On the Radio Saturday

I'll be on the radio Saturday, Feb. 2.  Sue Jeffers has a weekend roundtable show that goes from 1 to 4 pm on AM1130 News Talk Radio.  I'm joining in at 2 pm.

On the Radio Tonight

I will be on the radio tonight (Wednesday) talking political charity with Jack and Ben.  The Late Debate on News Talk AM1130.  Tune it at 9 pm CST to hear our discussion of political charities!

The Upcoming Magna Carta Octocentennial

We are only two years away from the octocentennial (I looked it up, it's word meaning 800-year anniversary) of the Magna Carta, western democracy's founding document.  Watch this space for more news of this year's commemoration.

Meanwhile, read Daily Telegraph columnist Philip Johnston on that piece of parchment that made England a nation.

Sue Jeffers' Radio Show

If all goes according to plan, I will be a guest on Sue Jeffers' radio talk show this Saturday (Earth Day!).  Tune in at 1 p.m. on 1130 AM.

Tonight at Southdale Library

I'll be at Edina's Southdale Library (70th St. and York Ave) to discuss Sustainable Development tonight at 7 pm.  Swing by if you have the chance.

A Big Thanks to Katherine Kersten

Katherine Kersten, occasional Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist, was our guest speaker this evening at the monthly meeting of SD49 Republicans (SW Metro).  She discussed her study for the Center of the American Experiment on the state's educational achievement gap.  Sobering stuff.

On the Radio (Podcast now available for download)

The Late Debate with Jack and Ben.  Podcast available here (download February 13).  Talking about Tom Steward's latest investigation, natural gas in Puerto Rico, and plastic bags, banned in San Francisco.

Thank You to the "50 Fray" Discussion Group

Thank you to the "50 Fray" Discussion Group for a great meeting tonight in Arden Hills, Minnesota.  This State Senate District 50 organization was kind enough to invite me as part of their program this evening.  I had a great time discussion state energy policy!

Mark Steyn's message for the season

On the other miraculous birth.

Last Night on "Late Debate" with Jack and Ben

Jack and Ben indulged my ego by having me as their guest for the full two hours last night.  Download the December 6, 2011 show at itunes.  I come in around the 25 minute mark.

A Big Thank You to the Dodge Nature Center

It was a wonderful event last evening.  I got the chance to walk around the grounds before my talk and see the solar panels, the wind turbine (under construction) and a beautiful property.

And the chocolate chip cookies were great!

The Late Debate with Jack and Ben

I was lucky enough to be on The Late Debate with Jack and Ben radio show again last night.  We talked about failed energy stimulus programs, the EPA's war on coal power, and the good news about natural gas and "hydraulic fracturing".  Their show is on from 10 pm to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, on 95.9 FM, live streaming (with video) at ustream.tv and on the podcast through itunes.  (Last night's show is up).

Updated and Bumped: Webinar with Dr. Peter Fox-Penner

In less than an hour, Dr. Fox-Penner covers the past, present, and future of the electric utility industry.  The recording of the event can be found at this site.  I know everyone is busy, but if you can spare the hour, I think it will be well worth your time.

I have put the Power Point slides (no audio) up at Google Docs.

Dr. Peter Fox-Penner is the former head of the Brattle Group consulting firm.  He is the author of the book Smart Power, which discusses the concept of "Smart Grid" and proposes several alternative business models for the future of the electric utility industry.

As you will see in the Webinar (or read in the book), the electric utility industry is at a crossroads:  we will need hundreds of billions (if not into the trillions) of new investment to renew our infrastructure, but we are stuck with a business model that has run its course.  The vertically integrated electric utility dates from Edison's time:  this 19th century business model is not up to the task of re-creating a 21st century industry.

What Peter does in his work is to move beyond the status quo (in which everyone is stuck) and suggest new models for how the industry can organize itself.

Thanks to the Faribault Rotary Club for a Great Meeting!

I very much enjoyed by trip to Faribault today.  The noon Rotary Club was well-attended, gave me a warm reception, and asked terrific questions.

Smart Grid Event at U-MN, May 18-19 (Bumped)

Next week I will be attending a Smart Grid event at the University of Minnesota.  The "Smart Grid Cyber Security Conference" will be held on campus on May 18 and 19.  I urge all who are interested to attend:  it's free! (but space is limited, so pre-register).  And best of all:  Dr. Massoud Amin is speaking on May 19.

Thanks to all who came out to Chanhassen

For tonight's SW Metro Tea Party event. People have a lot of options on how to spend a Monday night. For those who think they know all about "those tea party types", I suggest attending a meeting. Week after week, good people who are trying to be part of the solution assemble to work with their neighbors on making Minnesota a better place.

Thanks to Tom Hanson and Paul Kohls for a Great Event

Tonight, the local branch (Edina and west Bloomington) of the Republican Party (Senate District 41) hosted former Pawlenty Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson and former state Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria) for a forum on the state budget situation.

Both Tom and Paul did a great job with their presentations and answering questions from our group.  We are all much more informed on the budget and the pitfalls of getting to a deal in the final 27 days of the legislative session.  And thanks to the Republicans and guests of SD41 for filling the room on a cold, windy night!

Wed. Citizens League Event at Bakken Museum

On Wednesday, I will be appearing on a panel at the Citizens League event kicking off their Electrical Energy Project.  The program starts at 5 pm and will go a quick hour and 1/4.

The event will be at the Bakken Museum of Electricity on the western shore of beautiful Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis.

Event 3: Citizens League Kickoff of Electric Energy Project

Next Wednesday (April 13) I will be attending the Kickoff of the Citizens League project on the electric utility industry in Minnesota.  It will be held at the Bakken Museum in Minneapolis, a unique venue that deserves a visit regardless of the reason.

Event 2: St. Paul, "Reinventing Environmentalism"

For my second event, I will be speaking at the Reinventing Environmentalism conference in St. Paul this Saturday.