Local power

 The title is a double entendre, but not particularly risque unless you want to stretch the meaning and say that coal is dirty. Which it is, regardless of all the "clean coal" propaganda.

I've now been to a couple of board meetings at the Jamestown BPU to observe and  learn how things work. I understand that the current coal-fired power plant is obsolete and in the process of being decommissioned. I understand that a large amount of our electricity comes from hydro-power via Niagara Falls. I understand that there are natural gas turbines generating power to meet the rest of the demand. I understand that shortages can be addressed by buying additional power off the grid.  I understand that there are issues with the reliability of transmission lines here, as everywhere, in a country that has dangerously neglected its vital infrastructure in pursuit of short-term and short-sighted gains. I understand that the BPU board has an obligation to continue providing its customers (particularly its business customers) with reliable and affordable electricity. And that, if the funding were available (which it isn't), they would elect to build another dirty (while insisting it is clean) coal plant in a heartbeat to keep that power flowing.  Because to have the courage and vision to move Jamestown into a renewable, clean-energy future would be...uncomfortable.

It's interesting because I was reading a couple of weeks ago about the people of Boulder, Colorado, who have voted for public ownership of their previously privately-owned utility in order to provide for their energy needs with wind and solar. And here we already have a public utility and... crickets.

There is a handful of environmentally-conscious and concerned citizens who, for years, have basically been a thorn in the side of the board. Having now been to a couple of the public board meetings, I have observed the members' annoyance at having to endure public input and questions while they're just trying to do their jobs.  I can't say I blame them. Public input is such an unusual and unheard of thing. What are these people thinking?  They're like mosquitoes at a picnic. I really would like to see MORE of the public become conscious and concerned enough to share their input, so the board members would get used to having to consider them.

Which brings us to the other "local power" in the title: if you're sitting at home and kvetching about something, you're helpless. Those who show up are the ones with the power.