Rotary Club of Everett
The meeting of January 31, 2023 was called to order by President Tammy Dunn, marking the 5,481st meeting of our Club and the 29th in her year.
Our meeting was held at the offices of Neil Angst.
President Tammy led the group with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Thought of the Day. President Tammy decided it was time for some humor. She told us today is National Backward Day. The day provides a way to reverse, reflect or just look at things differently. She cited Leonardo DiCaprio writes numbers and letters backwards! Who knew - other than a devoted fan!
Introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests
- Kari Petrasek introduced District 5050 Governor-Elect, David Lukov.
- Kaye Phinney introduced Ryan Willis, from Coastal Community Bank. Ryan’s membership application has been approved by the Board!
- Laura Zorick introduced guests Aaron and David Krueger.
- Kurt Miller, today’s program presenter, introduced his guest, Mark Funk.
Announcements
- Heather Barnhart told us the Blood Drive is Marck 31st from 9-3 at the Everett Elks.
- Ed Petersen provided the Dajabon School Project update, as well as our water project in the Dominican Republic.
- President Tammy introduced Susie, from the Providence General Children’s Foundation. They are taking See’s Candy orders, to be delivered at our next meeting. The Foundation provides scholarships, donates to local charities, as well as the hospital.
- Jim Staniford told us about the Dawson Place fundraiser at the Silvertips game on Sunday, March 12th.
Happy Dollar$ and Birthday Buck$
- Kari Quaas is relieved that Ralph Quaas is recovering from a bad fall. Whew-good news!
- Steve Miller: was honored in Florida for the age 35+ national water ski team. Congrats, Steve!
- Jim Staniford announced - for a second time - about the Dawson Place fundraiser at the Silvertips game on Sunday, March 12th!
- Don Steward spoke on behalf of Paul Stoot, who wanted us to know he got lost coming to our meeting!
- Greg Lineberry reminded us that we could purchase See’s candy for the hospital workers. Great suggestion!
- President Tammy was happy to let us know the WIAA announced the 3A & 4A State Baseball playoffs will be in Everett May 26 & 27, 2023. WooHoo!!!
Raffle Winners
- Governor-Elect David Lukov: red wine & Camp Fire candy
- Greg Lineberry: wine & Camp Fire mint
- Kari Petrasek: wine and leather bookmark, made by Mark Valentine
Note: It was mentioned that Krissy Davis needed to offer Happy Bucks!
Program
The Lower Snake River Dams: An Increasingly Critical Par of Our Clean Energy Future
Presented by Kurt Miller, introduced by Kari Petrasek.
Kurt began his presentation explaining how the clean energy future and the lower Snake River dams are related.
- The multi-state Pacific Northwest region provides 40% of our nation’s hydropower
- Washington State has a low energy burden.
- A slide showed 6 cogs specifically labeled “Pollution, Reliability, Affordability, Climate, Land Use and Electrification “. The inter-connected cogs reflect 6 “gears” of the energy policy.
- Washington State passed a carbon-free law in 2019, to be effective by 2045.
- Wind Generation and Solar Power are great for non-carbon energy but they are not great when the temperature is 90+ because the wind flatlines; we can’t rely upon them alone.
- Supply and demand are becoming more variable since 2020. By 2025, we could be faced with rolling blackouts!
- Energy rates could jump as high as 25+ percent
- An action-image photo showed a dam’s release of water to provide power, proving one picture is worth a lot of words.
A lively discussion with questions/answers followed the informative presentation.
President Tammy thanked Kurt for a great program, Governor-Elect David Lukov and our visitors, concluding our meeting with a ring of the bell.
Respectfully submitted,
Kaye Phinney, ace reporter
NEXT PROGRAM: Annual Fundraiser, presented by President Elect Neil Angst
