Tag: Government

Ferguson Township’s Public Works Facility: A Step Toward the Future?

November 18, 2019

UPDATE: After a very thoughtful, detailed, and careful discussion, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to proceed with the project, pass a bond ordinance, and award bids. I couldn’t be happier. Thank you Board, staff, and citizens! Tonight, the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors is voting on a major investment, a $6+ million investment in … More Ferguson Township’s Public Works Facility: A Step Toward the Future?

It’s like taking 4,800 cars off the road

October 30, 2019

So I’ve been chairing an intergovernmental solar power purchase agreement working group. It’s a coalition of municipal and county governments, one school district, and a few authorities looking to buy some or all of our electricity from solar. All told, we purchase about 28,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. There is interest from a housing authority, … More It’s like taking 4,800 cars off the road

Will the Centre County Commissioners do the right thing on solar?

May 24, 2019

Next week, the Centre County Commissioners will consider moving forward on a 1.2 MW solar array. There is some concern that they may not. They need to know that we, the people of Centre County, want a solar future. The agenda item is as follows. 1. Commissioners – Solar energy power service agreement with Centre … More Will the Centre County Commissioners do the right thing on solar?

The climate is a concert and you have a part to play.

September 3, 2017

I was recently interviewed for the Analogous podcast. We talk about local government, sustainability, and how the climate is a concert. What do we want the music to be? Right now it’s being written by the fossil fuel companies and the merchants of doubt. It doesn’t have to be that way. We also explore sustainability … More The climate is a concert and you have a part to play.

“No Mr. Fox. We won’t open the hen house.” When a developer goes for regulatory capture.

December 6, 2016

Last night, we were approached by a developer and their lawyers to revise an ordinance to make their proposed development economically reasonable. They had rewritten the ordinance for us. How kind. We did not accept it. One citizen, speaking on a different issue, was alarmed. She should be.   That, my friends, was an attempt … More “No Mr. Fox. We won’t open the hen house.” When a developer goes for regulatory capture.

Hope & Action on Climate Change. Not Cynicism.

December 4, 2016

This week’s puzzler at Citizen’s Climate Radio asks you how you’d respond to a cynical and defeatist attitude toward climate change during a Trump presidency. You are at a community event, and people are speculating on what a Trump presidency will look like. You pipe up, “Well, I am concerned about climate change, so I … More Hope & Action on Climate Change. Not Cynicism.