JJ McCoy,Senior Policy Associate, NW Energy Coalition, Seattle WA
Thursday December 15th at 12:30 PM, Port Townsend Yacht Club
Our focus this month will be on the benefits derived by our public power utility from using all (100%) of this locally collected solar energy to replace fossil fuels that are used in cars, trucks buses and boats in new electric vehicles or vessels (EVs) that provide the same local transportation needs. There is no burden on the utility to purchase this solar power and utility power is used to “fill-in” the daily and seasonal intermittency of the sun.
While such “transportation electrification” can go a long way toward decarbonization of local energy use and definitely contributes to local energy resilience in the event of a natural disaster or economic energy shock, the primary benefit is economic: i) electron-mileage costs a lot less than fossil-mileage, ii) EVs are far cheaper to maintain than gasoline and diesel vehicles (or vessels), and iii) the huge power load created by electric transport can convert the negative public power effects of large Community Solar installations into a new benefit creating local prosperity that is reflected in lower electric power rates for all.
Our key speaker this month understands this third economic benefit than most since he has extensive personal experience with EV use and EV legislation as well as professional responsibility for power utility economics. He is conversant with utility opportunities presented by new electric loads – such as those created by EV use – in countering the negative economic effects of purchasing increased amounts of locally generated solar power.
The December 2016 Key Speaker is JJ McCoy, Senior Policy Associate with responsibility for energy efficiency and building codes at the NW Energy Coalition in Seattle. The NW Energy Coalition is an alliance of about 100 environmental , civic and human service organizations, progressive utilities and businesses in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia that promotes development of renewable energy and energy conservation, consumer protection, low-income energy assistance, and fish and wildlife restoration on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Mr. McCoy drives and EV and is the legislative coordinator for the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association.
Mr. McCoy’s presentation will cover i) the full scope of transportation electrification; ii) the resulting downward pressure on electric rates; iii) energy waste associated with fossil-fueled transportation; iv) local economic benefits from new electric transport; v) related emission reductions; vi) power utility policies on transportation electrification in other states.
The key speaker this month is for all those in Jefferson County interested in lower electric rates, Community Solar developments, EV use and local prosperity.
The Jefferson County Energy Lunch Program is a activity of the new Jefferson County Energy LLC and is sponsored by Sunshine Propane, Alaska Power & Telephone Company, Huber’s Inn, Port Townsend Media, Power Trip Energy, and the Port of Port Townsend. See earlier Key Speaker videos at: http://porttownsendmedia.com//energy/Energy_Presentations.php
