I read what I consider positive news regarding construction companies taking some responsibility in contributing to more environmentally friendly building practices. This is only a small step, but any progress in the control of our massive energy consumption and in a contribution to one piece of a necessary solution, is welcome news. This is a large housing construction company and if one company can help lead the way, hopefully others will see the possibilities and the energy that can be saved, and follow suit.

The Lennar Corporation, the builders of the homes, in conjunction with Sun Power, and as a part of California's star power initiative, is building 77 homes in the upscale Milano housing development of Danville, California. These homes will run in the 1.3 to 1.5 million dollar price range. After researching the idea, the company made a decision to include energy systems in the San Francisco Bay Area homes they build and hope that some of the builders of the more than 150,000 new homes built in California each year, will follow suit and include similar offers in their future construction.

The houses will have solar panels on the roof, to generate electricity in the homes. Each house will also have an interactive digital electrical system which allows them to visually monitor their monthly power usage. Homeowners will receive a 2,000 dollar federal tax credit for having this solar energy system installed in their homes.

The builders are able to include this in the price of the house at an unstated, but estimated 12,000 to 15,000 dollars per unit for a 2.3 kilowatt system. The cost for anyone else to install this type of system on their own home individually, would be about 20,000 dollars, but the builders are able to get it cheaper due to scale and volume reductions that make it more affordable.

Pacific Gas & Electric company, which provides power to the area, said that if the owners of the homes create more power than they use, they don't receive cash back, but will get a power credit on their bill that can be used at times when the solar panels are not creating energy, for instance, at night. There is a 5.00 dollar connection fee charged in order for the homeowner to begin using solar energy.

The same company is planning on installing these energy saving features on 650 new homes in Roseville, California at two other developments they are building, northeast of San Francisco.

Syracuse, New York is home to some of the most interesting “to do’s” in all of New York. Syracuse, New York may have the most things to do outside of New York City. If you want to make the most of your day then you need to head on up to MOST in Syracuse, New York. A day spent at the Museum of Science and Technology will open your eyes to the planet, the curiosity of science and what is inside your heart, literally.

The Museum of Science and Technology is a great place for children and adults to spend a day. The IMAX screen at MOST runs every day with amazing films. The current feature at the Museum of Science and Technology is Mystic India: A Journey of Inspiration. Mystic India visits India’s terrain and architecture while a young boy goes on a spiritual quest. Other movies at MOST are Ring of Fire about volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean and The Human Body which takes you under our collective skin to see the power of the heart. IMAX is a visually stunning experience that is sure to mesmerize even the most cynical adult.

The Museum of Science and Technology has amazing exhibits to walk through on your visit. The Life Sciences exhibit will take you on a walk through a larger than life model of the human heart. The Discovery Cave at the Museum of Science and Technology will take visitors through a realistic cave complete with waterfall, giant media globe and local geological science. The Science Playhouse at MOST is five full floors of fun with a sound tube, bridges and foam ball fountain with trajectory devices. The newest exhibition at MOST is Technotown which walks you through an audio-kinetic experience designed by George Rhoads and created by Bob McGuire that will make you feel as if you are in a pinball machine. The Telecommunications Lab at MOST will take visitors on a lesson about Morse code, computers and radio. Finally the Planetarium at the Museum of Science and Technology will turn day into night with educational experiences on the cosmos above.

The Museum of Science and Technology: MOST is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm Wednesday through Sunday with admission ranging from $2.00 to $11.00 for adult packages, $2.00 to $9.00 for children and seniors packages. IMAX movies at MOST will run until 9:00pm on Saturday evenings.