than the average American. Inhofe was purposely trying to distract and embarrass Gore with an impossible request. The average energy usage figure includes apartments, condos, and other multi-family dwellings. There is no way that even medium sized homes in the East South-Central region could use less energy than the average American.

Gore emphasizes several ways to conserve energy and resources, support policies that create good-paying jobs to protect and improve our environment, and elect officials who champion the reduction of global warming.

The future of our planet and the reduction of global warming are serious, complex issues. Al Gore is working hard to get the truth out. We all need to help to improve our discussions and our efforts.

Bob Alexander, Michigan Co-Chair Draft Gore 2008