WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Audio archives of spoken word broadcasts from Community Radio WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill (weru.org)
Producer/Host: Steve Kahl
Engineer: John Greenman
Citizens Climate Lobby solutions for renewable energy incentives
Key Discussion Points
a) renewables policy and incentives
b) Carbon Fee and Dividend
c) climate change
Guest: Peter Monro, Board member, Citizens Climate Lobby
Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Engineer: Amy Browne
Community concerns and opportunities: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are on their way
What is the background on all-electric vehicles? How do they work?
Why is this move to electric vehicles so important to the climate?
How do we know that electricity for electric vehicles is “clean”?
What trends in electric vehicle use are you seeing in Maine?
What led to your program to install 4-6 public charging stations in the Downeast Region in coming months?
How do charging stations work… what equipment is needed?
What is the role of municipal or non-profit hosts? What benefit do they derive from participating?
How does involvement in projects like A Climate to Thrive aid in positive mental health and building a sense of hope?
Guests:
Gordon Beck, A Climate to Thrive, Mount Desert Island
Dennis Kiley, A Climate to Thrive, Mount Desert Island
Scott Vlaun, The Center for Ecology-Based Economy, Western Maine
Producer/Host: Steve Kahl
Engineer: John Greenman
Alternative Energy: Discussion of NGO A Climate to Thrive of Bar Harbor
Key Discussion Points
-Solar farms and PPAs
-National and state solar policies
-Home weatherization
Guest: Gary Friedmann, Chair of the Board of Directors of A Climate to Thrive
Host: Ron Beard, Emeritus Professor, University of Maine
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne
Issue: Community concerns and opportunities
Program Topic: A Climate to Thrive seeks energy independence for Mount Desert Island
Key Discussion Points:
1. A climate to thrive is working on “energy independence” by 2030… what does that mean? What is most compelling about solar energy in the pursuit of energy independence?
2. What are the main elements of your solar work, including Solarize MDI?
3. What is the Community Energy Center at College of the Atlantic, and what projects does it carry out?
4. What are some of the barriers facing community solar initiatives? How are you working to surmount those barriers? A Recent Maine PUC Ruling is negative long-term but provides an incentive for installing solar in 2017.
5. What advice do you have for listeners in other communities?
6. Given your longer term vision of energy independence, what are your mid-term hopes… what would you like to see happening over the next five years.
Guests:
Joe Blotnick, Coordinator, A Climate to Thrive
Gary Friedmann, Chair, A Climate to Thrive Advisory Board, Town Councilor, Bar Harbor
Anna Demeo, College of the Atlantic, Director of Energy Education and Management