FW: Our Future Our Power Community Energy Forum Oct 1!
Odell, John W.
In case any of you are interested and had not already received – see below and attached.
John
From: Michelle Wenderlich [mailto:michel...@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2016 8:18 PM
To: Michelle Wenderlich
Subject: Our Future Our Power Community Energy Forum Oct 1!
Hello!
I wanted to let you know about an event coming up very soon, the Our Future Our Power Community Energy Forum on Oct 1 from 1-5 at Worcester Academy! The goal of this event is to be accessible and fun to all community members (we'll have translation in Spanish, Vietnamese and Arabic, light food, and child care!) to have a forum where people can find out how to save/earn money towards community wealth while switching to local renewable energy, building independence from energy utilities and connecting with other community members doing similar work. We'll have a series of stations addressing community solar, energy efficiency programs, microgrids and resistance to fracked gas pipelines that make these issues easily understandable using fun activities. There will then be time to join with others to see if you're interested in getting more involved or figuring out how to retrofit or solarize your home or (also rented) apartment.
Attached (if you can see them; otherwise hit me up!) are flyers in 3 languages, and an info sheet which can be printed and spread around via email or put up wherever you want to spread the word. That'd be super helpful because the organizing group is all volunteer and outreach is the most time intensive!
There's some more information below; let me know if you have any questions/concerns/ideas, or want to get more involved.
It'd also be super helpful to either email me back and let me know you'd like to come (we'll phone you a reminder then :)), and, please spread the word!!
Onward : )
Michelle Wenderlich
OUR FUTURE, OUR POWER!
Saturday, Oct. 1 from 1p-5p
Worcester Academy
at The Megaron
81 Providence St
Worcester MA 01604
CHILDCARE AVAILABLE (get in touch) Light food provided Free Registration at http://www.worcestersagealliance.org
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/178298105914407/
Where we get our energy from is up for grabs...
Why should folks in Worcester care about that? Well, there’s a whole lot at stake.
If utility companies have it their way, we’d be on the hook for billions of dollars for new gas pipelines, not to mention the thousands of leaks in their existing pipes that we’re already paying for.
Also, solar panels, small wind turbines, battery storage and other clean energy technologies are becoming very attractive to residents and businesses, because their costs are dropping fast as their performance improves.
Join your neighbors for a fun afternoon to discuss these important changes and decide together how to get the most benefit for our neighborhoods.
An organized community is a powerful one!
Some of the ideas we’ll be exploring:
Community shared solar 80% of MA residents can’t install solar on their roof, maybe because it angles the wrong way or because they rent. But they can still get the benefits of solar. One way is CSS, where anyone can buy a share of a local solar farm project and get credited for it by the utility. Come find out how!
Energy efficiency Great incentives are available from the state energy efficiency program for homeowners, businesses and now even renters, because regular folks organized to demand them. Learn how you can tap into these savings!
Microgrids As superstorms, heat waves and other disasters increase with climate disruption, it is essential to prepare by ensuring our basic needs can be met in emergencies. An entire Worcester neighborhood is building its own microgrid that connects a hospital, apartment buildings, senior housing and more. Maybe you can do the same!
And resistance to fracking gas pipelines and repair of existing infrastructure
The Worcester Community Energy Alliance Is a network of local residents and grassroots groups together building a clean energy future that respects workers and the planet.
We know there’s a lot wrong with how we do things now, but we’re finding good alternatives that strengthen our communities and also
keep our dollars in the area. Join us!
Groups involved so far:
Co-op Power, Worcester Roots, Stone Soup, 350 of Central Mass, Dismas House, Clean Water Action, Indigenous Peoples Network, Worcester Academy, Southeast Asian Coalition, Neighbor to Neighbor
Contact: Jeuji 774-303-2157 or Luz 508-425-1203
