Notes from the Electronic Cottage 3/29/12

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

The U.S. was founded on John Locke’s principle of “consent of the governed,” a concept which some are trying to extend from physical space into cyberspace. Rebecca MacKinnon is one of them and she has written a book called “Consent of the Networked: The Worldwide Struggle for Internet Freedom.” It’s worth a read. If you can’t get around to reading it, you can hear some of the major ideas in a 14 minute talk available here: www.ted.com/talks/rebecca_mackinnon_let_s_take_back_the_internet.html

WERU Special: LPG Tank Opponents Vow to Continue to Fight 3/27/12

Host: Amy Browne
Engineer: Joel Mann

Key Discussion Points:
Opponents of the massive Liquid Propane Tank facility planned for Searsport react to Searsport’s defeat of a referendum that would have allowed time to study the plan.
Resident of surrounding towns, who did not have a vote in the referendum, weigh in on the issue
Plans are in progress to take the fight to the next level (regional coordination, legal action)

Guests by name and affiliation:
Arlene Leighton, Lincolnville; Christopher Hyk, Belfast; Astrig Tanguay, Searsport

Call In Program: Yes

Camden Conference 2012 3/26/12

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

Amory Lovins, Chairman and Chief Scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute, presents “Reinventing Fire: A Business-led Clean Energy Solution for Security and Prosperity.” His presentation echoes the theme of his book by the same name: the US can be completely off fossil fuel by 2050 while simultaneously growing the economy by over 200%.

What areas of the economy lend themselves to renewable energy?
What are the economic benefits to reducing the use of fossil fuels?
What are other benefits to reducing the use of fossil fuels?