Monterey >> Greenpower — a movement to give communities local control, choice, and renewable energy alternatives — will host an event Friday to focus on its cause and honor those who have worked to get it on its feet.
“The goal is to raise awareness about us, what we do, what we’re working on, and to honor and recognize the people of the region in leadership roles,” said Benjamin Eichert, Greenpower director.
Caring for Our Common Home will be held Friday at Dos Suenos Stables, 300 West Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley from 5:30 to 7 p.m. For more information on the event, go to https://www.greenpower.ngo/events/caring-for-our-common-home
Greenpower is a movement to give communities local control over their energy production and lead the transition from greenhouse gas-emitting energy sources – like coal and oil – to locally produced green energy from renewable sources like solar, wind, and biomass, according to its website.
The Santa Cruz-based project was launched in 2016 by its nonprofit parent company, the Romero Institute, inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical call to “care for our common home.”
“At Greenpower and the Romero Institute, we believe caring for the planet is not just environmental but spiritual,” said Eichert. “Romero is interfaith and focused on the faith community because people of faith understand the moral importance to address climate change.”
Eichert said Friday’s event will celebrate the efforts of local community leaders such as former State Senator and current Santa Cruz County Supervisor chair, Bruce McPherson, who will receive an award.
The celebration will include special guest John Laird, California Secretary of Natural Resources, and honored guests, former Congressman Sam Farr and his wife Shary, Monterey County Supervisors Mary Adams, and Jane Parker, San Benito County Supervisor Robert Rivas, Salinas City Councilman Steve McShane, and Bishop Richard Garcia.
The Romero Institute, named in honor of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, has combined public education, grass-roots organizing, and legal services to create social change, for over 30 years.
Greenpower works closely with the Catholic Church to install solar and increase energy efficiency in parishes, and through its organizational and educational work.
The project has helped to dramatically expand the scope of Monterey Bay Community Power – Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito county’s Community Choice Energy program.
California is one of a handful of states that allow cities and counties to form publicly run alternative energy entities such as MBCP, which is poised to be the largest Community Choice Energy program in California.
Formed in March 2017, Monterey Bay Community Power is a joint powers authority, governed by a Policy Board and an Operations Board, each of which includes eleven members. All board meetings are open to the public, with agendas posted in advance, according to its website.
The community power entity was formed as a result of the work of its Project Development Advisory Committee which was formed in 2013 as a region-wide collaborative partnership of all 21 local governments including the tri-counties and all 18 cities located within their borders. The partnership also included Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority and Monterey Regional Waster Management District.
“Greenpower is the ambassador for public education and outreach, educating the public about the program and its potential to quickly and dramatically reduce green-house gas emissions,” said Eichert.
The project’s director said San Luis Obispo County has shown an interest in possibly joining the MBCP.
There are eight CCE programs in California currently delivering electricity such as, Sonoma Clean Power, Lancaster Choice Energy, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, and Silicon Valley Clean Energy, and there are an additional nine programs slated for launch in 2018 including the City of Solana Beach, San Jose Clean Energy, Contra Costa County, and Los Angeles Community Choice Energy.
James Herrera can be reached at 831-726-4344.
