From: Rita Schenck [rita@iere.org]
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 4:19 PM
Subject: Energy Update #8

Dear Friends

It is a new year-- and one where we hope to make some real progress towards sustainable energy here on Vashon Island.

Over the Christmas season, we promoted the use of green tags as an appropriate gift/stocking stuffer. We don't yet know how many green tags were purchased, but will be working with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to get figures soon. Green tags are a good way to displace the impacts of electricity generation by supporting wind and solar power already in operation. They can be purchased at www.b-e-f.org or at http://www.pse.com/yourhome/greenpower/give_form.html for those who live in the PSE service area.

We are working with both these groups to get a demonstration of solar power in a public space on Vashon Island, possibly at the Village Green in the center of town.

We also have made arrangements with Mike Nelson, the president of Western Sun, to give a lecture on grid-connected solar systems. The talk will be held at the Land Trust Building on the evening of February 20th. More details will be forthcoming. Western Sun is a solar energy purchasing cooperative that helps its members get low cost solar systems through increased purchasing power. You can learn more about them at http://www.westernsun.org/WebServer/Documents/WSUNhome.html.

We are hoping to improve energy conservation on the island. We recently completed an analysis that shows that we could reduce household energy use on the island by about 20% without making any significant life style changes, and without spending money on things that have no payback. We would have to make upgrades in weatherization and in appliances in the home to get there.

Of course, we are still interested in doing something about the use of fossil fuels in cars. We have not been able to get our hands on any fuel cell vehicles, but we are investigating getting some examples of EV1's as GM's programs in California and Arizona close down. The University of Washington is interested in working with us on this.

We are beginning to gather the information about the different potential corporate approaches to renewable energy generation for the island-- coops, public utility districts and private ownership are all potential ways we can institutionalize our renewable energy here.

The media is showing some interest -- at all levels. Over the last month our work has been covered by the Tacoma News Tribune and KEXP, a Seattle-based public radio station. We've also been interviewed by the Christian Science Monitor, and we appeared in the high school newspaper!

We are work to work with DOE and NREL to develop a small renewables electric grid on the island-- a windmill, solar cells and biomass-based system that will permit us to study how a grid of renewables can work together. PSE is supportive of this project, but we have not yet worked out the details. The first detail is that we will have to obtain a site, and we are seeking a land donation to accomplish that.

We recently received the news that our grant proposal with the Seattle Foundation was turned down. However, they have offered to share our proposal with other funders in the Seattle area, so we are hoping that another funder will be willing to support our efforts toward sustainable energy. We are also seeking funding elsewhere.

We invite you to share this note with anyone you believe would be interested. We will gladly add the names of anyone who requests it to this mail list. Likewise, if you wish to be removed, send me a note and I'll remove your name.

Rita Schenck
Institute for Environmental Research and Education
P.O. Box 2449
Vashon, WA 98070

206-463-7430
206-279-1570 (f)
http://www.iere.org