December 1978 RAIN Page 3 is now fielding specific requests for in Grassroots Energy, by Luther Gerlach, formation and assistance. By early next 1978,28 minutes, 16mm color & year a complete staff of six regional field sound, $225 purchase, $42 rental ENERGY Creating Jobs Through Energy Policy, Hearings before the Subcommittee on Energy of the Joint Economic Committee, Congress of the United States, 95th Congress, Second Session, March 15 and 16, 1978, from: U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, DC 20402 Senator Kennedy's hearings in midMarch brought together several influential voices on the jobs/energy question-most of them supporting a push for conservation and renewables. Of those testifying, perhaps the best known to Rain readers were: Jim Benson, speaking about the Council on Economic Priorities' Long Island conservation study; Bruce Hannon of the Center for Advanced Computation, with their calculations of jobs created per quadrillion BTUs saved through conservation; and Wilson Clark, Governor Brown's energy advisor, on solar and renewable energy impacts in California. In addition, there was strong testimony from more diverse interests, including speakers from the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association and the National Urban League-groups strongly interested in jobs-creation and highly in favor of developing the solar option. With several important reprints in its appendix, including the updated Jobs & Energy, by Environmentalists for Full Employment, this report serves as a thorough workbook on the positive employment prospects to be found in renewable energy development, with only a mini· mal amount of distraction from Big Energy apologists. Get a copy and brush up on these encouraging statistics. -SA Nuclear Information and Resource Service 1536 Sixteenth St., N.W. Washington, DC 20036 2021347-8317 NIRS is now with us- a non-profit public interest networking and information project designed to help citizen action energy groups become more effective in opposing nuclear power and promoting safe energy alternatives. NIRS has set up a number of d.irect service components for its constituents, including a national information clearinghouse and referral service, as well as legal and media assistance programs. It reps will be on line to work directly with local energy activists. (The Northwest's liaison, Alan Locklear, is already in business at 229 Broadway East, Room 21, Seattle 98102,206/329-7333.) NIRS is also publishing Groundswell, a resource journal filled with valuable networking information and data for the ever-growing citizens' movement for safe and renewable energy. Subscription rates for individuals and non-profit groups is $12.00/year, with a lifeline rate of $8.00/year. Let's plug into NIRS and put their good offices to good use. -SA Montana Legislative Candidates Renewable Energy Questionnaire, 50¢ from: Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO) 417 Stapleton Bldg. Billings, MT 59101 The First Solar Scorecard for California Legislators, SUNRAE Newsletter, Fall 1978, U5.00/year with membership from: SUNRAE P.O. Box 915 Goleta, CA 93017 Two good models for statewide renewable energy networks to pick up on: Elections are over, but this compact questionnaire developed by AERO for legislative candidates in Montana is a format that allows groups to not only poll their politicos, but also to educate and network with them as well. In evaluating the results of this questionnaire, the AERO people did learn that it is important to be tactful with this kind of effort, especially with candidates who may not be knowledgeable on the subjects at hand. In all, a good educational strategy. (Thanks to Wilbur Wood) The latest SUNRAE Newsletter features a thorough analysis of the solar bills passed (13 of them!) and defeated by the California legislature in 1978. Its Solar Sco'recard breaks down voting information on each legislator and assigns percentage scores for their voting record. The best and worst records are singled out to help local citizens figure out who gets praise and who needs help. Incidentally, copies of individual solar bills can be obtained at 25!t each and a self-addressed stamped envelope from SUNRAE Sacramento, 1107 9th St., Sacramento, CA 95814. -SA from: University of Minnesota Audio Visual Library Service Minneapolis, MN 55455 A few months back we featured a story on the rural people of the northern tier that have been struggling with the impacts of Extra High Voltage lines on their lives and livelihoods. Now the story of one of these groups-the far- . mers of Minnesota-is on film and available to the general public. More than just words could convey, Grassroots Energy brings home the enduring campaign of these people-confronting their legislators, praying at the steps of the State Capitol, grappling with state troopers in the dead of winter, and educating themselves about renewable energy options. Through it all shines their sheer determination to enforce a sense of equity in energy development and to retain control over the use of their land. Grassroots Energy has a clear, straightforward tenor, especially in its interviews with many farmer/activists. It should bc an important networking tool for the many groups across the country that find themselves in similar predicaments. -SA Backyard Alternative Energy, produced and directed by Kirby Brumfield, 1978, 26 minutes, 6th grade to adult, color, sale $295, rent $35, available from: Kirby Brumfield Energy Productions Governor Building, Rm. 322 408 S.W. 2nd St. Portland, OR 97204 A burp dome (?) . .. to collect methane gas released by belching cows is one idea featured in the film. This concept, created by an Oregon junior high sch 01 student, while seemingly impractical, is nonetheless admirable in its ingenuity. Backyard introduces audiences to designers and their homemade energy devices. We see an old-timer using steam to operate his two'person sawmill, several owner-built greenhouses, a family heating with geothermal energy and a Savonius Rotor generating electricity from the wind. Both novIce and hardcore renewable energy freaks have enjoyed this film. Humorous and informative. -PC
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