Currents for June 18, 2020 (Jun 15, 2020)

The Rotary Club of
Lebanon, NH, USA

Chartered 1923

Cartoon in header from the Winchester Star, May 11, 2020

Currents

June 11 2020

Editor Marilyn Bedell/Meeting notes taken by Bruce Pacht (thank!)

Baker Crossing Pocket Park

Program for June 18, 2020

Dan Weeks - Revision Energy, Co-owner and Director of Market Development. ReVision has offices in Enfield and Brentwood, NH.

Dan Weeks

Dan Weeks said he is a 12^th generation Granite Stater. His wife is from South Africa and they have 3 children. He and his family live in Nashua as a mid-way point between where Dan works and his wife’s job in Boston.

ReVision has just completed 6 solar projects for the City of Lebanon. Their most recent project was just completed at Mascoma Meadows: a “ground mount” installation saving each family in the mobile home park about $300/year in energy.

Dan used a slide show and a rapidly-paced narrative to present a waterfall of information bearing on how “New Hampshire’s Energy Future” should and must include a strong reliance on solar and wind power. Dan said that the “275 co-owners of ReVision want to preserve the beauty of NH.”

Here are some highlights of Dan’s comprehensive talk:

PAST: NH’s energy past was about local distributed, and renewable sources

Hydropower in Manchester powered the Amoskeag Mills.
Biomass
Wood heating in homes
Horsepower

PRESENT: At present, NH’s power is mostly centralized and non-renewable, going toward transportation and residential uses (each about 32%), commercial (22%) and industrial (14.5%). Renewables constitute 19% of the mix; 81% from non-renewables like petroleum 44%, nuclear 33% and natural gas 17%.

Within the renewable sources as of 2019: biomass 73% (diminishing today because of plant shutdowns), hydro 20%, wind and solar following.

Costs of energy non-renewables has been going up – gasoline at the pump and electric rates have been going up about 3%/year on average.

There are many indirect costs of the current energy system with its carbon emissions. Surface temperatures around the world have increased about 2 degrees F since 1900. Staying on the current trajectory would have temperatures rising as much as 6-12 degrees F depending on how we deal with fossil fuel consumption.

Also, average winter high temperatures have risen faster than overall temperatures. We have also seen an increase of 71% in intensive rainfall events (4” in 24 hours) from 1958-2012.

NH’s summer climate has shifted to what New York City used to experience. Sea level rise for MA and NH means less land can be utilized. Human health impacts also have worsened. Add in Hampton Beach street flooding, moose tick infestations, maple heat stress, and declining snow fall.

FUTURE: Dan sees a return to local, distributed, and clean energy sources as the pathway toward slowing global warming’s ill effects.Power potential available on earth from the Sun is a huge 23,000 terawatt hours/year; wind could produce 70-120 TW/year.

NH is on the same latitude as the French Riviera on the Mediterranean. Onshore and offshore wind, plus utility scale solar, plus rooftop solar all will help us get where we need to be.

Dan told us about the “Stanford Analysis” pathway to New Hampshire’s NH 100% clean energy transition. It says that onshore and offshore wind will produce 60% of our power with solar at 30%. We will need to transition how we build buildings and what we use for transportation

Q: Paul T asked about impediments to this future.

Dan — primarily government policy. Right now, less than 1% of our energy in NH comes from solar; Maine has passed us. We need laws to revise NH’s “renewable portfolio standard” (“… a regulation that requires the increased production of energy from renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal. Other common names for the same concept include Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) at the United States federal level and Renewables Obligation in the UK” – Wikipedia)

Dan sees the commitment of NH’s Public Service Company to net zero emissions by 2030 to be a help.

Solar costs

Lebanon has 830 KW of capacity installed across 6 sites. Costs are coming down: there are today dozens of solar-powered schools in NH.

At Dartmouth, installations #17, 18, and 19 are being completed. Cities and towns are getting on board as well.

Transportation is a huge source of warming gases. Dan drives a Chevy Volt as part of his own commitment. Efficiency in battery storage is improving. Clif Below is leading the effort to make battery use more affordable and widespread.

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Questions and Comments

Cindy Jerome — ReVision did an array atop the Woodlands and we’re feeling good about our cost savings.

Solar Array at the Woodlands

Steve Christy: You did a project for Lebanon and recently merged with a company?

Dan Affeldt — about 1.5 years ago we brought Energy Emporium into our fold. Added jobs in Enfield and moved to a larger space.

Steve C asked about ReVision helping with Steve’s fountain project at the Glenwood cemetery, asking if Dan knew Patrick McCarthy.

