We are finally where Edison, father of modern electricity, predicted. Solar capacity has surged 418 percent since 2010. It is now cheaper to provide electricity from solar than from coal, nuclear or even natural gas on a utility-scale basis. And, once built, there are few additional costs – unlike coal, we’re not mining sun every day to feed our solar plant. Little water is used to extract sun. No toxic chemicals are released on extra sunny days.

LPEA is faced with a stark choice this year: to move forward into the 21st century with clean, local, affordable renewable fuels like solar, or to continue to buy $72 million of electricity from coal-fired plants. Transformation is not without challenges and will not be overnight, but it is coming. Germany is working toward 100 percent renewable energy, even though it has far less sunshine than Southwest Colorado. China and Japan are bringing on huge amounts of solar each year. Let’s not be left in the dark ages.

This week, two people are running for LPEA’s board, for two separate districts in La Plata: Alison Dance and Jeff Berman. They will ensure this energy transformation in a sensible and efficient manner. If you get an electric bill, you will receive a ballot that includes either Alison or Jeff. Please, vote for our energy future: Vote for Alison Dance or Jeff Berman for LPEA.

Doug Walker

Durango