2022-2024
Matt Mayers, Volunteer with Citizen's Climate Lobby, NC Chapter
Mayers’ talk titled “Will Duke Energy allow NC to hit its decarbonization goals?” gave an overview of how NC electric utilities are regulated and highlighted some of the structural problems that stand in the way of effective decarbonization of our electric grid. We discussed ways that citizens can become involved in the governance process and wrapped up with information about solar options for consumers. Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/xUlRlQNdYkE
John Zino, Associate Professor, Nuclear Engineering, N.C. State University
Dr. Zino’s “Lunch with the League” presentation was an educational overview of the history of nuclear energy. Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/2rE5e-ow5AE
Lisa Sorg, Environmental and Investigative Reporter for NC Newsline
Sorg spoke about NC’s nuclear power, including the move to smaller nuclear modular reactors. She shared a wealth of resources to educate us about nuclear power, including links for permitting and licensing; waste disposal; oversight and enforcement; and event notification reports, including federal and state entities. Contact environment [at] lwvpt.org for a list of resources shared.
Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/AX1lUOWL6tI
Rod Adams, Former US Nuclear Submarine Engineer
Adams founded Atomic Engines, Inc., which was one of the earliest advanced nuclear ventures established in the U.S., whose aim was the development of a small modular reactor (SMR). He shared some history and current development of the SMR design.
Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/v9CmWcQu8aM
Dr. Shaleen Miller, Sustainability Director for the City of Winston-Salem, teaches the Urban Ecology & Design class in the Environment and Sustainability Program at UNCG.
Her presentation showed ways for citizens to protect and maintain a robust tree canopy essential to clean air, regulating water flow, cooling cities, providing habitat and more.
Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/zF1zNrO454k
Dr. Shamika “Shree” Dorestant, Greensboro’s first Chief Sustainability Officer
Dr. Dorestant introduced us to the City’s Community Sustainability Council and 20-Year Strategic Energy Plan.
See Greensboro’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience
Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/tDmaaOzp0-A
Marion Gamble, Greensboro chapter member, Beyond Plastics
Beyond Plastics is a nationwide project that “pairs the wisdom and experience of environmental policy experts with the energy and creativity of grassroots advocates to build a vibrant and effective movement to end plastic pollution.”
Contact: beyondplasticsgreensboro [at] gmail.com
Gary Kenton, LWVPT Board Member
Gary opened a discussion of the pros and possibilities of nuclear energy as a power source for the future. The film Pandora’s Promise was recommended as an introduction.
Margaret Rowlett, Guilford Clean Power Now Coalition
A partner of the ERT, Guilford Clean Power Now advocated for the formation of the City of Greensboro’s Strategic Energy Plan (SEP) and for a Guilford County Schools Energy Plan.
Ashley Robinson, Greensboro’s Waste Management Educator
Ashley’s presentation showed the how, why, what and what not for recycling in Greensboro.
Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Mc49jqjjM
Further information here: https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/solid-waste-and-recycling
Kirsten Minor, Health Manager for CleanAireNC (AIRE means Action and Innovation to Restore the Environment)
CleanAireNC’s mission statement is “We advocate for the health of all North by pursuing equitable and collaborative solutions that address climate change and air pollution.”
Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCn1ysDFRN8&list=UULFw7uUq2dwGH0_s7aiRMlYkQ
Justin Catanoso, ERT League Luncheon 2023
Justin Catanoso, professor of journalism at Wake Forest University and reporter for Mongabay, international environment news organization, spoke at the ERT League Luncheon, open to the public. He shared his investigative reporting about the biomass wood pellet industry in NC (Enviva) that clear cuts mature tree stands and ships pellets overseas to be burnt in industrial furnaces.
See: https://news.mongabay.com/2023/07/timber-harvests-to-meet-global-wood-demand-will-bring-soaring-emissions-study/
To subscribe to Environment Roundtable news and announcements,
contact environment [at] lwvpt.org