Dan said he wasn’t aware of the project and would be happy to talk about donating a panel. Email address: Dweeks@revisionenergy.com

Steve Whitman: What about nuclear energy? How significant could nuclear energy be?

Dan — ReVision hasn’t taken a position. I think we should continue producing safe nuclear with appropriate regulations. But given regulations and apart from the opposition to nuclear power, it is today so expensive to build new nuclear capacity that it looks like the writing is on the wall for generation from other sources. Solar will decrease in cost to less than 2 cents per KWH for new construction.

Paul Tierney: Financing?

Dan — It makes most sense for a business to take advantage of the 36% tax credit and depreciate. Not-for-profits and public entities: best solution is usually a power purchase agreement whereby instead of coming up with cash to build, they buy the power from an array at a cost less than from the grid. After 5 years, they would have the option to purchase back from the investment partners; the investors are families and businesses willing to provide capital for a below-market return in order to support solar power.

Bill Secord: 2.5% is a sizable amount of land to use for solar and wind power generation. How do you approach siting issues and gobbling up such acreage?

Dan — I differ from the Stanford analysis. They project 2.5% total because they proposed that nearly half come from onshore wind – that is just NOT going to happen. We are too protective of our ridge lines. Offshore wind studies have shown that in the Gulf of Maine we have 200,000 KWH potential, six times the total energy production of all 6 NE states. The continental shelf allows siting far from shore and the ability to connect into existing coastal population distribution. When we do use land, we try to manage it for vegetation and animal use.

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Bio for Dan Weeks, Director of Market Development

Dan got his start in clean energy as a teen member of the award-winning ConVal Solar Race Car Team in Peterborough, NH. Although solar-powered racing wasn’t breaking any records in the 1990s, the cars were early proof that solar could be a convincing alternative to fossil fuels. Two decades later, he proudly powers his well-insulated home with a 5.5-kilowatt rooftop solar array and drives a speedy Chevy Bolt, charged by the sun.

As ReVision Energy’s Director of Market Development, Dan combines his love of people and the place where he was raised, with a strong desire to see business become a force for good in society. Dan’s responsibilities include developing large-scale solar projects with commercial and institutional partners, promoting policy change to accelerate the clean energy transition, and providing strategic direction in marketing and sales. He is especially committed to expanding access to cost-saving clean energy for low-income communities by partnering with nonprofits and municipalities

The Kilton Library Children's book given in honor of Dan Weeks:

The Bell Rang

Author and Illustrator James E. Ransome

Every single morning, the overseer of the plantation rings the bell. Daddy gathers wood. Mama cooks. Ben and the other slaves go out to work. Each day is the same. Full of grueling work and sweltering heat. Every day, except one, when the bell rings and Ben is nowhere to be found. Because Ben ran. Yet, despite their fear and sadness, his family remains hopeful that maybe, just maybe, he made it North. That he is free.

An ode to hope and a powerful tribute to the courage of those who ran for freedom, The Bell Rang is a stunning reminder that our past can never be forgotten.

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Moorings

After our speaker Hank Clarke and Paul Tierney shared the following:

ABORTED SERVICE PROJECT

Hank and Paul T responded to a Listen request they thought was something simple but turned out to require planning and execution from the ground up. After discussion, no one strongly advocated for Rotary to be involved at this stage. Hank will call Listen and suggest they talk with Lebanon Garden Club. There may be future possibility for us to help with labor.

Marilyn Bedell then shared a ROTARY VIDEO: Rotary Supporting Education, a very exciting videos of children benefiting from Rotary’s help.

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SHARING HAPPY THOUGHTS OR CONCERNS:

Hank Clarke: He and Carol enjoyed a top-downcar ride into Vermont. With the brilliant sun, they came home a little crispy with sunburn.

JoAnn Lemieux made her donation to TRF. She didn’t receive a reminder from Ron. Ron said he sends reminders only to those who haven’t yet given each year; we are down to only 8 non-participants. Ron Bedell said that in District 7850, we are #1 in total contributions and #3 in per capita giving at $283; our total Foundation giving is $17,540 including to PolioPlus.

Ernst Oidtmann: Historical happy thought. 205 years ago, June 18, the Battle of Waterloo. Dutch-Belgian army against Napoleon.

Paul Tierney reported that Ron Michaud is doing as well as he can, given that Hillary is in hospice care and in pretty good spirits. Ron sends his regards to the club. He enjoys telephone conversations: 448-1430.

John Yacavone asked Paul how he is doing, since Ron is a psychiatric social worker.

