Posted by Peter Waring, a resident of the Fairfax neighborhood, on Dec 11, 2008 at 11:33 pm

Peter Seidman is to be commended on writing a good summary of the progress toward Marin Clean Energy. However, many of us who attended the San Rafael City Council meeting on 12/1 came away perplexed and dismayed by Vice Mayor Cyr Miller's eleventh hour "twist" which would have the effect of stopping San Rafael's participation in MCE dead in its tracks until 3/31/09 by which time he hopes to get definitive clarification of PG&E's vague partnership proposal. If at the second reading on 12/15, Councilwoman Barbara Heller decides that her doubts warrant similar caution and switched from a "Yea" to a "Nay" vote, then it would be 2-to-2, and the measure would fail to pass. This doesn't feel like a "done deal". It feels like a serious threat of backslide away from urgently needed action to keep our environment and our economy from dropping deeper in the hole. San Rafael and Novato, because of their far greater customer base, are key players whose participation is critical to leverage sufficiently low bids from clean energy providers to make the whole plan succeed. And success for MCE and the JPA is necessary to open the door to many other vital programs, such as making use of the AB811 funds for home energy efficiency upgrades which will stimulate our local economy creating green jobs. Local initiative will attract State and Federal support to keep Marin and California at the leading edge of sustainability. Failure to unite around MCE would compromise many of the changes we have dared to believe in and worked hard for many months to attain.

Peter Waring, Green Building & Energy Consultant, Fairfax

Posted by Sea, a resident of another community, on Dec 14, 2008 at 11:46 am

Really Peter Waring? So refreshing to know that the Vice Mayor is giving real thought to the issue, good for him. You and others seem to only hear the double talk, and buzz words. You, in part call yourself a energy consultant. It appears to me that you have completely discounted the nuts and bolts part of this problem.

I have simple questions that I have posted many times, and never once was there an answer to one. Maybe you can answer Mr. energy consultant? 1. Why do all of you act as if PE&E does'nt exist?

They own it all in Marin. Generating and delivery.

They will be big player for years to come

2. How does one know if they are receiving green power

or dirty power. It will be delivered on the same

line. Strict accounting you say?

3. What would stop PG&E from assessing a surecharge to

deliver from a private generating facility?

4. Why isn't anyone talking about conservation?

5. Personally I have not seen that many green

generating facilities in or near Marin. Clearly no

would want one in their back yard. Put them far away

Did mention delivery system?

6. Do people really understand the energy it takes to

produce electricity? Clearly not.

7. Why don't you all see this for what it is, clear and

simple. Deregulation.

8. In your scenario, as these green plants come on line

who will pick up the shortage at peak use periods?

Mixing dirty with green.

I do believe in sustainability, and I am not a big fan of PG&E. I also believe this is no simple task as outlined by MCE. At this moment the Berkeley approach makes much more sense. Much more localized and happening now.

Posted by Evan, a resident of the San Rafael neighborhood, on Dec 15, 2008 at 9:00 am

I'm not an expert on this, but here are my responses about why I think it makes sense to move ahead. There are plenty of questions, but no entity is making a commitment to move ahead with the full project until bids come back sometime next summer. Also, if Marin pulls this off, it will be a model for the rest of the state and eventually rest of the country. The ripple from what we do could be very important for our nation's energy future.

1. Yes. And they are consistently behind the curve when it comes to conservation and green energy. They have to be pushed by government or some other force. This is another example. All the more reason to intervene. We can't leave it up to PG&E.

2. Is this a reason not to try it? Because you don't know doesn't mean it's not possible

3. Regulators. (Yes, that's asking for some faith in the PUC, which is currently in the pocket of large utilities, but we can hope the legislature, which supports green power, would intervene if PG&E and the PUC don't do the right thing.

4. Good point. It's important and should be part of the JPA plan if possible.

5. They don't have to be big plants. The new entity could help provide loans or liens (similar to Berkeley) for individuals putting solar systems on their houses.

6. Huh? What's this have to do with it? And isn't any renewable contribution better than none? We do what we can which is could be significant and certainly better than nothing.

7. This one I really don't get. How is providing renewable power from a publicly owned entity deregulation? Deregulation is what got us the current utility monopoly dominant system we have.

Posted by Sea, a resident of another community, on Dec 15, 2008 at 10:35 am

Thanks for your reply Evan. I suggest you do alittle more home work on this subject. Your answers are based on emotion not fact or logic. My point is that most do not understand the mechanical part to this problem, just the hoopla.

Posted by Evan, a resident of the San Rafael neighborhood, on Dec 16, 2008 at 1:10 pm

Most do not understand the "mechanical part" of how PG&E provides energy now either. Technical understanding is helpful, but why would I trust PG&E with its record vs. our local governments who have studied this and think it is feasible? We do know that PG&E has not been honest with communities where it has operated (Erin Brockavich) and has had to be pushed to pursue alternative energy sources by state legislation. We will know more about the feasibility when the bids come back.

Posted by Sea, a resident of another community, on Dec 16, 2008 at 2:42 pm

Evan, best of luck to you and the MCE. I will continue to be negative until I hear someone address the technical issues. Something you believe to be just helpful. Emotion, notion, and assumption will never work.