Brad's second segment on Today

Brad Pitt’s second segment on The Today Show ran this morning. The interview clip can be seen on MSNBC.

He says that his dream is to make energy bills disappear and that it’s not as outlandish as it sounds (though the big heads of energy corporations might be upset by that!).

He explained to Ann Curry on Today that the houses he’s helping to have built in New Orleans are a big step towards this dream based on the green nature of the buildings.

“The idea that we pay utility bills is absolutely unnecessary,” he said as he led a tour of what will be an affordable house in the city’s devastated Ninth Ward. “I mean, there’s the sun. Feel the breeze that’s been created here. And we got water right out there,” he said, gesturing out an opening in the wall that will be a window.

“Any one of these can be harnessed,” he continued. “And we can integrate ourselves into that ecosystem, and not only power our houses, but actually produce energy for other parts of the city.”

The housing project includes five houses and 18 apartments and is nearly complete. When it’s time to fill the homes, priority will be given to previous residents of the Ninth Ward who wish to return.

Although the homes aren’t completely able to function off traditional energy, Brad says that a family living in one of the new homes should be able to save 75% on their normal energy bills. Let me say, that would be nice!

The homes all have solar panels set in the best spot to receive maximum sun exposure, lighting comes via compact fluorescent bulbs, every appliance is Energy Star compliant, and the water heaters have no holding tank so “you are not heating massive amounts of water for 24 hours a day”. As well, a terrace on the second floor will be planted with grass for insulation and rainwater will be filtered for use in flushing toilets and to water landscaping, which will cut water bills by about half.

The man has a vision and it’s so great to see it being implemented. I hope to hear more about the homes and how they do once people start moving into them. Very exciting!