The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan for Southern California, Invite Yourself to Participate

The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan is a document which will set out the path for the future of the deserts in Southern California. Called the DRECP for short, this is the first document of its type in a long time.

The DRECP is to be administered by the Federal and State of California governments. The players are the BLM (Bureau of Land Management - Federal), the US Fish & Wildlife Service (Federal), The California Fish & Wildlife Department (State), and the California Energy Commission (State Agency). These all form the umbrella of the Renewable Energy Action Team (REAT).

Two things are at its core: 1) welcoming green energy production into the deserts of Southern California; and 2) ensuring a smooth process for ensuring that the impact of green energy complies with environmental impact studies but does not get bogged down in that EPA process on a Federal and/or State level. In other words, it is a bureaucracy's attempt at streamlining a process.
Why the REAT wants a DRECP

In order to get a good plan, REAT has come up with a plan for including as many stakeholders as possible in developing the plan. This is the consultation phase of the process for the DRECP. We are here now.

Right now, between September 26, 2014, and January 15, 2015, the DRECP is in draft form, and is open for public comment. That means that everyone gets a say on some level. Directly.

That's a good thing.

Now get involved!

Its probably an overwhelming document, but if that is so, break it down. Get your neighbours and friends involved. Form a review committee. Everyone take a section, distill it down into an identifiable and digestible form. Review it. Decide on some comments.

Its ok if you don't all agree with your friends and neighbours on the comments, because you can each submit your own comments. Its pretty easy.

Here's the website:
Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan

and Here is both the access point for the document and how to comment:
DRECP Documents & How to Comment

If you can't get on line, you can request a copy of the document. They can sent you a CD disc, or a paper copy (try and save a few trees and learn how to access it on line though). You can also borrow it from the local libraries in the catchment areas (southern California), and at BLM Offices in Southern California. I think the US and CA Fish & Wildlife offices will also have copies (paper and CD) available.

Good luck... and may the GREEN FORCE BE WITH YOU... ok... a little carried away, but you get the idea.

Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan

Political Integrity

Yes, that's right. Political Integrity.

There is a large part of our population that believe that the phrase "political integrity" is an oxymoron.

I do not.

I have worked for politicians, in BC, the Yukon, and Alberta, and have to say that there are many politicians with integrity.

The majority of politicians are truly public servants.

While I didn't always believe in their policies, I know that they did, and that is sometimes what matters. Underlying even their policies was a desire to make where we live a better place for the citizens. To me, that is integrity.

President Obama has integrity. There are some historical Canadian politicians that have integrity: Prime Minister Trudeau, Premier Tommy Douglas; and world leaders: Mohandas Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Nelson Mandela.

Use your imagination to think of more. Not just politicians that you like or agree with, or were charismatic. Recall them from the broader spectrum: from the left, the right, socialist, capitalist, even historical and religious leaders like Jesus, and Buddha. They too were politicians.

I do not suggest that there are no politicians without integrity, of course there are. However, this is not about them.

How do you tell whether a politician has integrity? Easy: are they honest? Do they keep their word?

Are they willing to stand up and face tough questions?

Do they acknowledge the little people in their community?

Do they work to make life better for their constituents?

Do they propose solutions or do they sling mud?

Are they accessible? Do they answer the important questions from the people they serve?

Take the time to find out. That's your job. Don't just dismiss all politicians. Remember that you have a responsibility too. It is not just about whether you show up in the voting booth (but that is an important component too), its about making an informed choice.

Don't be afraid to find out who has and who does not have integrity.

Take part. If you don't have the answers, ask questions. Then listen carefully to the answers.

There are politicians that have integrity. They do exist. Find out who they are and what they are going to do for your community, for your country. Support them. They need you just as much as you need them.

Be an citizen with integrity. You may be surprised that you will discover politicians with integrity. They exist. They want to serve.

Confidence in government

This weekend will be one of historical significance for Canada.

Confidence in government? I need some. I also need the government to be accountable.

Six weeks ago, Canada had an election. The Conservatives did NOT gain the majority it wanted. For the last (almost) 3 years the government has had the same minority position. One of the things that has struck me personally about the Conservative government's actions since they came to power three years ago, is that they believe that they may act as if they do in fact have a majority in the House. They have started that again in this new term.

The Conservative have believed that they can continue with their agenda, believing that Canadians will just accept it.

Now it appears that the opposition leaders are finally listening to the people of Canada. We cannot afford to do more of the same in these economic uncertain times.

The Conservative know how to take care of their friends. They don't know how to take care of the average Canadian. They are NOT looking out for my family, but their own.

We are now in one of the worst recessions in modern times. Yet the Conservative government believes that they can ignore some of the basic tenants of being Canadian. The things that are essential to Canada: Health Care, Equality, Access to government, communication and transportation across a large land mass.

Our country is resource rich. However, if the rest of the world cannot afford our resources, it won't count for much. We don't need to be pinched and shoved into a position where we give away the store for next to nothing. We need to maintain control of our resources. The most valuable resource is people. We need to support the Canadian people, and give them what they need to survive and remain healthy.

The Conservative government has forsaken Canadians in favour of their corporate friends. They have forgotten that the driving force of getting out of a recession is the small business owner. Ordinary Canadians. People like you and me.

Our families are important. The Conservatives' arrogance needs to be stopped. They work for us, not the other way around. They are acting in an unaccountable fashion.

The NDP and the Liberal parties are finally in sync with the fact that this Conservative government needs to be stopped. They are in a position to bring a confidence motion on Monday. They can do it!

Thank goodness they put aside their differences so that the government can be accountable and take care of Canadians.

To the coalition of the NDP & the Liberals: bring it on! Do it for me!