Our fearless leaderess, Julia, says that I've spent enough time talking nuclear modernization and use, and that people are getting tired of it.  She's threatened to take away my newsletter license, so fortunately, I ran across an article in January's Scientific American about solar power, and it's pretty good.
 
The article was written by people who feel that, by using solar and wind power, we can supply 69 percent of the US electricity and 35 percent of its total energy by 2050.  In a fairly clear article, the authors spell out their system, most parts of which have been developed already.  Solar power, both photovoltaic and solar concentrator systems, located in the Southwest, would generate electricity during the daytime, and excess energy would be stored as compressed air in underground caverns, to be recovered at night.  Wind power would be used to augment the solar power system.  If the authors are right, or nearly so, by 2100, renewable energy could generate 100 percent of the US electricity, and 90 percent of the total.  This includes electricity to run automobiles.
 
Infrastructure improvements would be needed, like a large DC electrical distribution system for the nation, but all of that technology exists on a smaller scale.  The total investment would be over $400 billion, but it would gain us energy independence. We might be able to quit having wars.  Listen for further developments.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Programs on coal plants, water diversions, and invasive species are being organized for the next coming months...
 
On April 22nd, the Powers that Organize are planning to run an  Earth Day Event..more info will be available later.  Earth Day is always April 22nd, and will remain so until enough politicians realize it exists, and change it to a Monday.  Regardless, the day celebrates the fact that the earth isn't yet so messed up that we can live here.
 
4th of July parade...Our contribution to this event last year was one person pushing a recycling cart.  He put me to shame.  Maybe we'll have more participation this year.
 
Beach sweeps will probably start in May, giving all of us who clean beaches a chance to find great wealth.  Although there is no truth to the rumor that the Hope Diamond in the Smithsonian is a copy, and the real one got lost on a beach near Ludington, something of value might be out there.
 
Rain Garden work is not large, but reaps benefits.  A trifle of weeding and murmuring kind things to effluent eating plants goes a long way to clean up the water that flows into the Lincoln River up by the college.  This is a very popular event; make your reservations now.
 
We hope you can make it to one or more of our events, and will bring willing new blood to help purify our corner of the world.
 
Each year there is an Energy Fair at the Onekama fairgrounds on the hottest possible day in July (I think).  It's amazing that so many demonstrations and speakers are gathered there for a few days.  Check it out
 
Some of the board members have been overcoming all kinds of obstacles and hazards in an effort to make AFFEW a more fired-up, wildly functional organization.  That requires money, and they've been pursuing some grants.  They'd also be really happy if we ran the outfit more like a business, and less like a club.  Expect progress on this front.
 
Speaking of money, Household Hazardous waste pickup will happen Sept 13, 9 AM-2 PM.  Last year, there wasn't enough in the kitty to take trash from everyone who showed up.  People were very understanding, and were willing to contribute. I think total donations on site were on the order of $900.  This is done in coordination with {some outfit}, and could be improved.  There were no appointments made for customers, so traffic was very slow.  Things have run smoothly in the past when appointments were used.  Also, extra lines may help. 
 
The Hamlin Township Board was asked to contribute funds. They asked how we know that people who gave waste were local, as they feel that they should spend township money on township residents.
 
OTHER STUFF
Efforts are still being made to find an acceptable way to do battery recycling.  This is a main focus for grants, because batteries in trash will pollute groundwater when the landfills leak, as they eventually will. 
 
The Great Lakes Compact is proposed legislation that has to be approved by the Great Lakes states to be effective.  It seeks to maintain the lakes, by keeping water here and pure.  Propaganda supporting this legislation needs to be disseminated.  {Julia will email information}
 
The last BOARD MEETING touched on the following:
 
A forum to consider the issues surrounding coal fueled power plants is being considered.

We are temporarily holding monthly meetings to develop the organization.  We'd all like to hire somebody to run the outfit, but that costs money, but it would be a good idea, because we've not done a lot. Some members feel that a better recycling program needs to be present in this area. There is community support, we need to be leaders in this (geographic) area.  Direction should be decided by the board.
 
Grants?  We're still looking for $5k per year.
Some met with United Way, asking for money.  They may donate; they evaluate monthly, but we need to get diversified in our fund sources.  Great Lakes Energy's Peoples Fund sounds interested.  They review things quarterly.
We have a charitable solicitation license, and donors need to see it to donate. 
Sid will hit other organizations, like box stores, for funding.
 
It was expressed that people who donate $ look at the people receiving.  Fundamental work has to be done to justify our getting money.  We need to do it the right way. 
We need specific statements of where to be in 5 years.
We have a mission statement.  Now we need goals, so we can tell people where we're going. 
 
Goal setting:  in 5 years, we need a paid director to run the programs.  He or she should set up earth day programs, forums, etc.  Programs like recycling, Friday Night Live.  Public Relations in general. Fundraising would be helpful, too. Forget leaping tall buildings, though.
 
Some board members are more comfortable in a less organized group.  Goal statements and committee meetings are something they'll avoid like the plague.  They like doing the grunt work. 
 
One member would like to see more effective, ongoing, environmental educational programs.
 
We are in touch with a person who teaches business at CMU.  If we okay it, her students would work to get AFFEW fired up and organized. We need to develop ourselves.  How do you develop nonprofit organizations?  See the prof from CMU.  Go there, express our needs to the class of college seniors.  They'd be turned loose to solve our problems. 
A group of us would go to CMU and tell the class about us.  Students would study us, and give feedback about what we should do. 
 
The current plan is for meetings on the third Wednesday of the month.  March 19 will be the quarterly meeting.