The Anacortes Energy Forum report is available here.

Anacortes Energy Forum Report

March 26, 7 PM, at the Camano Multipurpose Center, 141 N. East Camano Dr., Camano Island.

Presenter Mike Nelson will cover residential solar technology, system design for the Northwest, net-metering and the economics of going solar.  Mr. Nelson is a nationally recognized solar energy proponent who has received several awards from the US Dept. of Energy for his outstanding work in the field.  He was the founding Board member and Manager of Western Sun Cooperative which develops solar electric systems for residential and commercial use.  He is also the founding President of the Washington State Chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. Mr. Nelson has pioneered solar projects in Washington, California, Nevada and the South Pacific.

Every home has potential areas to reduce energy usage and save money.  Check this simple list of energy conservation/efficiency measures to see what you can do right now.

Home Energy Checklist

Raise your energy IQ and reduce the costs to yourself and the planet.  Energy audit presentations start at the top of each hour.  Information booths and expert advice also available at this free workshop on Saturday, Jan. 26, 10AM-2PM, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St.  Come any time, but come! Watt can you lose?

Climate change and peak oil are two sides of the same coin: the need for our society to transition from fossil fuel dependency to sustainable forms of energy. Those interested in peak oil may want to read “Another Nail in the Coffin in the Case Against Peak Oil,” Nov. 2007, by Matthew Simmons, one of the world’s leading experts on peak oil and a former energy advisor to President Bush. The report is available at http://www.simmonsco-intl.com/files/Another%20Nail%20in%20the%20Coffin.pdf

Thursday, Jan. 31, 6:30-9:15 PM, at the Fidalgo Center, 22nd and I St., Anacortes. As demands for energy escalate in the U.S. and worldwide, it’s time to face the difficult choices that must be made to ensure a sustainable future. “The Energy Problem: Choices for an Uncertain Future” is co-sponsored by the Anacortes American, AAUW – Anacortes Chapter, Madrona Center for the Arts, Kiwanis Noon Club, Soroptimist Int’l of Anacortes, and Skagit Beat the Heat. We invite you to participate in a civil, moderated public discussion centered around three approaches to the energy problem: 1) Reduce our dependence on foreign energy; 2) Get out of the fossil-fuel predicament; 3) Reduce our demand for energy. Kay Haaland of WSU Extension and Debra Lancaster of WSU Learning Center will be the moderators. For more information, call 360-416-7605 or 360-428-4270.