OPALCO to host community meetings

OPALCO is planning now for what our energy future will be like in the next 25 years. OPALCO wants co-op members to get involved!

||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE |||

OPALCO is hosting a series of community meetings about renewable energy and our shared energy future. These conversations are critical to understanding the needs, priorities, and preferences of OPALCO members as we plan for San Juan County’s energy future.

The energy future of the region is uncertain – demand is going up as we move away from carbon based fuels and switch to more efficient electricity. Regional energy supply is maxxed out. Locally we may face times when there simply isn’t enough power to go around. Should we be investing in utility scale projects to secure our energy future?

OPALCO will be prepared to talk about the realities and challenges of local, renewable generation, planning for energy needs going up, what rooftop solar can realistically contribute, tradeoffs, conservation, climate change, and permitting challenges. The OPALCO team wants to hear from members! There will be a short presentation followed by member comments and Q&A.

Here is the schedule of community meetings:

• San Juan: Monday, September 15, 4:00 pm @ San Juan Grange
• Orcas: Tuesday, September 16, 4:00 pm @ Orcas Center Madrona Room
• Lopez: Wednesday, September 17, 4:00 pm @ Lopez Island Library

Email communications@opalco.com if you have questions or can’t attend one of the meetings and would like
to make a comment.

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is our member-owned cooperative electric utility, serving more than 11,400 members on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 97% greenhouse-gas free and is generated predominantly by hydroelectric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937.