…the village of Merrica nestled between two huge bodies of water.  The villagers were an industrious lot, mostly descendants from two founding families, the Reddys and the Bluefellas.   Important decisions were usually worked out by folks connected to one of these two extended family groups.  Luckily, they shared a lot in common.  Both the Reddys and the Bluefellas dearly loved Merrica and worked hard to make it prosperous, healthy and secure.  That being said, they didn’t always agree on how to reach those goals.  (Truth be told, they often bickered vehemently!)

       For example, the Bluefellas were quite concerned about attacks by an ogre known as Clymdra. *  They pointed to the increase and severity of forest fires and floods, evidence of Clymdra’s mischief.  She also spread warm weather diseases, insects, and other nasty creatures - a real nuisance.  “We can’t keep ignoring her!” the Bluefellas cried. 

       “Nonsense,” many Reddys retorted, “sure Clymdra is lurking about.  But we’ve had threats like her before.  And who knows?  Maybe she’ll just go away.  We can’t be wasting our resources on something we probably can’t do anything about anyway.”  And on it went.  When it came to the topic of Clymdra, the Reddys and the Bluefellas usually just shouted past one another.  It was a mess!

       One day, Will Bendabit and Wanda Middleway, old friends from opposing families who were good at seeing things from the other’s point of view, were ambling along the stream path when this very topic came up. “This bickering about Clymdra is wearisome,” Wanda moaned.  “If she really is a threat, the village needs a plan.”

       “But how will we ever get the Bluefellas and the Reddys to agree?” Will wondered aloud.  Suddenly Wanda stopped, “Hmm…I’ve got an idea.  Come on!” she cried.

       Soon they found themselves in front of a tiny cottage on the edge of town, home to the village sage, Ima Wizewomann.  They poured out their concerns to Ima.  Late into the night over steaming cups of tea, the three puzzled over the problem.  Slowly, an ingenious plan unfolded.

       “So, I’ll meet you both at the village council tomorrow,” Ima winked. “No time to lose! We can’t gamble with the safety of our precious village because it’s the only home we’ll ever know.   After all, we’re here forever…Earthbound.”
       
       (Exciting conclusion next time!)
      
        *Clymdra – mythical name for Climate Disruption

       Minnie spotted Whiz slipping on to a stool in the Energy Diner. “Well if it isn’t Whiz!” Minnie Sota announced; she loves ribbing Whiz Connsin. “Haven’t seen ya since the big game.  Say, you okay?  Looking a little pale there pal.”  Minnie grinned as a few other neighbors - Moe Surrie, Illiee Noye, and Aye O’Way looked on.

        Whiz did feel a bit punky, and he knew why.  It’s his diet.  He gobbles up most anything that’s put in front of him - mostly coal and natural gas.  No wonder he belches noxious fumes!  Only about 1 in 10 things he consumes is clean renewable energy.
 
       Glancing at his neighbors, Whiz noticed they were quite chipper.  He knows they regularly consume more renewable energy than he does.  Take Minnie for example, almost a third of her diet is environmentally friendly clean energy. 

       Whiz shrugged and was about to order his usual when Newt strode in.  Trim and buff, Newt Yorkk glided across the room to the end of the counter.  “Gosh! He looks healthy,” Whiz thought to himself.  “I wonder what’s in his diet.”

       Turns out Newt is very particular about what he consumes.  He doesn’t just gobble up whatever fuel sources the utilities offer on the menu.  Newt has a plan with a goal of using 50% clean power.  His energy dinner is based on the REV* (Reforming the Energy Vision) diet. 

       Whiz watched carefully and saw that Newt’s REV plate includes a balanced mix of centralized and locally distributed electrical generation.  Home owners receive financial benefits to either install solar on their homes or to join a neighborhood or area shared renewable energy project.  Many homes have their own battery storage and “smart technology” thermostats and devices.  With these job-creating 21st century choices in place Newt can avoid the expense and environmental problems of building a new high-capacity electrical transmission grid. 

       “Golly,” Whiz said to himself, “I didn’t even know something like REV was on the menu!”  When the waitress came to take his order, Whiz pointed at Newt and said, “I’ll have what he’s having!”

       As he left the diner, Whiz realized that he didn’t have to settle for the same old same old.  With a little planning, he could eliminate many of the noxious fumes he belched.  Who needs ‘em?  Here on our only home where we’re forever…Earthbound.” 
 
*https://rev.ny.gov/