2015 “Big Choices” Forums
Self-Reliance hosted a forum series titled “Big Choices” to raise awareness and promote dialogue around options for meeting future energy needs, relative to the state’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
The first three forums focused on three types of large energy infrastructure being considered by Massachusetts policymakers: (1) new transmission lines, to increase the importation of hydropower from new dams constructed in Canada; (2) new natural gas pipelines, to increase the importation of domestic fuel extracted by “fracking” shale formations; and (3) offshore wind farms southeast of the Cape & Islands, to supply locally produced renewable energy to the mainland grid.
The first forum titled “Big Choices: Canadian Hydro & New Transmission” was held on April 2nd. Speakers included:
Eric Johnson – Director of External Affairs at ISO-NE
Carolyn O’Connor – Director of External Affairs & Communications for Hydro Quebec US
Christophe Courchesne – Senior Attorney, Conservation Law Foundation NH
Presentations can be viewed below:
To view a video of the forum click here and enter “Big Choices” in the search bar.
The third forum titled “Big Choices: Offshore Wind & Community Benefit” was held on May 21 at Cape Cod Community College. Speakers included:
Nils Bolgen, Program Director of Wind for Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Richard Andre, President for Vineyard Power
Presentations can be viewed below:
