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Ihara led a panel at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference March 2 on "Environmentally Sustainable Energy." Also speaking were Alan Zelenka, resources manager for Emerald People's Utility District; John Schaeffer, a renewable energy consultant; and Ken Perkins of the Shaklee Corporation. Ihara called for a "soft landing" for our fossil fuel economy by reducing our energy consumption, replacing inefficient technologies and developing renewable energy sources. He fears shortages, such as the recent crisis in California, will only lead to increased production of energy at the expense of our environment. An example is the new push to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. Schaeffer predicts dire consequences if we do not get the entire world participating in finding solutions. Global warming, he says, will bring "lots of disruptions. immigration and national security issues" as rising temperatures drive population migrations. "The costs are going to be enormous," he says. Schaeffer discussed the many alternative ways of generating energy without burning fossil fuels, saying they are more expensive now, but will become more economically viable as the costs of fossil fuels skyrockets. He predicts gasoline will sell for $8 to $10 in the foreseeable future. "The technologies are available now," he says, "and they are expensive unless you count the damage done to our children and grandchildren." Zalenka says EPUD gets most of its power from the Bonneville Power Administration, but invests 4 percent of its revenues in conservation and other programs of sustainability. Most utilities spend about 1 percent on such programs, he says. EPUD generates electricity from capturing and burning landfill gas, promotes energy conservation products, and supports "fish-friendly" small hydroelectric plants. Zalenka compares the energy scenario today to The Perfect Storm phenomenon in which three major storm fronts combined with disastrous results. In this case, he says, we are seeing 1) the third-driest year on record, which reduces hydro power generation, 2) population growth combined with lack of new generation and new conservation, and 3) the California deregulation fiasco. Perkins spoke about corporations, such as Shaklee, that have recently embraced policies and practices that are "climate neutral." These companies analyze the impact of their manufacturing, distribution, marketing -- even their corporate travel -- and compensate with an equal amount of pro-environment investment. "The lords of yesterday, the private and political interests that want to take our remaining resources, use a rhetoric that reflects a world that no longer exists." Sheldon was a keynote speaker at the PIELC and this year's winner of the conference's Kerry Ryberg Award for excellence in environmental law. She is currently director of the Environmental Law Center at Vermont Law School, and previously was legal counsel for the Wilderness Society and Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund. She was also a founding member of the first private public interest law firm in the nation. Speaking to a crowd that included many lawyers and law students, Sheldon spoke of a "moral imperative" in our justice system. She said "litigation remains one of our best tools," and urged the "creative use of law to bring about social change, including using old legal doctrines with new meanings and applications." She praised environmental attorneys who have searched out obscure rules in old legislation and sued for compliance. "Work to find the details that can be used," she said, adding: "This work is not for the faint of heart." Sheldon said one of the biggest obstacles facing environmentalists is the growing urbanization of our population. "More than half of us live in cities now," she said. "More lives are lived out of touch with nature." One long-term solution, she suggested, is to make certain children today experience the outdoors and wilderness. She also spoke of the danger of compromising with development interests on environmental issues. "Consensus is only useful when everybody gains," she said. Referring to the threat to reopen protected areas of the Rocky Mountains to mining and drilling, she said, "We can't be blackmailed into giving up the West in order to save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge." Sheldon also said we need not fear emotional attachment to these issues. "It's personal," she said. "Why do it if it isn't personal? Life is too short. It goes by too fast to not take our work to heart." -- Ted Taylor Back to Environmental Law Conference Index
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