Making Energy Conservation a Local Prerogative

Coinciding with Earth Day, PBS is airing a series of programs highlighting the ways in which local communities are working to conserve energy in order to save money and save the environment.

1 minute read

April 22, 2012, 5:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


The trio of programs being shown this Sunday, Energy Quest USA, Powering the Planet and EARTH: The Operators' Manual, are intended to demonstrate that, "Every day, ordinary people are showing that the politicians on Capitol Hill don't need to agree on climate change in order for us to take concrete steps to cut our carbon emissions."

Perhaps most relevant for planners is Energy Quest USA, which looks at initiatives in Kansas, Baltimore, Alaska, Fort Worth, and Portland for examples of "five very different American communities where citizens are making smart energy choices based on economics and the environment"

"In a political climate in which "going green" is often associated with a liberal agenda, Energy Quest USA sends the message that we need to get back to the all-American values of saving a buck, tackling problems head-on, working together in our communities, and looking out for the future of our kids and our country."

Friday, April 20, 2012 in PBS

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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