“Settle down! Settle down!” Kyle O’Whatt practically had to shout to be heard.  Banging the gavel yet another time, the crowd finally quieted.  “We’ve got a critical situation here; everyone’s got a lot to say.  You’ll all get your turn. 

        “Here’s what we know.  First – The contiguous U.S. just had the warmest winter ever, more than 5 degrees above average.  Second – Last year we had 28 separate $1 billion or more weather or climate disasters in the U.S. costing $92.9 billion in all!  Third – The world’s thirst for energy is growing dramatically.  It’s almost 5 times greater than 75 years ago. 

        “Clearly, our energy production and use has to change significantly.  The question is, ‘Which clean energy sources are best, and where will the facilities be located?’”
 
        Effie raised her hand but Kyle called Sol R. Pannel up to the mic.  Sol reminded everyone about a report from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission finding that 2/3s of the state’s electrical needs could be generated by rooftop solar on homes that are suitable for solar.  Then Wendy Pharms grabbed the mic boasting that just one wind turbine produces more energy than acres of solar panels.  Next, Newt Clear elbowed his way to the front to remind everyone that the latest generation small modular reactor (SMR) power plants are safe and produce no greenhouse gas emissions.

         Effie continued to raise her hand politely while spokespeople for geothermal, hydro, biofuels and others jostled for the microphone to explain why they should be the ones to lead the charge to a clean, new future.  “Did everyone get a chance to speak?” Kyle asked.  “Oh, I see one more hand.”

        Effie Shency quietly walked forward. “Thank you everyone!  You’ll all undoubtedly have important roles to play as humans struggle with and compromise on questions about which clean energy sources to use and where facilities should be located.  However, in this ‘tug-of-where’ we often forget that the ‘where’ can start right in our own homes.  The typical U.S. home could lower its energy use by 25% through greater efficiencies.  These can be relatively simple things like installing LED lightbulbs, adjusting thermostats and cutting transportation costs.

        “Lowering our energy use reduces the need for all these costly energy infrastructure projects.  Everyone can contribute to energy-wise solutions that protect our planet.  Because, it’s the only home we’ll ever know.  We’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        “Ya ready for the big sale?” Gus Guzzler asked as Electra Carr got settled next to him in the showroom.  “Ya know, the boss has been featuring me on billboards.  Folks will be flocking in to see me,” Gus crowed. “Look, here comes the boss and a customer now…heading right toward me!” Gus gloated.

        Otto Motive proudly gestured toward Gus and Electra, “And here are a couple of the latest models just in.” Anita Gooddeal, a savvy, penny-pinching consumer wary of the wiles of slick car dealers, followed Otto.  But before reaching Gus, Anita stopped in front of Electra.  “Is this one of those electric vehicles? They’re called EVs, right?” Anita asked.  She’s a beauty, and I love the concept.  We’ve got to get off of fossil fuels, but I just don’t know if I’m ready to do the EV thing.”

        “Well of course, there are a lot of factors to consider,” Otto responded. “But there’s no doubt that sooner or later, with few exceptions, we’re all going to be driving EVs.  They have tons of advantages including much lower fuel costs.  And many folks don’t realize how much lower EV maintenance costs are compared to guys like this big boy,” Otto said patting Gus’s hood.

        Otto handed Anita a brochure listing the maintenance advantages of EVs.

• EV powertrains are relatively simple. Many don’t need a transmission. Those that do use a much simpler, single-speed system as opposed to the multi-speed gearboxes in gas-burning vehicles.
• Typical EV drivetrains have about 20 moving parts compared with about 200 in conventional drivetrains – fewer parts to wear out or break.
• EVs don’t need radiators, fuel injectors, gas tanks, valvetrains or exhaust systems – all things that need maintenance and repair.
• The estimated lifetime maintenance and repair costs of EVs are typically $4,600 LESS than for gas-fueled vehicles - $0.31/ mi. for EVs and $0.61/ mi. for gas vehicles.
  

         Later - “Hear that, Missy?  She’s not ready to do the EV thing.  She’ll be back to ogle me; watch,” Gus boasted.

        But Anita kept pointing toward Electra as she negotiated in Otto’s office. “Yep!  She’ll be back, but not for you, ‘Big Boy’.” Electra purred. “She a clever chick who knows how to protect her pocketbook and her planet.  Good thing too, because this is our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        Libby Rawl found her neighbor, Conn Servative’s, newsletter had mistakenly landed in her mailbox.  “More political propaganda,” Libby muttered to herself. “I just don’t get how she can support this stuff.  So… what’s this one about?  Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum.  I guess they must need more ‘conservative energy’??” she snickered to herself.

        Glancing down the street, she spotted Conn setting out yet another political yard sign, so she plodded over and delivered the newsletter.  “Looks like our votes will cancel each other out again this year,” Libby commented pointing at the signs.  Then she couldn’t resist and just had to ask. “Connie, you’re a terrific neighbor, but how can you vote for these candidates?  I don’t get it.”

        “It’s because of this,” Connie replied holding up the newsletter. “My guess is, you’re probably in agreement with a lot of the same policies.  I always figured you to be an environmentalist-type.” 

        “Of course I am,” Libby shot back, “but aren’t all you folks basically just ‘Drill Baby Drill’ fanatics?”

        “Not all of us,” Connie smiled.  She handed the newsletter to Libby who read that the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum (WISCEF)* supports - a transition to clean and renewable energy to stimulate our economy, lower electricity costs, protect our national and grid security, reduce pollution, and improve the public health for all Wisconsinites.  The newsletter further stated - Affordable, abundant homegrown energy and the efficient use of that energy is the key to our quality of life.  A diversified energy portfolio is good for job creation, innovation, and ratepayers’ wallets.  In the Great Lakes region, 86% of voters ‘support taking action to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in the United States.’ And finally – We have a duty to be good stewards of our environment.

        “Whoa!” Libby explained. “I had no idea. You’re right; I do agree with much of this.”“I figured you would,” Connie nodded. “Say, want to come in for a cup of tea?”

        Later, heading home, she and Connie were having the same thoughts. “Who would have guessed we have so much in common?  Thanks to that ‘mailbox magic’, I now see we’re just coming at it from different angles.  No matter which political side we favor, it’s our duty to be good stewards of the environment.  After all, this is our only home; we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

* www.wiscef.org