HEALDSBURG -- Santa Rosa-based Climate Protection Campaign is hosting a forum this week for the local wine industry on the impact the proposed Sonoma Clean Power agency could have on their businesses.
Scheduled speakers at the April 5 forum include North Coast Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, E&J Gallo Winery Environmental Manager John Nagle, Ygrene Energy Chief Executive Officer Stacey Lawson, Marin Energy Authority Chairman Damon Connolly and Clos du Bois Operations Director Brian Hemphill.
As development continues for the renewable energy--focused power agency, the gathering also is intended to help organize the voice of an industry that represents some of the largest volumes of power consumption in the county, according to Barry Vesser, campaign deputy director.
Planners for Sonoma Clean Power assert its benefits could include favorable payments for those who feed the electric grid with excess electricity from solar photovoltaic, wind or other generation systems. It is a space where North Bay winemakers have been particularly aggressive, bringing online a number of recent solar energy and cogeneration projects.
The forum at Healdsburg's SHED is intended specifically for the wine industry and is available through invitation only. It is the most recent of forums to educate the business community about the impact of the proposed agency.