Paul Tierney shared that next month’s 50^th anniversary of his return from Vietnam means lots of memories are swirling around; he said “I’m hanging in there, though my patience is no greater than it ever was and my ‘curmudgeonliness’ is going strong.”

Marilyn Bedell was on an international call for RI with a representative from Holland which made her think of Ernst.

Steve Christy reiterated the story of his involvement with placing a decorative water fountain in Glenwood Cemetery in time for Jackie Logan’s 97^th birthday this month. The fountain in question used to be in her backyard. She is the widow of Howard Logan, longtime Lebanon Rotarian and past president of our club.

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Club News and Other Announcements

Club Business Updates

BUSINESS

CHANGEOVER will take place virtually beginning at 5:45 PM Thursday, June 25.

Hank asked how we could entice those who haven’t been coming to Zoom meetings to come to changeover.

Marilyn will create a list of those who have not been Zooming with us.

Marilyn knows of at least 2 folks who are on Zoom all day and just cannot stand another zoom meeting; she hopes they will join us for change over to help celebrate Marion and Liss's year as co-presidents.

DONATION REQUEST

Steve W: The board of directors approved bringing a finance committee recommendation to the membership to donate $2,500 to the Lebanon School District to continue providing lunches using school bus routes. This is in addition to $2,500 appropriated by the Mollica Committee. Motion was made by Garlan Hoskin, seconded by Steve Christy, that the club authorize the expenditure. No opposition.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Tim reported that the club awarded $1,000 each to 2 candidates at MVRHS and 2 at LHS. LHS has distributed theirs; MVRHS is working on its graduation in July. Unfortunately, we neglected to specify that one of the Lebanon scholarships was given in memory of Thomas Dauphinais. Tim will write to Tom’s relative who called us explaining that the two clubs merged, thanking her for pointing out our error, that student will be notified, and that we will continue the tradition.

Marilyn Bedell moved, and John Yacavone seconded a motion that the club continue in perpetuity to give a $1,000 scholarship each year in Tom’s – he was a charter member of Lebanon-Riverside who passed away at an early age.

Paul Tierney suggested that our giving policy for the future ought to go before the giving and grants committee.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW COMMITTEE

Paul asked that the club establish a grants and giving committee. Marilyn pointed out that membership action was not required for the board to establish this committee which already has taken place. She wants members to see this as a “wonderful opportunity” for especially our newer members to work with that committee to determine what our charitable giving should be. Marilyn suggested that the appointed chair, Don MacMeekin, seek to add new members to this effort

Epilogos Charity Clothing Drive

Drop off clothing next week at Tim's Nationwide Office or at Jake's. See full information below.

VIRTUAL RI CONVENTION is next week.

You may come and go to see various plenary and breakout sessions. Check it out at RI, as you must register. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS EVENT IS LISTED IN THE LAST SECTION OF THE NEWSLETTER

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Officer Changeover

Coming Soon

Cartoon from the Rotary Club of Waratah, NSW, Austraila

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Rotary Club of Lebanon - Officer Change over 2020 will be Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 5:45 via Zoom.

The Zoom link will be shared by e-mail.

Please join us to thank our Co-Presidents, Liss Mooney and Marion Steiner for their year of service; and we will welcoming Paul Tierney as our incoming Presidents.

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District Officer Changeover

Saturday, 20 June 2020

June 20, 2020 District Changeover Cocktail Hour (open to all) 5:00 pm on Zoom. Featuring Brenda M. Cressey, Trustee of The Rotary Foundation. Welcome 2020-2021 District Governor Jamie Milne to his new role and celebrate a successful year! Zoom login information to be sent out in advance of the event, and to make a donation (in lieu of a ticket fee) please go to:

https://rotarydistrict7850.regfox.com/d7850- foundation-donation-celebration-of-dg-rich-fox.

Zoom Link will be emailed closer to the date.

The guest speaker for District 7850’s Changeover will be Rotary Foundation Trustee Brenda Cressey.

Brenda Cressey

Trustee 2017-21
Rotary Club of Paso Robles
California, USA

Brenda Cressey is the former CEO of Office Support Systems, a telecommunications business in Maine. She has served in many volunteer capacities with civic organizations such as the American Cancer Society.

A Rotarian since 1989, Cressey served as the first female chair and vice chair of The Rotary Foundation. Before that, she held numerous positions in membership, the Foundation, and training. Cressey was a Future Vision RRFC Training Institute moderator, an endowment/major gifts adviser, Council on Legislation representative, RI president’s representative, 2012 International Assembly executive committee member.

