Celebs Face Off in Green Arms Race

It could only happen in California—a pair of celebrity neighbors, actor Ed Begley Jr. and "Science Guy" Bill Nye, are involved in a contest of environmental one-upsmanship, the AP reports. Since Nye moved onto Begley’s block in Studio City 2 years ago, the two have been competing to see whose house can leave a smaller carbon footprint.

Both have solar panels, but Nye has newer models integrated into a system that shows when he is making surplus power. Begley has an Astroturf lawn, cooks outside in a solar stove, and lures pests away with deadly beer, not pesticides. Begley characterized the rivalry as "friendly, humorous,” but remained preoccupied with Nye’s house: "He has these great copper rain gutters that I covet." (More California stories.)