Your Voice is Needed on Vermont's Energy Future

by Dan Sullivan [courtesy of Blog for America]

At CSDFA's recent monthly meeting, Chris Williams of Citizen's Action Network, gave a good update on why the Vermont Yankee license should not be renewed and Sean Sarah, of VPIRG,  talked to realistic alternatives. The thing that stood out to me was the practicality of wind power. Sean mentioned that the Sheffield wind project was recently approved and that it would take only 5-10 Sheffields to provide 20% of Vermont's electrical needs. This is very doable by 2012 and would be cost competitive, particularly with unsubsidized sources of power. This, along with some not particularly painful energy efficiency steps would go a long way towards replacing Vermont Yankee's output.

As you probably know, when Douglas vetoed the Legislature's energy bill he asked the Public Service Board to look into the matter. The PSB has set up several workshops around the state to get input. (See the note below for details.) In his "What can you do" chart Sean mentioned that attending one of these workshops is a priority. The idea is to get enough like-minded individuals to attend to make sure that the output of these workshops is not a rubber stamp of Douglas' pro - Vermont Yankee position. Sean said you might not have to register to attend but to vote (essential) you do need to do so. Chris and Marcella have already registered for the Rutland workshop and I plan to do so for the one in S. Burlington on the 17th. I think that, politically, it is very important that we be heard at these workshops.

Dan Sullivan

This fall the Department of Public Service will host five community workshops throughout the state to gather citizen input for the State and its electric utilities as they make decisions about Vermont's energy future. The Workshops are free but registration is required.

All workshops will begin at 5:30 p.m. with light dinner fare. The program begins at 6 p.m. and ends around 10. The workshops will include a presentation on our energy future, small group facilitated discussions, a question and answer session, keypad polling to register your preferences and opinions, and an open forum to express any further thoughts. More information is available at http://www.vermontsenergyfuture.info/

We invite you to attend the workshop closest to you. To ensure broad and diverse participation from across the state, participants may only register for one workshop. The workshops will be held at the following locations:

Oct. 3, 2007 St. Johnsbury Elementary School
Oct. 17, 2007 South Burlington High School
Oct. 18, 2007 Montpelier Elks Club, Montpelier, VT
Oct. 29, 2007 Dean Technical Center, Springfield, VT
Oct. 30, 2007 Rutland Intermediate School, Rutland, VT

We look forward to your help. Again, to register go to http://www.raabassociates.org/WebComponents/vtsignup/welcome.htm

Questions? Email Drew Hudson at drew@vpirg.org or call VPIRG at 802-223-8421 x4787.