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International Service Project

It's easy!...For Epilogos Charities Serving El Salvador

Picture from a 2013 to El Salvador

Bruce Bergeron in the back row

with former Rotary Members

Dear Epilogos Friends,

Do you have any old clothes, shoes, purses, bankets, sheets, pillows, backpacks, sleeping bags, towels and linens you'd like to get rid of?

We have the perfect solution! Donate them to Lebanon Rotary and we will use them to raise funds for Epilogos, a NH based nonprofit benefiting the people and community of San José Villanueva, El Salvador. Every pound of goods will earn $.20. Last year we colleted 1,500 pounds. This year our goal is 2,000 pounds. The items can be in any condition and do not have to be laundered or clean. It couldn't be any easier.

Donations can be dropped off in plastic bags at Jake's Coffee Shop or Guaraldi Insurance June 22 - June 26, 8 am to 5 pm.

Feel free to invite friends and family to drop off as well. The more the merrier.

For more information about Epilogos go to: https://epilogos.org/

Lebanon-Riverside Rotary has enjoyed a long relationship with Epilogos, and has sent teams of Rotarians to San José Villanueva on three occasions to build 3 homes for deserving families. We will share more details about Epilogos in an upcoming club meeting.

In the meantime, it's time for some serious spring/early summer cleaning.

Sincerely,

Bruce and Tim

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Food Drives

TIM Guaraldi state he spoke to 2 or 3 local grocery stores re: a drive-by food drive. No horizon for holding anything in their lobbies. They are considering something like a drive-by FOOD drive, but Tim's not holding his breath.

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Upcoming Events - Save the Dates

Bedell Classic....Hold the Date

Golf committee has secured September 17 Thusday as a new date for the Bedell Tournament. Probably a smaller event this year, but one where we can raise at least some money.

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Listen Dinners 2020

NEXT DINNER June 9, 2020/Cancelled, Volunteers still not permitted to help prepare meals.

Cook team to arrive at Listen at 3:30 PM

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2020 Holiday Party and Yankee Swap

It's never to early to plan...Mark you calendars now, our 2020 Holiday Party and Famous Yankee Swap! It will be on Thursday, December 17, 2020, at the Quechee Inn at Marshland Farms. Cost will be the same as 2019...$40/person

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Rotary International News

Sign up for the 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention! Share this free event with your family and bring a friend -> CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Schedule at a glance

General sessions

Saturday, 20 June

General Session 1: Together, We Connect

08:00-09:15 in Chicago, USA (UTC-5)
14:00-15:15 in Lagos, Nigeria, and London, England (UTC+1)
21:00-22:15 in Taipei, Taiwan (UTC+8)

Check the time in my city

Sunday, 21 June

General Session 2: Together, We Learn

08:00-09:15 in Chicago, USA (UTC-5)
14:00-15:15 in Lagos, Nigeria, and London, England (UTC+1)
21:00-22:15 in Taipei, Taiwan (UTC+8)

Check the time in my city

Featured Breakout Sessions

Monday – Friday, 22- 26 June

Each day, one breakout session will be offered at each of the following times*:

8:00 – 9:00 Chicago Time (UTC-5)
12:00 – 13:00 Chicago Time (UTC-5)
18:00 – 19:00 Chicago Time (UTC-5)

View full schedule of breakout sessions

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More leadership development courses in the Learning Center

As part of our alliance with Toastmasters, we’re offering a new leadership and communication series. The first two courses are now available in the Learning Center:

Develop a Speech — Learn how to organize a speech that leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
Deliver a Speech — Explore how voice and body language can affect a speech and practice using them to express emotion and convey a point of view.

These courses, developed by Toastmasters International, include practice activities to help members apply their new skills and peer evaluations to help them grow through collaboration.

Click on the logo above to watch the video of RI President Mark Maloney talk about our alliance with Toastmasters. You can also visit My Rotary for more information.

We are meeting via

Zoom!

We will be meeting every

Thursdays at 5:30 PM

Please join us if you can!!

Need to learn how to join a Zoom Meeting? Click Here

President

Marion Steiner

Co-President

Melissa Mooney

President-elect

Paul Tierney

Vice President

Hank Clarke

Past President

Michelle Buck

Past President

Stephen Christy

Secretary

Marilyn Bedell

Treasurer

William Babineau

Adviser to the Treasurer

Angela Nelson

Finance Committee Chair

Steve Whitman

Membership

Rich Wallace

Charities Board Treasurer

William Babineau

Web Master

Marilyn Bedell

Molica Fund

Stephen Christy

Youth Service

Stephen Christy

Sergeant at Arms

Tim Guaraldi

Service Projects

Bruce Bergeron

Rotary Foundation Chair

Ron Bedell

At Large Member-Program Chair

John Yacavone

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