Discussion notes from Sustainable West Seattle’s “Open Space” meeting on November 17, 2007

Local Energy discussion!

The local energy discussion focused first on what local energy meant to us then discussed some of the ideas in more detail and finally focused on some of the topics that we saw had potential to become SWS projects and some ideas on kicking them off.

General ideas that were brought out were:

Efficiency
Renewables, including community based renewables
Electric cars
Demonstration projects and permanent informational displays
Weatherization and comfort
New technologies such as thin film solar
Sharing of ideas, information, and technology in ways that are easily adopted
Engaging younger people
Green Collar jobs
Block by block energy reduction contest(s)
Translating information into various languages and doing effective outreach to those who aren’t accustomed to or likely to come to SWS events
Peer to peer education
Home energy audits
Celebrating creativity

Community based renewables was given a bit of time as we discussed ideas of having a shared buy-in solar or wind installation rather than having individual projects on individual lots. Ideas included using common spaces (such as P patches) to house installations and having ways for people to purchase shares in a project making it much more approachable to the average individual. An example was cited of a photovoltaic installation in eastern Washington where individuals can buy additional panels to add to an established infrastructure. There seemed to be some interest in having SWS look into a community based renewables project a bit further.

There was some discussion of having a demonstration area where various energy technologies would be available for touring and we learned that something along those lines is being planned for the new High Point Community Center. There are likely opportunities to volunteer on that project. We also learned that there are already two City Light photovoltaic demos currently operating in West Seattle: one at Croft Place co-housing and one at Gatewood Elementary.

The thread that looked most promising as a project that would have a strong positive impact, be fairly affordable (or even lucrative) for the average resident, and help to build community and neighborhood cohesion was the idea of having neighborhood competitions to lower energy use. Apparently Sustainable Ballard is doing a block-by-block energy challenge and we could either use their model or be inspired by it and create our own.

Initiating a neighborhood challenge would potentially have many positive effects:
Giving neighbors a good opportunity to share knowledge and resources and thus build community.
Reducing overall energy use.
Potentially having cost savings on weatherization by sharing skills and buying in bulk.
Educating volunteer energy auditors who could help neighbors learn how to make their homes more comfortable and cheaper to operate.
And probably several other spin-off benefits.

The energy efficiency challenge was seen as a great project to kick off at our May Sustainability Festival and, while we made no specific plans to form a committee around this, it’s clear that there was a strong interest shown by those in the discussion and indications that there may be a way to get some seed money for the project from Seattle City Light and/or Puget Sound Energy.

If you have an interest in any of these possible projects or want to help plan and create the West Seattle Sustainability Festival, please get involved!