What is clean energy? Discussion set for April 25

Alex Ramel, the Energy and Policy manager for Sustainable Connections, will present “Clean Energy Conversations: Common and Not Yet Common Topics on the Road to Sustainable Energy” at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 in the Biology building’s room 212 on Western’s campus.

The presentation is free, open to the public and is part of Western’s Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series.

Does hydro power count as renewable energy? What's a negawatt (and how do we get more of them)? Does solar work in Washington? Are wind turbines really banned in Whatcom County? Ramel will discuss these questions and many others while considering the big picture challenge of achieving an energy supply that meets present and pending needs and doesn't compromise the future.

Ramel joined Sustainable Connections (SC) in 2008. In his position as Policy and Energy manager, he facilitates the implementation of clean, renewable and efficient energy strategies. Most of his time is spent developing and implementing the Community Energy Challenge.

Ramel joined SC from ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability where he helped dozens of local governments conduct baseline greenhouse gas emissions inventories. He was one of the lead authors of the Local Government Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which is the nationally recognized standard for emissions quantification.

He has developed or supported the development of many local climate action plans, identifying the most effective steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Prior to that he worked for the City of Bellingham’s Office of Environmental Resources where he developed Bellingham’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Local Climate Protection Plan.

Ramel also serves on the Board of the Whatcom County Conservation Voters and on the board of the Northwest Energy Coalition. He received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy and Planning from Western Washington University's Huxley College of the Environment in 2005.

Anyone interested in these topics is encouraged to come and participate. The presentation will include a question-and-answer period.

The goal of the series is to bring together the environmentally minded community and other interested members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

Western’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized national leader in producing the next generation of environmental stewards. The College’s academic programs reflect a broad view of the physical, biological, social and cultural world. This innovative and interdisciplinary approach makes Huxley unique. The College has earned international recognition for the quality of its programs.