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The City will soon be participating in the New Energy Solutions Program conducted by Climate Solutions, a nonprofit organization that focuses on clean energy systems.  Albany was selected to be one of a handful of Northwest communities to pilot the program in this region.  Our commitment involves participating in a two-day workshop (November 6-7), creating an action plan, and conducting public outreach.   Climate Solutions will provide consultation on implementation, financing, and communication.

Climate Solutions describes the workshop as follows:

“New Energy Solutions workshops are geared toward 25-50 key city and city and or county decision makers – elected officials, utility representatives, city managers, finance directors, top staff, influential local business and nonprofit leaders.  The workshop is designed to create a meaningful strategy for action, based on a 20-year timeline to achieve … substantial economic benefits for the community.”

The vision statement claims, in part:

“Pioneering cities will lead the country in making the transformation to this clean energy future.  The New Energy Solutions Project focuses on Pacific Northwest Pioneer Cities that are best positioned and most prepared to provide ground breaking leadership to fundamentally transform the way we power our communities.”

We may not often think of Albany as a pioneering city, but we are certainly interested in more efficient and sustainable ways to use resources.  Whether it’s pioneering or simply good management doesn’t really matter as long as the result is positive.

Climate Solutions talks about “seizing the moment” in their promotional material, and I believe it is a good time to take a thoughtful look at what is happening with energy usage and how Albany will be affected by change.  Should we, for example, have a plan for installing charging stations for electric vehicles?  Is it possible for our buildings to be energy producers rather than consumers?  I don’t know the answers to these questions, and I’m hopeful the Energy Solutions Project will help us make better informed decisions.

Invitations will also be sent to Linn County, Benton County, Millersburg, Tangent, Corvallis, and Lebanon, recognizing that energy use and supply is a regional issue.  Albany and Millersburg have shown that cities can cooperatively deliver water and wastewater treatment services.  There may be similar savings in developing local energy partnerships.

There is some risk in taking on a new venture, particularly when unemployment is high and the local economy is struggling.  The New Energy Solutions Project is a low-cost effort that could produce long-term benefits to community prosperity.