derrek.jpgCBV reader, Conrad N., submitted the link to this New Yorker article. Give it some time as it is eight pages or so. But it is written descriptively as a journey of unfolding knowledge. The most exciting bits to me are the stats about the Danish island Samsø. What started as a renewable energy contest has become the pride of the islanders - it now exports more energy than it was using 10 years ago (the island produces 10% more energy than it consumes).

The island has 4500 residents. Chaffee County has near 17000 residents. Samsø is a very windy place. We in Chaffee County have geothermal resources, the ability to produce biomass, plenty of sunlight, wind, and hydro power potential. I guess what I’m saying is that with some incentives, some planning and foresight, we could accomplish what they have done in a relatively small amount of time.

Elizabeth Kolbert, the journalist who brought us this article, finishes with these words of wisdom,

“Few parts of the U.S. may be as windy as Samsø, or as well organized as Switzerland, but just about everywhere there are possibilities for generating energy more inventively and using it more intelligently. Realizing these possibilities will require a great deal of effort. We may well decide not to make this effort. Such a choice to put off change, however, will merely drive us toward it. “

To see photos from the article, click this link.

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