[Platform] Fwd: Kolbert New Yorker article

[Merelice]

Now, HERE is a good challenge for the GRP to get involved in!

This email is part of a great conversation that has been taking place
among Brookline folks over the last few days, as a result of an
article that was recommended (scroll down).

Merelice


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Donald Weitzman <greendcw at gmail.com>
Date: Jul 11, 2008 2:24 AM
Subject: Re: Kolbert New Yorker article
To: [very long list]

Laurie,

You might be interested to know that, in the early years of this
decade, I chaired a Moderator's Committee that (among other things)
took a hard look at Brookline becoming a "muni," i.e. forming our own
municipal electric company.  In a nutshell, it would seem to be a very
good idea to pursue, with many potential advantages for the town:
cheaper rates, local control, better reliability, easier access to
green power sources, etc.  There are 41 munis in Massachusetts, with
substantially better records than the Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs
like NSTAR and National Grid).  But, with one exception (Ft. Devins),
these were all formed around the turn of the 20th century.  First
economics, and now an arcane and ambiguous state law, have kept other
municipalities from joining them.

For several years, there has been an effort to rewrite the state
legislation in order to level the playing field between the IOUs and
municipalities.  This effort has been spearheaded by several people in
Lexington, with official support from Brookline and other communities.
 However, NSTAR has powerful friends on Beacon Hill, and the
legislation has never made it out of committee (the House Energy
Committee).  And without this legislation, it would be prohibitively
risky for Brookline, or any municipality, to go very far down the muni
path.

The effort continues.  New legislation just signed by Governor Patrick
calls for an examination of municipalization, and this could
conceivably open this long-closed door.

I hope this information is useful.  If you would like any more of the
details, let me know.

Don Weitzman


On Jul 10, 2008, at 1:03 PM, ldougherty at igc.org wrote:



Out of town and catching up with this great discussion.  I rarely read
the New Yorker but picked this issue up for vacation reading because
the Kolbert article and another one featured on the cover caught my
eye.  Some people mentioned a municipal utility for Brookline.  this
is a great idea and a muni could purchase energy from renewable
sources produced in other places not just in Brookline - increasing
demand to encourage supply and taking advantage of locations where
renewable energy sources are more available.

------Laurie Dougherty


-----Original Message-----
From: Don Weitzman
Sent: Jul 5, 2008 11:23 AM
To: .....

Here is a link to Elizabeth Kolbert's latest article in the New
Yorker.  IMHO, she is one of the best environmental writers around
these days, and this latest installment has much to make us think
about what we do in Brookline, and to motivate us.  The article is
long, but worthwhile.  If you are able to read it, I'd be interested
in your reactions.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/07/080707fa_fact_kolbert

Don