Coming Up
So many good things are happening around Fidalgo! Below are some highlights of events coming up that we believe may be of interest to Transition folks.
Quarterly Presentations
We present topics of vital interest to our community to help build our knowledge and resilience. Held at 7 p.m. each quarter, these presentations spark conversation and help bring changes and growth.
Fall 2023 Quarterly Meeting: Nov. 7th, 2023
WHAT: In-person meetings are BACK! Mark your calendars for a special evening of community, connection, and climate action at our 2023 Fall Resiliency Gathering & Dessert Potluck.
WHEN: Tuesday, November 7th, 2023 6:30-7:30 pm (Doors open at 6 pm)
Where: Anacortes Senior Center, 1701 22nd St., Anacortes, WA
WHY: We will be doing things slightly differently at this quarterly meeting. Instead of hosting a speaker as we typically do, we'd like to take this opportunity to get to know our neighbors by highlighting and discussing our programs and asking for feedback from our community. Whether you are a seasoned Transition Supporter, or brand new to learning about us! This is a great time to stop by, eat some yummy desserts, and see what we are all about.
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Share in the sweetness of this evening by bringing your favorite sweet treats to our Dessert Potluck!
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For families and individuals alike, we have family-friendly games designed to help you get to know your neighbors better. Building strong connections is a cornerstone of our mission!
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Throughout the evening, we'll shine a light on our program spotlights and celebrate the accomplishments of Transition Fidalgo. It's an opportunity to see how your support has made a difference.
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Your voice matters! Get involved and provide valuable feedback on Transition Fidalgo programs and initiatives. Together, we can shape a more resilient future.
This event is FREE and OPEN TO ALL. Let's come together and celebrate all the good work that has been done over the past year. Contact kelsey@transitionfidalgo.org for more information.
Videos of our Transition to Clean Energy series, held January through May of 2023 are available here:
"Transition to a Clean Energy Future” 5-part series
#1: January 31, 2023
Betty Carteret, co-lead of the Skagit CCL Chapter, talks about why clean energy is so important to taking action on climate change. She discusses what we can do to reduce our dependence on oil and gas as we move to an all-electric future and how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) can help us get there. This is the first of a series of five monthly presentations designed to help us navigate the ins and outs of transitioning our electric supply, electrifying your home, car and community! Let's take advantage of a nation-wide movement and work together to achieve these goals!
#2: February 28, 2023
The Supply Side of a Clean Energy Future
Part 2 of a 5 part series on Transition to a Clean Energy Future. De-carbonizing our source of electrical power is a major challenge ahead of us in achieving greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The all-electric future will demand about three times the amount of electricity available today, transmitted by a smart grid system to make our clean energy future a reality. This talk will explore what will be needed to move from our current outdated electrical grid and power sources to a smart, distributed grid bringing us green power from an expected huge growth in solar and wind and possibly other non-carbon sources.
Presenters:
Connor Birkeland is a Resource Analyst with Puget Sound Energy’s Distributed Energy Resource Acquisition Team. He has worked on PSE’s Clean Energy Implementation Plan, solar, storage, and demand response resource acquisition, and developing benefit-cost frameworks. Prior to PSE, Connor worked for Seattle City Light, the Federal Department of Energy, Itek Energy (now Silfab), and various residential, commercial, and utility scale solar installation across the country. Connor has a Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics and a Masters of Public Administration.
Karlee Deatherage is Senior Community Engagement Representative for Puget Sound Energy in Skagit and Snohomish County. She is focused on building relationships in the community to further the clean energy transition. She has worked for Congresswoman Suzan DelBene as Community Liaison in Skagit and Whatcom County and most recently at the Bellingham-based nonprofit, RE Sources. Karlee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Planning and Environmental Policy.
#3: March 28, 2023
Electrifying Our Homes
Brian Stewart, co-founder of Electrify Now and retired Vice President of Sustainability for Nike is a highly sought after speaker on the topic of transitioning to clean energy and electrification. As a consultant he is currently working with corporations and universities around the country on innovations and sustainability. Their website (electrifynow.net) is a great resource of information on the topic of residential electrification.
In this presentation Brian Stewart talks about why electrifying our homes is an important action to help address climate change. He will explain why building emissions are a significant source of carbon pollution and present practical and feasible ways to electrify our residential buildings. You'll learn how electrification is already becoming a requirement for new construction in some states and how we need to plan when doing future upgrades or remodels of existing buildings to replace fossil fuel based heating and cooking systems with all-electric systems that that will save both money and energy. He also discusses how the Inflation Reduction Act can help families at all income levels pay for part of the costs for this transition.
#4: April 25, 2023
Transportation Electrification
The EPA tells us that 27% of US greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector, and of that 57% is from light-duty vehicles – our cars and trucks. Electrifying transportation, especially our personal vehicles, can make a big impact in creating a cleaner, healthier future. Sales of electric vehicles are skyrocketing speeding our transition to decarbonized transportation. This presentation will look at what you might want to know about making the shift to an all-electric vehicle. We'll discuss the state of technology, current costs, charging your vehicle at home or on the road, how to plan a trip, and what the Inflation Reduction Act offers to help you make the transition.
#5: May 30, 2023
"Smoothing the Road for the Transition"
The EPA tells us that 27% of US greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector, and of that 57% is from light-duty vehicles – our cars and trucks. Electrifying transportation, especially our personal vehicles, can make a big impact in creating a cleaner, healthier future. Sales of electric vehicles are skyrocketing speeding our transition to decarbonized transportation. This presentation will look at what you might want to know about making the shift to an all-electric vehicle. We'll discuss the state of technology, current costs, charging your vehicle at home or on the road, how to plan a trip, and what the Inflation Reduction Act offers to help you make the transition.
Our vision of a clean energy future is within reach and it’s our best hope of limiting climate change to preserve a livable world. Achieving it requires us to work together as individuals and communities with all levels of government to smooth the way to build clean electric supplies powering all-electric homes and transportation. Part of the challenge is updating our thinking, planning processes, and regulations to achieve this urgent transition on a rapid timeline. Our panel will discuss a variety of perspectives related to these issues including perspectives of local and state governments, as well as the challenges faced by entrepreneurs working to build a clean energy future.
Panel Members: WA State Rep. Alex Ramel (LD-40), Anacortes City Council Member Ryan Walters, Entrepreneur Kevin Maas (manure digesters & net-zero homes).
Panel Facilitator - Betty Carteret, Skagit Chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby
Bonus Presentation: May 16, 2023
Build New Power Lines - Now
by Emily Moore