Ever feel like some of the biggest national conversations are happening some where else in the country and that no one is listening to how you might feel about important issues?
Well, starting this week, a series of community discussions on how the future of energy is linked to future job and environmental possibilities for the Flathead begins, hoping to remedy some of the conversational isolation.
The “Re-Powering the Flathead for a New Energy Economy” series begins on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Arts & Technology Building large community meeting room on the Flathead Valley Community College campus. All meetings are free of charge. The topic of discussion this week will be “Challenging Choices! Planning to Meet Our Growing Electric Energy Needs.” The series has a long list of sponsors, and the press release describes the first meeting as such:
The presentation will focus on challenging choices that will need to be made to address the fact that Bonneville Power Administration will cap the amount of hydropower that it sells to the Flathead Electric Cooperative in 2011, decreasing the supply of low-cost electricity in the region. There are still many unknowns and utilities face complex challenges regarding electricity resources and demand. Flathead Electric is working independently and with regional energy partners to inform member and policymakers so that we all can be part of the solution.
If that sounds interesting, the sponsors also promise plenty of opportunity for discussion and dialogue.
Following meetings include Nov. 19: “Energy, the Economy and Jobs—Planning for the Future” and Dec. 17: “Greening Public Places; Saving Tax Dollars—Is it working?”
Topics for January through April 2010 will be announced at a later date.