3-day event focuses on energy and economic issues
Read more: Local, Environment
Business leaders, energy experts, and concerned residents are hoping to shine some light on energy issues at a three day conference in Benzie County. It's already underway at Crystal Mountain resort. The guest speakers are all looking ahead to an economy that's focused on energy independence.
"If we don't make changes and get ahead of the curve, it's going to be a really shocking reality. "
It's a prediction about the future: from the cost of a gallon of gasoline to America's energy needs. Author, oil energy educator, and energy issue expert Richard Heinberg says the energy picture in the United States is changing. Heinberg is Senior Fellow of the Post Carbon institute, and is considered one of the leading Peak Oil Educators. "The 20th century was about cheap energy and always more of it. The 21st century is going to be a very different reality for people. They're going to find energy being much more expensive, and in many cases there just won't be as much of it available as people would like to have."
That's one reason for the three day long conference on energy and economic issues held at Crystal Mountain. The resort is already taking steps to be more energy-conscious, including the building of a new energy-efficient, more environmentally friendly resort spa. Crystal is joining the charge for thinking smart about future energy needs. CEO and Co-owner Jim MacInnes says "it's really time, I think, to look at some energy alternatives, try to really phase more in to renewable energy as much as we can. We recognize that's a tall order and it's probably going to take decades to do that."
One thing that won't take decades to change - the cost of oil. While it's down in recent weeks, Richard Heinberg says it won't take long to go up again. And when it does, no one knows when it will stop. "Rather than four dollar or 4.50 A gallon gas we'll be seeing 5-7-maybe even 10 dollar a gallon gasoline. That will get people's attention obviously and our interest will be riveted on energy issues once again. We can't wait for that to happen, we have to get out ahead of the problem."
That's why business leaders, energy experts, and conservationists are spending the weekend brainstorming solutions. The topics will include the past, present, and future of fossil fuels, oil and natural gas, and alternative energy. MacInnes says "I'm under no illusions that renewable energy and wind turbines are going to solve our energy shortfall anywhere soon. But the sooner we get started the better off we're all going to be."
And Richard Heinberg says the solution will lie in communities all over the country turning to more *local sources of alternative energy. "We're looking to a future where energy is going to be much more localized. Up to this point we've been using coal from Wyoming, oil that may come from Venezuela or Saudi Arabia, and we don't really know or care as long as we can turn the light switch on or turn the key in our car and it goes."
The three day conference at Crystal Mountain is open to the public. Events continue Friday night until 10 p-m, Saturday from 8am-10:30 pm, and Sunday from 8am - 8 pm.
