Seek Feedback on Energy

Renewable Energy Long Island, a not-for-profit organization that promotes clean, sustainable energy generation and use, will host an educational forum on building a renewable and resilient energy system for the South Fork on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m., in Studio 3 at LTV Studios in Wainscott.

With the Long Island Power Authority expected to announce results of its request for proposals to address electricity needs next month, the forum is intended to convey the community’s views on meeting the South Fork’s growing energy demand, said Gordian Raacke, the organization’s executive director.

Along with Mr. Raacke, speakers will include East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell, members of the Town of Southampton’s government and its sustainability committee, David Daly, president and chief operating officer of PSEG Long Island, which manages the island’s energy grid on LIPA’s behalf, and Clint Plummer of Deepwater Wind, an energy company that is vying to build a 90-megawatt offshore wind farm. 

Jeremy Samuelson of Concerned Citizens of Montauk, Dieter von Lehsten and Glorian Berk of Southampton’s sustainability committee, Bill Chaleff of Chaleff & Rogers Architects, and Frank Dalene of Telemark Builders will lead breakout sessions in which specific topics can be investigated in detail.

“It’s a new world,” said Mr. Raacke, “a new era in reforming the energy vision, in things being turned right side up, I would say. Decisions are now supposed to be made by the customers at the local level, not in the utility boardroom or in Albany.” Renewable Energy Long Island, he said, will film the event, compile a summary, and use social media to convey the community’s message to LIPA’s board of directors ahead of that body’s July 20 meeting in Uniondale.

Renewable energy sources, including solar and wind power, have grown in efficiency as their costs have fallen, and both are essential components of a clean energy future, Mr. Raacke said. “There is no single silver bullet when it comes to building the modern energy system, or any energy system. It’s a holistic exercise. It has to involve energy efficiency, and demand response programs” that allow consumers to reduce or shift their electricity usage during peak periods.

“We have to cut back on these excessive peak demand times in summer,” he said. “It has to involve retrofitting existing building stock. It involves renewable energy sources small and large, and anything in between, and community ownership, not just large corporate entities.”

Renewable energy advocates are optimistic that LIPA is seriously considering proposals including the offshore wind farm, battery-storage installations, and a microgrid, a system comprising distributed energy sources and loads capable of operating independently from the main power grid.

“We really want to encourage the community to be there,” Mr. Raacke said. “We realize this is not something we can just leave up to Albany or the PSEG-LIPA boardroom. It’s something we have to build from the ground up, right here, for the community.”

The forum’s sponsors, along with Renewable Energy Long Island, are the Town of East Hampton, the Town of Southampton’s sustainability committee, the East End Resilience Network, the East Hampton Environmental Coalition, and Concerned Citizens of Montauk. The event is free and open to the public, but those planning to attend have been asked to reserve a space online or by email to [email protected] or calling 631-329-8888.