Archives for solar

RadioActive 6/15/17

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Penobscot River Rally and Flotilla

1) Today we hear some audio from Saturday’s Penobscot River Rally and Flotilla on the Bangor Waterfront, where people gathered to support the Penobscot Tribe’s struggle for continued stewardship of the River, and other local and statewide struggles for clean water and clean energy.
2) Over 30 organizations co-sponsored the event, which showed support for the Penobscot Nation’s efforts to retain sovereignty and stewardship on the section of the river passing through their island territory. In 2012, the Maine Attorney General’s office sought to establish that section as State territory. The Tribe has sued the State in an on going legal case: Penobscot Nation v Attorney General Janet Mills.
3) Speakers broadcast in this program address the Juniper Ridge Landfill expansion in Old Town and the dumping of toxic leachate into the Penobscot River and on state bills and policies that could support or paralyze the development of solar energy in Maine.

Guests:
Ed Spencer, Old Town resident, logger and intervenor in Juniper Ridge Landfill expansion process
Dawn Neptune Adams, Penobscot tribal member and activist
Fred Greenhalgh, ReVision Energy and solar activist
Jim Freeman, Flotilla organizer, Alliance for the Common Good,

This program was produced in partnership with the Sunlight Media Collective.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Talk of the Towns 5/12/17

Host: Ron Beard, Emeritus Professor, University of Maine
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Community concerns and opportunities

Program Topic: A Climate to Thrive seeks energy independence for Mount Desert Island

Key Discussion Points:

1. A climate to thrive is working on “energy independence” by 2030… what does that mean? What is most compelling about solar energy in the pursuit of energy independence?
2. What are the main elements of your solar work, including Solarize MDI?
3. What is the Community Energy Center at College of the Atlantic, and what projects does it carry out?
4. What are some of the barriers facing community solar initiatives? How are you working to surmount those barriers? A Recent Maine PUC Ruling is negative long-term but provides an incentive for installing solar in 2017.
5. What advice do you have for listeners in other communities?
6. Given your longer term vision of energy independence, what are your mid-term hopes… what would you like to see happening over the next five years.

Guests:
Joe Blotnick, Coordinator, A Climate to Thrive
Gary Friedmann, Chair, A Climate to Thrive Advisory Board, Town Councilor, Bar Harbor
Anna Demeo, College of the Atlantic, Director of Energy Education and Management

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Common Ground Radio 9/4/15

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke
Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Organic Food and Farming in Maine

Program Topic: Solar Energy on Maine Farms

Key Discussion Points:
a) History of renewable energy production on farms
b) Production of solar energy
c) Cultural considerations

Guests:
Bill Behrens, ReVision Energy, Liberty, ME
Anna Demeo, College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME
Steven Katona, MDI Clean Energy Partners, Bar Harbor, ME

Podcast: Play in new window | Download