Thursday, August 18th at 12:30 PM
Port Townsend Yacht Club, 2503 Washington Street, Port Townsend
Rather than outside energy experts this month’s Energy Lunch program will feature two key speakers on public power each of who is currently a candidate for Commissioner of the Jefferson County Public Utility District (PUD). Each has been among the group of local energy enthusiasts that have made the Energy Lunch operate all these many months and years.
The existence of public power in Jefferson County is particularly important to energy policy, planning and development because it affects or enables most if not all local energy options.
The Jefferson County Energy Lunch Program is very pleased to present in August a special 90 minute educational Forum on Public Power featuring Barney Burke, the incumbent PUD Commissioner, and challenger, Jeff Randall, local community organizer, attorney and renewable energy advocate. Together they are likely the most knowledgeable two people in the county on matters related to the electric power grid, renewable energy systems and state/federal energy regulations and laws.
Those who attend this special Forum on Public Power will be treated to many facts, opportunities, policy positions and insights into the past, present and future of local energy supply and use. After introductory comments from each, Barney and Jeff will respond for about forty minutes to a number of energy questions framed in advance by the wider Energy Lunch audience, following which they will each respond to questions submitted by Energy Lunch attendees.
The special Forum on Public Power will be emceed by Mike Doherty, an energy activist from Port Angeles who is well known to regular attendees of the Jefferson County Energy Lunch Program. Energy Lunch staff has begun soliciting questions that will be among those discussed by Barney and Jeff. The following are some examples:
- Does the recent switch from private power to public power appear to be worth it?
- Can Jefferson County replicate the local prosperity that resulted in energy development in Wildpoldsried Germany?
- Do public power operations have a role in local climate action?
- Are there ways to use more public power for transport and thermal needs?
- Will there be fundamental near term changes to the local power grid?
The Jefferson County Energy Lunch Program is sponsored by Sunshine Propane, Alaska Power & Telephone Company, Huber’s Inn, Power Trip Energy and the Port of Port Townsend.
