Renewable Energy Panel - Saturday, November 11th, 2007 in Mount Airy Town Hall
Tim delivers the opening remarks
Roscoe nails the issue right on the head - "Energy is the biggest challenge
of the 21st century"
Councilman Nelson helps Congressman Bartlett field questions after his
riveting and challenging talk
Rick Lank, moderator, introduces the panel and sets the discussion
The Panel, from left to right: Tim Richards, Co-director of Citizens
for a Green Mount Airy; Rebecca Rush, President of Grey-Goes-Green;
Jay Mason, Allegheny Energy; Gary Nelson, Town Councilman; Kai Hagen,
Frederick County Commissioner; David Cronin from the Maryland Energy
Administration; Tom Williams, President of Freedom Energy Solutions
We conducted an informal survey of the audience to see what the top
priorities were with regard to issues of sustainability. The areas of
concern in order of priority were:
1. CONSERVATION/REDUCTION OF ENERGY DEMAND
This included improving home and business building efficiency, better
management of peak power demand, and improving water conservation.
People were interested at looking more closely at how a local energy
co-operative could aid in buying reliable power at a better rate or
from a supplier that represents that the power is generated from a renewable
source.
2. ENERGY PRODUCTION - LOCALLY PRODUCED RENEWABLES
This included big votes for solar and wind turbine generation of electricity
locally. Also of interest here was a desire to know more about net metering
(selling power back into the grid) and how to live off-of-the-grid.
3. INCREASING GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL INCENTIVES to add Renewable Energy
and/or to increase Energy Efficiency (with windows, caulking, etc.)
Interest in federal tax incentives and state grant programs for individuals
was strong.
4. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
This combines an interest in biofuels, such as switchgrass and the production
of ethanol, with local agricultural concerns, such as purchasing produce
locally when in season and looking into co-op models for buying fresh
foods.
As a group of related topics, the agricultural portion of the survey
attracted a vote comparable to the interest in renewable energy.
5. EMERGENCY PREPARATION ISSUES / ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
An appreciable interest was expressed in looking at renewable energy
production and other pro-active community activities as part of an emergency
preparation plan for the Town. That includes having a renewable energy
backup system and/or generators to provide power for essential services
in case the Grid goes down.
All surveys had 23 separate categories and respondents were permitted to check multiple choices - indicating areas of interest and concern that they would like to see United for a Sustainable Maryland address in the future -- most attendees indicated a great willingness to tackle these issues locally, interested in looking at ways to do so.
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