Brad Pitt Attends Clinton Global Initiative To Talk New Orleans (PHOTOS)

(AP Text, Scroll for Photos)
NEW YORK - The average electric bill for one of the energy-efficient homes built in New Orleans by Brad Pitt's Make It Right foundation is $35 a month, the actor said Thursday during an update on the project at the Clinton Global Initiative.

The cost of building the homes also is dropping. And by the time all 150 promised homes are completed, the cost will be comparable to standard buildings, Pitt said.

"I don't know how we build any other way anywhere else," he said. "We can no longer tell ourselves that implementing this technology is too complex a problem because it's just been proven on this little spot on the map."

Pitt started the foundation in 2007. The program focuses home construction in a section of New Orleans heavily damaged when Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005. The homes are being built with features including rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient appliances to help reduce electricity consumption.

The Clinton Global Initiative, an annual event started by former President Bill Clinton, brings together the public and private sector to discuss solutions to problems in four areas -- climate change, poverty, global health and education.

PHOTOS:

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Comments

[bokiluis]

Gorgeous man both inside and so obviously outside! Stunning!

President Obama 2008-2016,

President Pitt 2016- 2024

[Ohsnap]

If Reagan can become president, why can't Pitt? Not that the Dems ever had problem winning the women's vote!

[Debra Evans]

Good on Bono, Jessica Alba, Brad Pitt, Calvin Klein and Queen Rania for doing something positive for society. They could have used their high profile status for things like getting photographed without underwear on but instead they bring attention to worth causes.

Public service takes many forms. Supporting the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina with personal investments is their version of it.

[happycat]

I just love how some people won't allow criticism of Bill Clinton. While he has done some great things post presidency, he is still a deeply flawed human being.

[rzan1]

I guess that is the talent he has, to make some of us forget his past transgressions. I read an article recently about Monica, and she is still carrying the stigma of the "affair," while he gets to traipse around the world being a hero. You are right happycat.

[happycat]

Monica can go to the London School of economics for an advanced degree, but she still cannot get a job. It is pretty sad.

[Elrancho2]

And I suppose none of the rest of us are flawed...?

[Jebedella Johnson]

Girl, stop your flirtin' and get thee to a mirror! HappyCat's point flew by you so fast, your wig's on backward.

[buckbuck11]

Wealth and fame can be earned or inherited. I don't think all the wealthy are necessarily evil nor are all the poor necessarily lazy. Wealth and fame can be used for altruism, self-indulgence or for malevolence. It used to be that wealthy people understood that wealth brought responsibility. They funded public institutions like theaters, museums, libraries, opera companies and other cultural institutions. The wealthy today, unfortunately, seem to prefer to spend their wealth on "think tanks" to fund propaganda to help them continue to acquire wealth. Brad Pitt is doing good for others with his wealth and fame. Would that Wall Street Robber Barons would use their ill-gotten gains to do a fraction of the good that this one Hollywood actor has done. Harsh on Brad Pitt all you want, he can look himself in the mirror and see a man of integrity and character.

[k6007]

Hear, hear!

[SaraNader]

"Brad Pitt laughs, scratches his beard, talks New Orleans."

Wow, I'm just exactly like Brad Pitt. I do all three of those things on a fairly regular basis.

[joependleton]

Thanks for sharing, ma'am.

[k6007]

lol

[epiphany1234]

To everybody complaining about the 35 rooms, could it be possible that they don't use electricity in all 35 rooms at once?....t­hat maybe they use it in the 6, 7, 8 or 9 rooms a family of 8 might reasonably use at a given time? Any chance of that?

[jessicajuliette]

thank you, absolutely right, like people were going off about how big Al Gore' house was, they never said they lived in a broom closet.
really admire Brad and Bill....th­ey really do give back, not just lip service..i am not ususally enamored of celebrities at all for the most part, but these two? oh yeah....

