As a business owner, we were contacted by Local First to support its petition demanding the city purchase 100 percent of its energy needs from local renewable energy sources by 2050. Apparently, Local First understands that demand creates supply, but that is only the start.
In its language, this petition does not define any possible path forward on how local businesses would accomplish this, nor suggest the state or local policy mechanisms that would create economic incentives for local businesses to generate 100 percent renewable energy. The petition claimed that by the city submitting to its demands it would offer businesses investment opportunities, without telling us how that would happen.
The recent article, “The balancing act of transitioning to green energy,” (Herald, Sept. 30), made it clear to us that Local First had not done its homework before making its demands – signed by about 1,000 people. Where was its “Theory of Change” that plots the pathway by which its demands are possible?
Under the current LPEA contract restrictions, La Plata County has nearly maxed out its 5 percent limit on renewable energy sources for the next 32 years. It was also made clear that Local First had not tried to fund (or find the funds for) the $50,000 required to have Tri-State tell us how much it would cost to buy out our power contract, and how this would “stabilize energy costs” as claimed in its petition. Buy-out costs plus the cost of infrastructure will likely be over a $1 billion. By agreeing to do this without a known pathway, our city council would not be abiding by its fiduciary responsibilities.
The petition ends with, “We will be there to support you on the path ahead … “ When we looked deeper into who “we” are, we were surprised to find that this petition is based on a national campaign by the Sierra Club and supported locally in partnership with the San Juan Citizen’s Alliance. When did Local First become an environmental advocacy group, and why are they promoting a national campaign by the Sierra Club? It appears that these environmental groups are the winners – they successfully leveraged the Local First brand to have it do their work – and the 200-plus Local First members are potential losers.
Like the city, Local First members are customers of LPEA. What percent of total LPEA power is consumed by Local First members? Does Local First plan to make a similar demand of its members, with the same unsubstantiated claims? How would these businesses like to have their customers make these kinds of demands on them?
Knowing that Amazon is just one click away, why would Local First’s Board of Directors make a misguided move that has the potential to permanently damage it brand and its members businesses?
Steve and Deb Ruddell
Durango
