Energy Update #18

October 11, 2005

Dear friend,

I am writing to share some very exciting developments with you. The Institute for Environmental Research and Education has come a long way in just a few short months, and I wanted to share with you some of what has happened.

First of all, we released our study in the end of July, looking at how Vashon Island could indeed be energy-independent, and what they would cost, as well as how it would benefit Vashon. As I reported in my “Energy Update #17” our report showed that if the island were to make the switch, it would save islanders $55 Million and create 30 jobs. Application of this approach to the entire state would create 20,000 jobs. The report was comprehensive, and it analyzed an array of factors, including the projected prices for fossil and renewable energy in the future. We found that If the island's 11,000 people were to switch to all renewable energy, we could pay for all renewable energy generation costs through energy savings. In addition, our report recommended that Vashon create its own utility district, another important step in gaining true energy independence.

After we issued the press release around the state, we received a steady of stream of calls and visitors from people who were excited about our vision. Among them was an amazing number of news reporters!

In the end of July, we were on the front page of our local paper, the Vashon-Maury Beachcomber, and the Vashon Loop, our other island paper, also ran a story. In the Beachcomber, there was an editorial with the headline: "Energy independence: Vashon could do it!" That editorial stated:

"If any community has a shot at becoming energy independent, it's Vashon, and a report financed in part by the Bullitt Foundation says it could be possible to use wind and solar power to do just that within a decade.

Whether it happens depends in part on Vashon Island's willingness to create a Public Utility District in order to raise funds to finance energy efficiencies as well as wind turbines and other projects.

Meanwhile, on July 28th, KING Television ran a story looking at our report and at our Institute. Click here to see that story. And the Associated Press came to Vashon to see our Institute. Their story ran regionally and nationally, including in both the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Seattle P.I.. Click here to see the version that ran in the Bellingham Herald.

We have also already completed an interview with National Public Radio, which should air soon, and have received calls from other outlets, including the New York Times.

We also have been busy meeting with people over the last month. I met with the State Director of U.S. Senator Patty Murray in August, and we will be meeting with U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee in October. I have also met with the Energy Director for Washington State’s Community Trade and Economic Development, the Pacific Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (and industry group), the King County Building Trades, the Puget Sound Industrial Excellence alliance and others. We are building a groundswell to support energy independence.

Like I said in the beginning ... it has been a busy time! We are excited about all of the developments, and are happy that people are paying attention to our study, and to the Institute.

In the meantime, now that we have momentum going, we could use your help! This Institute will play a critical role on Vashon, providing new research and the environmental and energy, encouraging environmental education, creating jobs on the island, and protecting and refurbishing an historic location at the Beall Greenhouses.

But we can't do all of these great things alone. Please go to our site, at www.iere.org, and click on "Donate" to help up continue the great work we are doing on Vashon.

We would love to have your help!

Rita Schenck
Institute for Environmental Research and Education
PO Box 2449
Vashon, WA 98070

Phone 206-463-7430
Fax 206-279-1570
www.iere.org

We invite you to share this note with anyone you believe would be interested. You can subscribe and unsubscribe from the newsletter page: http://iere.org/energy/updates.html