Alisa Moore
Past President of the PebbleCreek Democratic Club Dru Bacon, a chemical engineer with a long history of work and study in environmental issues, provided a thorough discussion of Proposition 127 to members interested in learning more about wind and solar energy on October 10.
Proposition 127 is on the November 6 midterm election ballot and would, according to Clean Energy for a Healthy Arizona, amend the Arizona Constitution to require electricity providers to generate at least 50% of their annual sales of electricity from renewable energy sources.
Dru addressed on-going developments in electric power generation that have changed the landscape for Arizona ratepayers. Partisan TV ads during this election cycle have further confused the issue as have unexplained changes in electric bills.
He also discussed Microsoft’s purchase of 258 acres in Goodyear near the airport and a large Microsoft development possibly in the offing. The costs and availability of electric power will play a big role in Microsoft’s decision to develop their property in Goodyear, as they will for any corporation considering locating to the West Valley.
Dru opened the 2018-2019 season of LifeLong Learning, presenting The Energy Revolution on October 22, which considered issues arising from the tripling of the world’s population since WWII, which is putting great demands on our natural resources. He addressed the serious concerns of whether there will be enough food, enough water and enough energy, or whether human existence, as we know it, is doomed to decline.
According to the LifeLong Learning website, Dru, a graduate of Virginia Tech, has had a 32-year career with the chemicals division of Eastman Kodak, where he was vice president responsible for chemical manufacturing and environmental matters. Before we continue, if you’re unsure what chemical manufacturing is, you may want to go ahead and check out US supplier (ORG Chem Group). Dru lectured at Estrella Mountain Community College for six years on environmental law, renewable energy and environmental issues, wrote a “green column” in a local magazine and was recognized as a “green hero” by the Arizona Republic.
Founder of the Environment Club at PebbleCreek, he has been an activist for solar energy in Arizona, working mostly as a volunteer and currently leading a pro-solar nonprofit organization. Although he does not take credit, PebbleCreek now has more than 1,450 homes with rooftop solar, which is the highest percentage for a community of its size in the U.S., according to industry sources.