In November our Audubon chapter hosted a presentation by Dr. Terry Root on Climate Change. The consequences of global warming which we are experiencing now and predictions for the future left us concerned if enough is being done to slow the trajectory that we are on. Can our actions make a difference? How do we achieve the goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035? 

The good news is that the energy grid is undergoing a massive transformation from technologies that have historically powered modern life to a system that will also be increasingly clean and sustainable. A couple of promising avenues in development are distributed energy resources (DERs) and virtual power plants (VPPs).  Distributed energy resources are things like solar panels and batteries, which supply electricity within the communities they are in, while also increasing resilience because there are less transmission lines needed to import the energy. A virtual power plant will congregate attributes and resources of DERs, while demanding side technologies (electric vehicles, smart appliances, etc), and energy efficiency measures to help meet energy demand placed on the electric grid.

With us to explain these concepts at our January meeting will be Holly Metzler, now serving her second term on the LaPlata Electric Association Board Of Directors. Metzler received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Fort Lewis College, and in 2018 completed her Master of Science in Environmental Policy from University of Denver. She has lived most of her life in Pagosa Springs, where currently she and her husband are local business owners.

The public is invited to join us at this meeting.   We meet at 6 PM for socializing with a short business meeting followed by the presentation starting at 6:30.   Please enter through the side door off the parking lot, or let us know to open the main door for handicap entry.  In appreciation for our meeting space, we welcome donations of non-perishable food for the church food bank. For those unable to join us in person, use the following link to view the presentation on Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86126207702?pwd=8endilw6PRlhtWprnmpoXlW77DaiD6.1

Meeting ID: 861 2620 7702
Passcode: 921620

—

One tap mobile
+17193594580,,86126207702#,,,,*921620# US
+16694449171,,86126207702#,,,,*921620# US

—

Dial by your location
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US
• +1 507 473 4847 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 861 2620 7702
Passcode: 921620

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kc91uLYY2