interfacing with want to get anything done, you have to Troy Von Otnott, South Coast Solar,
politicians and understand how to function inside the LLC, 733 St. Joseph St., New Orleans,
working on political system.” LA; 504-529-7869;
public policy is- A self-described “half capitalist, SouthCoastSolar.com.
sues. The lively half environmentalist,” Von Otnott
discussions and sells solar products and avidly pro- As we begin a new decade, let us see
debates sparked motes the renewable energy business new opportunities to take fresh action
his curiosity via his New Orleans-based South on the issues we are most passionate
about the po- Coast Solar Company. A longtime po- about. With our collective vision and
litical process litical activist for clean energy, he has potential, we can go far in meeting
and eventu- been actively involved with his state’s today’s challenges and making the
Troy Von Otnott
ally led him to development of its renewable energy type of impact that Robert Kennedy
visit the halls industry. envisioned in 1996: “Each time a
of power in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Von Otnott speaks monthly to person stands up for an ideal, or acts
and Washington, D.C., for a firsthand groups around the state, encourag- to improve the lot of others, or strikes
understanding of how a democracy ing his audiences to engage in the out against injustice, he or she sends
works. He remarks: “Although we live political process by demanding that forth a tiny ripple of hope. And cross-
in a free enterprise society, govern- sustainable business practices become ing each other from a million different
ment still controls how we function the cornerstone of Louisiana public centers of energy and daring, those
in life, particularly from a business policy. “Citizens must learn to hold ripples build a current that can sweep
standpoint.” their political candidates accountable down the mightiest of walls of oppres-
In his native city, politics is and let them know that renewable sion and resistance.”
considered a contact sport, vigorously energy is an important industry that
discussed around dinner tables. “We can generate the kind of jobs that Linda Sechrist is a freelance writer and
play for keeps,” explains Von Otnott, can’t be exported,” he advises. In the the editor of Natural Awakenings’ flag-
“and unlike other larger regional cit- end, he reflects, support for renewable ship magazine in Southwest Florida.
ies, the business community doesn’t energies supports the betterment of Connect via 239-434-9392.
run this city, the politicians do. If you mankind.
Pr i n t e d o n re c y c l e d Pa P e r t o Pr o t e c t t h e en v i r o n m e n t
March 2010 27
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