[Jebedella Johnson]

If 6, 7, 8 [still counting!!!!], 9 rooms is all they need, then boy, did they get ripped off! Realtors!

[StacyJ]

They probably needed 35 rooms so Brad would have a place to hide when Angelina is in a bad mood. I've heard they fight a lot .

[Jebedella Johnson]

Hobbies are fun.

[epiphany1234]

Agree. He should start collecting classic cars or master art works.....­.precious gems...the possibilities are endless. They should also consider collecting a few yachts...a­nchor one in each part of the world they happen to be travelling to at any given time. They're missing out on a whole lot of conspicuous consumption seems to me......wa­sting their fortune...­.!

[Jebedella Johnson]

Or. . .they could always take up collectin' children to deflect any criticism of their lavish, peripatetic lifestyle and also to reinforce the de lusions of ticket-buying naifs like you.

[smoochie]

Always something to complain about. >sigh<

At least he's involved. Nobody scrutinizes you after your measly $20 contribution to whatever cause, right? Don't bite the hand, be grateful someone's concerned.­... you basterds.

[raven119]

Brad Pitt scratches beard. Jon Gosselin smokes a cigarette. Great headline writing. Sterling journalism. Can't wait for Bruce Willis takes a dump.

[HC4BO]

What an inglorious basterd ...

[epiphany1234]

And what city are YOU rebuilding?

[andj]

okay thats good Bradley - but how much is your electricty bill in your 50 bedroom house in France?

[coveark]

sour puss

[andj]

ha ha ha -

So your so called carbon footprint doesnot matter if you are a celebrity or politician. It only matters for the poor and middle classes.

If you are rich and famous you can lecture others

[MaggieDoe]

It is35 ROOMS dear. Or can you just nor read for the last year.

[lioness39]

That's still a lot of space to heat or cool.

[cinnamonlady]

35 rooms times what? 4, 5, 6, 7 mansions/chateaus, dear? Not to mention Brangie's private jets.

Andj raises a good question. Just imagine Brangie's carbon footprint.

[lioness39]

That is a very valid point.

[epiphany1234]

Maybe you might feel better if he were NOT rebuilding homes for the poor in NOLA.

Feel better now???

[TJC]

What he is doing is soooo refreshing in comparison to ohers tearing this country apart that it makes me tear up. I am going to donate to his foundation. I know that he does not do it for the attention. He has always been reflective and he has always made sure his activities are mature, well thought out and selfless. Angelina is the same.

[coveark]

I agree

[MedinaM]

While it is great what he is doing, in some ways it's truly unfair. It's unfair that the organizations celebrities either create or are affiliated with get more attention which can mean they'll get more money. There are many, many wonderful organizations out there that cannot help as many people as they'd like, because of the lack of funding. However, if a celebrity jumps all board then people are all ears? That's not fair. And why is it that celebrities get a free pass to lobby their organization to Washington, yet us regular folks have to do so much more work just to get local recognition. Like I said, yes it's a great thing what he's doing, but it's completely not fair that other great organizations get the shaft simply because they don't have the rich and famous on their team.

[Catch22isms]

Brad Pitt is setting an incredible example for the Hollywood elite (all of us, actually) that have the means and the time to make things like this happen. Being wealthy affords you the luxury of not having to hold down a steady job - it's nice to see he takes advantage of that and dedicates some of that time towards helping those in need. Does Habitat for Humanity get this kind of coverage?

[coveark]

Actually, Habitat does get a lot of coverage..­......and rightfully so........­...maybe not on huffpost but on TV and in the news at least in my area. I buy from their outlet when it is a possibility they have something I want or need. It is a truly admirable program.

And yes, Brad is setting a very good example.

[zell]

Thank you, Brad, for your commitment for helping the people of New Orleans...­..........­May the Lord continue to bless you and your family....­....Now, if we only had other actors/ent­ertainers/­sports figures that were like Brad......­......Brad is a good man.......­.We love you, Brad......­......