Nancy LaPlaca
Energy consultant

Electricity: Let's Not Be Fossil Fools!
Nancy LaPlaca explains where our electricity comes from: coal, natural gas, hydropower, nuclear and renewable energy; and the non-fossil fuel alternatives for electrical generation, including energy efficiency. She discusses declining natural gas production, increasing price volatility for fossil fuels, and the costs of alternative energy, including wind, concentrating solar power and other solutions. She also details the hidden costs – “externalities” – of fossil fuel consumption, such as health costs from air pollution, water contamination and global warming. Her conclusion: We have the technology and tools to make the transition to clean energy now.

DURATION:
Shortest: 20 minutes
Standard: 40 minutes
Half-day and full-day seminars available

Colorado’s Energy Mix and Who Makes the Decisions: Doing More Than Changing Light Bulbs
This presentation is for people who are frustrated with the slow progress on energy policy and who want to do more than change light bulbs. Learn how to get involved in decisions on power plant permits, transmission lines, rulemaking, renewable energy plans, energy efficiency and other issues. What are the rules that determine who is part of the decision-making process? What are best practices in other states? Nancy LaPlaca has the answers.

DURATION:
Shortest: 20 minutes
Standard: 40 minutes
Half-day and full-day seminars available

Fossil Fuels and the Extractive Industries: 63% of Toxic Emissions, Only 1.5% of Jobs!
Coal-fired power plants emit 40% of all GHGs (greenhouse gases), plus 66% of sulfur dioxide (causing acid rain) and 33% of mercury, along with a host of other toxic substances. Electric power plants draw 48% of all water in the U.S. and consume (use up) as much as 80% of that water, depending on the cooling system. In this presentation, Nancy LaPlace discusses the true costs of coal-fired plants and why we should start phasing them out now. Example: The Province of Ontario, Canada owned both a coal plant and the local hospital, and wondered how much money the coal plant was costing them in hospital bills. Their finding? About 75% of the cost of the coal plant is actually hospital bills and lost productivity.

DURATION:
Shortest: 20 minutes
Standard: 40 minutes
Half-day and full-day seminars available

About the Speaker: Nancy LaPlaca, J.D. is working to promote renewable energy in place of fossil fuel plants, and advocates for including water, health effects, global warming and drought in determining the true “cost” of electricity. Nancy has worked to educate the public and elected officials on the risks of “clean” coal and carbon sequestration; intervenes regularly at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission; and serves as energy consultant for three candidates for the Arizona Corporation Commission. Recent projects include developing testimony on the escalating cost and decreasing availability of natural gas, and the risks associated with further investment in Liquid Natural Gas (LNG).

FOR BOOKING & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Email Michael@earthworks-expo.com or phone 970-416-8700