Community Conversations: 100% Renewable- Let’s Talk About It

Community Conversations: 100% Renewable? Let’s Talk About It!

Across the U.S. over 25% of the population lives in a community that has committed to achieving 100% renewable energy. Locally, Keene and Peterborough have passed warrant articles committing to this goal and many other communities are adding renewable projects to meet their town’s energy needs. At this Community Conversation, we will examine the ways local communities are planning for and using renewable and sustainable sources.

Community Conversations is a series that examines local issues through a local lens. At each conversation, a panel of local experts share their views and knowledge. Then the conversation is opened for all to ask questions, make comments, and discuss solutions. Community Conversations are free and all are welcome.

The 100% Renewable conversation features three panelists who have been working in Peterborough, Harrisville and Temple and across the region:

Dori Drachman, Peterborough

Dori Drachman is co-leader of the Peterborough Renewable Energy Planning (PREP) Team, tasked with developing the plan for transitioning the entire town to 100% renewable energy usage. With a background in education, Dori previously worked as a classroom teacher and as a teacher/naturalist for the Harris Center for Conservation Education. More recently, she has devoted her time to meeting the challenge of the climate crisis. She is co-chair of the Board for the Monadnock Sustainability Hub, a member of the Peterborough Energy Committee and of Peterborough’s Community Power Task Force. 

Bev Edwards, Temple

In 2007, Bev Edwards became the chair of the Temple Energy Committee, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency efforts for all sectors of the Temple community. In 2011, she became the Coordinator of the Monadnock Energy Resources Initiative, a regional non-profit organization offering free weatherization trainings and barn-raiser solar installations. Since 2018, Bev has been working with the Temple Renewable Energy Task Force. Bev is a retired mental health consultant, a mother and grandmother.

Andrea Hodson, Harrisville

Andrea Hodson works in community as a volunteer. Most recently, Andrea has volunteered for the Town of Harrisville as member of the Select Board, Co-Chair of the Electric Aggregation Committee, and Board representative to the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire. Harrisville was the first town to vote to authorize Community Power at its Town Meeting in 2021 and is now charting its course toward implementation. Her professional niche is human resource development and administration, teaming with others to develop and implement strategies aimed at developing organizational competency. A particular area of interest and specialty is online training and communications systems design. She lives and gardens on Main Street with her husband, cat, and half a dozen chickens.

Jeanne Dietsch, Moderator

Jeanne Dietsch is a member of the Community Conversations committee and has directed Granite State Matters podcasts on topics of Energy Policy and on Climate Change Impacts including Energy in NH: Why We Pay & Pollute More.