Local Self-reliance

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance works to help urban residents gain greater control over their lives through the use of low-technology, decentralist tools and concepts. Because we believe that city dwellers and country folks alike can profit from the institute's admirable efforts, we've made this "what's happening where" report by the ILSR staffers one of MOTHER's regular features. If you would like to know more, you can have a free catalog of ILSR's selection of books and pamphlets by sending the institute a self-addressed, stamped envelope ... or become an associate member for a tax-deductible $35 per year ($50 for institutions) and receive both a periodic report on the institute's work and a 20% discount on all the group's publications. Write to ILSR, Dept. TMEN, 1717 18th Street N. W., Washington, D. C 20009.

November 1982, when the Northwest Conservation Act Coalition made public its Model Electric Power and Conservation Plan for the Pacific Northwest, marked the first time in American history that citizens have developed their own detailed regional energy proposal (referred to in this column as the "model plan").

Ten years ago, utility planners (who routinely did their work in secret) predicted a quadrupling of the Northwest's demand for electricity by 1990. To meet that need, it was decided that the region—having exhausted its major hydroelectric capacity—should build up to 50 coal and nuclear power plants, and the area utilities wanted the Bonneville Power Administration to finance this construction. However, the BPA was established in 1937 to distribute—not produceelectricity ... and in order for the agency to finance such plants, new federal legislation was necessary.

Many area residents have opposed this expansion of BPA's authority, which, in effect, centralizes planning in a federal agency originally set up to promote the widest possible consumption of electricity. Despite this opposition, the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act became law in December 1980. But because of the efforts of people interested in an energy—efficient future, the law-as finally enacted—requires citizen participation. In fact, for the first time, the basic data necessary for decisionmaking are open to public scrutiny. And an independent body, the Northwest Power Planning Council, was created and given a central role in developing a long-range plan for the region.