To the Editor:
We would like to invite the Oberlin community to participate in a public forum sponsored by the Oberlin Sustainable Energy Project (OSEP) to discuss the development of a sustainable energy program for the city of Oberlin.
There are some people who insist that addressing environmental problems can only be done at the expense of the economy. Numerous communities across the country are demonstrating that, to the contrary, environmental protection can actually enhance the local economy. Oberlin is about to become one of those communities. By developing a comprehensive sustainable energy strategy that combines clean renewable energy production with greater energy efficiency, we can clean up our environment, protect our health and save money in the process.
Presently, the state of Ohio leads the country in the production of sulfur dioxide which contributes to acid rain, is second in the production of carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming, and Cleveland has the 10th highest national death rate linked to particulate pollution.
Almost 3/4 of the sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere and 1/3 of all particulate pollution and carbon dioxide comes from utilities. Even though Oberlin is not as directly affected by these problems, the combustion of coal which provides Oberlin with its electricity affects the air quality and health of this region.
In addition to these environmental and health concerns, it is estimated that between 70-80 cents of every dollar spent on energy immediately leaves the local economy. A comprehensive energy strategy for the City of Oberlin will help to plug up the leaks and keep energy dollars circulating in the local economy. In Osage, Iowa, for example, an energy efficiency program kept $1 million in the local economy each year which amounted to an annual economic stimulus of $1000 per household.
The forum will feature three presenters who have experience with renewable energy development in other communities. Blair Swezey from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will speak on opportunities for renewable energy technologies in Oberlin, Ed Holt from Ed Holt and Associates will discuss how to market green power, and Steve Smiley, from Bay Energy Services, will talk about Travers City Power and Light Company's Experience with Wind Power. The forum has been organized by the Center for Clean Air Policy and the Campaign for an Energy Efficient Ohio, who will be helping to make Oberlin a model for clean energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable economic development.
Copyright © 1996, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 125, Number 6; October 11, 1996
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