Economic situation!
In the last seven years, Sparksville has grown to a population of 70,000. You have been an effective
mayor and are planning to run for re-election.
However, a disturbing viral video recently surfaced on the Internet, raising serious questions about
the city’s aging infrastructure and energy plans that could damage your re-election bid.
This is the video transcript to give you an idea what it is about.
Narrator Paul Walker: In the last seven years, Sparksville has grown to a population of 70,000. You have
been an effective mayor and are planning to run for re-election.
Narrator Paul Walker: However, a disturbing viral video recently surfaced on the Internet, raising
serious questions about the city’s aging infrastructure and energy plans that could damage your reelection bid.
Larry: Not so long ago, Sparksville prided itself on being a healthy environmental home for its residents
and the other species sharing this biome.
Larry: But, is that still true? Look around at what’s happening: a battery chemical spill at the hybrid
plant,
Larry: rolling brown outs because our power grid can’t meet our needs, an ancient hydro power dam
that’s costing more to maintain than to tear down, increasing air pollution because of our commuter
culture and the reliance on fossil fuels…
Larry: The list goes on and on. What is our community doing to reduce our reliance on non-renewable
polluting energy sources?
Larry: The sustainability of our future demands we start doing something about renewable energy!
Larry: My blog “Eco-Watch Now!” has asked lots of these questions but we’re getting no answers from
our elected leaders!
Larry: Join us now to keep asking these questions until we get the answers we deserve!
Kendra: See what I mean? Talk about biased! If you ask me, this guy’s just trying to get some notoriety.
Colin: Yeah, well he’s getting a lot of hits on the internet. Could be a threat to your re-election bid.
What are we going to do about this?
Student: Kendra, you’ve been exploring renewable energy sources. What can you tell us?
Kendra: Solar and wind are the primary options, at least for this region. They’re clean and renewable,
but costly. But, who knows about public acceptance?
Student: Colin, your staffers have been looking at non-renewable energy sources. What have you got?
Colin: Oil, natural gas, and coal. We could also buy electricity from the neighboring state, but that’s
generated by nuclear power.
Colin: All of these sources are sufficient and relatively affordable, but they’re dirty in terms of pollution.
Student: In light of this video, it looks like we should explore renewable sources in greater depth. Let’s
get a meeting scheduled with that blogger.
Larry: Wow, you actually showed up. We don’t see many politicians in environmental labs. What can I
do for you, Mayor?
Student: Dr. Odin, your video was biased and overblown, but I wanted to reach out and get your views
on the energy issue in person.
Larry: Well I’d have to disagree, but we don’t see many politicians here in the environmental lab so I’ll
cut you some slack. Call me Larry.
Student: Ok Larry. Help me understand the complicated balance between non-renewable and
renewable energy sources.
Larry: Yes, it is complicated, but this university is full of smart people trying to solve problems, right?
With the right resources and technology, imagine what we could do!
Larry: For example… take a look at this computer model I created to analyze both energy usage and
sources. It plays like a game but it could be used to solve real-world problems!
Kendra: So, the famous Larry Odin, the gentleman who made that “interesting” video.
Larry: OK, the video was a little over-the top but at least it got your attention right?
Colin: I’m sure there’s a good reason you’re here at our meeting today. Which is?
Student: I met with Larry at the University, and he showed me his computer model that analyzes energy
uses and sources. He’s here to discuss the results of my run-through with the model.
Larry: It was a great performance! I’d say it could lead to “Secretary of Energy” on a business card some
day! I’m feeling encouraged to say the least.
Kendra: That’s fine for now, but did you consider the future growth of Sparksville?
Larry: Of course I did! That’s what a model is for. But I didn’t build that into this prototype. I just set the
parameters for the next 5 years to see if the model would work.
Student: Colin and Kendra, what recommendations do you have for the next 25 or 50 years?
Kendra: Oh that’s just great! The third time this month!
Student: Call maintenance – see what’s happening.
Colin: Don’t bother. The power is off all around us. I can see all the traffic lights are out. As far as longterm solutions, we haven’t come up with any recommendations.
Colin: But we have been working up a list of possibilities for more research…like conservation and
zoning.
Larry: Yes, that certainly does sound like our government hard at work…
Colin: We need to share our ideas! Communication will be essential to make any real progress on this
issue.
Larry: Yes, that’s for sure. Let me set up a wiki for all of us to collaborate on possible solutions. You
might be surprised what we discover.
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