LEWISTON — Alternative energy will be the topic of a Global Day of Conversation on Tuesday, April 26, at the Lewiston Public Library’s Callahan Hall.

This is the second annual Global Day of Conversation in celebration of Earth Day that the city has participated in, Bruce Damon, chairman of Lewiston’s Energy Saving Committee, said.

The panel discussion was moved to Tuesday because this year Earth Day is also Good Friday.

Though it will be a few days late, “the issues are long term and too important” to not discuss, Damon said.

Those attending will learn about what alternative energies “are good, and what isn’t viable today,” Damon said. Discussed will be what alternative energy is technically available, how it is being used or ignored, and what are the possibilities and roadblocks to using that energy here.

The format will be a panel discussion, and a question and answer period from the audience. Panelists participating will be Adam Lee, who chairs Efficiency Maine, Ian Houseal, Portland’s Sustainability Coordinator, Damon, and local business owner and environmental advocate Jim Wellehan.

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“We hope to get the issues out in the open and make this part of an ongoing series to keep our residents informed about this ever-changing energy landscape,” Damon said.

From solar panels to wind power generating electricity, there are a lot of alternative energies to power and heat homes and buildings, “but we have to get going on them,” Wellehan said. The amount of oil, and price Americans have paid for it, will continue to change as other developing countries use more.

“There’s only so much to go around,” Wellehan said. “We’re going to have to adjust to a less consumptive world,” Wellehan said. 

The panel discussion begins at noon and is free. People are invited to bring their brown bag lunch.


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