A Lopez couple is hoping to make strides in Thailand’s energy policies through dialogue among government officials and journalists with U.S. experts in renewable energy.
Chris and Chom Greacen are helping lead a group of 30 Thai lawmakers, energy regulators, staff from the Ministry of Energy, Thai utilities, activists, and media representatives on a study tour of Oregon and Washington solar, wind power, hydropower, and nuclear projects. They will also attend meetings with renewable energy professionals and government officials. The tour is from Sept. 27 through Oct. 5, and a smaller group – consisting of Thai activists and television reporters – will visit Lopez from Oct. 5 through 10 to document the island’s sustainable energy practices.
The goal is to promote discussion on energy through site visits and meetings with progressive peers and clean energy leaders, such as the Oregon Department of Energy, Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy, Northwest Power Planning Council, and numerous non-profit energy organizations. The exchange will also foster contacts between Thai and U.S. regulatory authorities regarding tariff setting and long-term planning.
Chom, who is from Thailand, worked for the Ministry of Energy for four years, and their motivation for this tour comes in part from her involvement in energy policy making in Thailand. “We saw that there was an opportunity and a need for informed civil discussion,” said Chris.
“Thailand is debating whether or not to go nuclear. Large power plants are being built left and right in Thailand. Washington and Oregon offer progressive examples of how to meet growing energy demand through conservation and renewable energy. We wanted to expose these Thai energy policy makers to green practices,” said Chom.
Chris and Chom, who both studied energy in graduate school, lived in Bangkok for eight years, where they started an energy advocacy non-profit group called Palang Thai. Chris grew up on Lopez, and the couple moved back here in March of this year.
They worked closely and will co-lead the tour with Lopez resident Michael Karp, who is the CEO and President of A World Institute for a Sustainable Humanity (A W.I.S.H.), an international nonprofit organization that serves as an umbrella organization for over 100 projects in 40 countries. A W.I.S.H is hosting the event, and has been acting as the fiscal agent for Palang Thai.
Karp, a public interest energy policy expert, is using his relationships with top tier energy decision-makers in the Pacific Northwest to facilitate Palang Thai’s exchange. Chris, Chom and Karp will all return to Thailand in the winter to de-brief the energy regulators there.
The Blue Moon Fund provided funding support for the tour through A W.I.S.H. The Thai government and utility participants are paying for their own airfare and accommodations.
The trip to Lopez is for the Thai journalists and activists to “see some great examples of Lopezians trying to live sustainably. Lopez community members also have an interesting history of engagements in the anti-nuclear struggles, so we hope that their experiences will help inspire Thai people to start asking questions,” said Chom. San Juan County is a nuclear-free zone.
Chom and Chris will take the group on a tour of sustainable energy homes on the island, including the newest Lopez Community Land Trust (LCLT) housing community, which has a net zero energy goal. The Greacens will be living in one of the LCLT homes when they are completed.
Chris and Chom are also planning to engage community members in discussions and interviews with the Thai journalists. A dinner potluck is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7. Please call 468-2812 or email chomsgreacen@gmail.com if interested in participating in the discussion.
For more information about the tour go to www.palangthai.org/docs/TPNWProgramBook.pdf.
