Energizer Edwards Conserves Costly Estate

ABC News’ Raelyn Johnson Reports: Sitting on 102 acres in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, former Sen. John Edwards’, D-N.C., nearly 28,000 square foot compound with a 10,000 square foot home begs the question, ‘Just how much is your energy bill?’

"It’s actually not bad," the environmentally conscious presidential contender said in an interview with CNN.  "It’s about three or four hundred dollars the last one I saw."

In July of 2006, the Edwards family moved into one of the largest homes in Orange County and the Orange County Tax Assessors Office tells ABC News, "As of Jan. 1st 2007, the Edwards home is the highest valued single family residence in Orange County."

The home has yet to be completed and Edwards clarifies that it is the section in which the family is currently living that costs several hundred dollars to power.

"The 10,000 square foot house, which is where we live, is a five star energy rated house which is federal government rated, it’s extraordinarily energy efficient.  We use solar to power part of the energy needs of our house," said Edwards who added, "Elizabeth, myself, my family, we’ve committed to operate this house in a carbon neutral way, which means in addition to using energy-saving devices in the house itself to the extent that cover it, we’re going to purchase carbon credits on the market."

The sprawling Edwards estate has drawn the former Senator some controversy, as many feel that owning a large home conflicts with his quest to lessen the gap between the wealthy and the poor.  Some believe it may be hard for voters to believe his ‘us vs. them’ pitch, when having a home that features a recreation barn conceivably puts him in the category of ‘them.’

In recent weeks, Edwards has been trying to emerge as an environmental champion.  Just last week he announced that his campaign would be "carbon neutral" by purchasing carbon offsets, a type of carbon credit to counteract the carbon emitted while traveling on the campaign trail. 

Said Edwards, "Global warming is an emergency and we can’t wait until the next president is elected to take action."

When charity — or rather energy conservation — is done at home, Edwards hopes it gives him the credibility to call on the American people to do the same.

"We need to ask Americans to be patriotic about things beyond war.  And that includes being willing to conserve to strengthen their country," Edwards concluded.

The 2004 vice presidential nominee lays out his global warming initiative and energy plan Tuesday in Nevada, Iowa (yes, Nevada, Iowa) after a tour of the Iowa Energy Center Biomass Energy Facility.  After a busy day, Edwards chats up a house party in Indianola. 

ABC News cannot confirm, however, whether or not the Edwards campaign’s hotel intends to leave the lights on for them.