How to use this community screening kit:

Transcription

1 The Electricity Fairy Community Screening Kit This film, more than any of the earlier films about coal, shows how citizens, activists, politicians, and industry people played their roles in the current energy debate. I think that many people should see this film as a place to START their own discussion about America s energy future. - Steve Fesenmaier, The Charleston Gazette The Electricity Fairy examines America's national addiction to fossil fuels through the lens of electricity. The documentary follows the controversy surrounding a coalfired power plant in southwest Virginia s mountains, connecting the local controversy to the national energy policy debate. The Electricity Fairy can be used to initiate conversation about how to create a more democratic energy policy, and to empower local communities to plan for a more sustainable future. Screenings can also strengthen networks between community groups, particularly between groups in the coalfields in southwest Virginia and the more developed urban and suburban communities that consume electricity produced by coal. How to use this community screening kit: This kit is designed to help grassroots groups facilitate community conversations about energy policy. This discussion guide is free, but you will need to purchase a low cost community use DVD from Appalshop. DVD s are available at or by ing appalshopsales@appalshop.org or calling Appalshop sales at We would love to hear about your screening ideas.

2 The Electricity Fairy Screening Kit Coal produces half of America s electricity and the energy policy currently before Congress identifies clean coal technology as a key to America s "energy independence. The Electricity Fairy is a documentary that examines America's national addiction to fossil fuels through the lens of electricity. The setting for this story is Wise County, Virginia, in the heart of the Appalachian coalfields. This region exports both coal and electricity, and the rugged mountain landscape provides an intimate view of national energy issues. Coalfields that began to be developed a century ago are nearing the end of their productivity, demonstrating the finite nature of fossil fuels. Remaining coal seams are increasingly difficult to mine, requiring radical techniques, including the removal of entire mountaintops, to access narrow seams of coal. Air and water pollution from coalmines and the power plants they supply spreads beyond the region and contributes significantly to global warming. Yet the economy of Wise County, like the economy of our nation, remains inexorably linked to coal and fossil fuels. During the fall of 2006, Dominion Power, a utility that describes itself as one of the nation s largest producers and transporters of energy, proposed construction of a new coal-fired power plant near St. Paul, Virginia. Local politicians project that the plant will produce more revenue than all of Wise County combined. Opponents say the plant will release dangerous amounts of mercury, sulfur, and carbon dioxide. The debate over the proposed Virginia City power plant can be seen as a microcosm of the national energy debate. Dominion and the plant s supporters project that electricity demand in Virginia will increase by 40% in the next 20 years, and that this plant will help meet that need. Coal is currently the nation s most abundant source of electricity. However, increased concern about global warming has lead scientists, environmental groups, and some politicians to call for a ban on new coal plant construction. Wise County is firmly in the crosshairs of the national debate over the future of coal. After a series of heated public hearings, the Virginia Air Board approved the air permit required for Dominion to begin construction of the power plant. Today local citizens are still working to oppose the plant and create a sustainable local economy.

3 The Electricity Fairy Community Screening Kit For More Information: Generate Awareness: Screening The Electricity Fairy will allow your organization to raise awareness about energy policy and our national dependence on fossil fuels. Organize Your Community: Screening The Electricity Fairy creates an opportunity to connect individuals with organizations organizing for a more just energy policy. Screening events in your community may also be used to connect organizations and build partnerships. Educate: The Electricity Fairy can be used as a teaching tool to let people know what s going on in their communities as well as providing insight into national energy policy. Fundraise for Your Cause: With The Electricity Fairy screening kits and discounted purchase of 10 or more DVDs to sell, you can pay for the cost of your screening and raise funds for your work.

4 The Electricity Fairy Screening Kit What is the most important point you will remember from the film? What strategies do people in the film use to create public policy? What examples in The Electricity Fairy show democracy working? Are there examples from the film that show democracy not working? What new questions about energy policy do you have after viewing the film? Dr. Ron Eller said, The fight over the power plant in Wise County represents a larger struggle to define progress and development in American society as a whole. What examples of opposing views of progress have you seen in your community?

5 Fact Sheet The Electricity Fairy Community Screening Kit Facts about Electricity Consumption (from U.S. Electricity demand increased by 9.8% per year during the 1950 s U.S. Electricity demand increased by 2.4% per year during the 1990 s U.S Electricity demand decreased by 2% during 2008 Facts about Coal and Electricity Production: In 2009, Coal produced 48 % of the United States electricity ( Mountaintop removal accounts for less than 5% of US coal production. (ilovemountains.org). The U.S. Geologic Survey predicts that Appalachian coal will last for the next one to two decades at current production. (usgs.gov) Results of the campaign against Dominion s Virginia City power plant: Mercury pollution limits reduced from 77 pounds to 4.65 pounds annually, 94% lower than the original proposal. Sulfur Dioxide limits dropped from 3,369 tons to 603 tons annually, a reduction of 82% Carbon offset measures to decrease the net impact of global warming emissions from the coal plant by 1.1 million tons annually, enforceable by Dominion s Clean Air Act permit. Energy Policy in Virginia A statewide group, the Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition, formed to work for a more equitable energy policy. ( The state s first utility energy efficiency legislation passed in 2009 and Dominion proposed its first ever energy efficiency portfolio in response

6 The Electricity Fairy Screening Kit PSA: You can send a PSA to local radio and TV stations. Calling to find out how to submit a PSA or community listing is best. The PSA template can be used for newsletter announcements as well as an for those who might be interested. Public Service Announcement Date: (Enter Today s Date) For immediate release Contact:(Insert your name and phone number) The Electricity Fairy Screening And Discussion When: On_ (insert day and date)_at_(insert time)_ Where: _(insert place, be specific)_ Who: The_(insert sponsoring organization)_ will host What: Screening of The Electricity Fairy documentary. Coal produces half of America s electricity, according to the Federal Department of Energy. The energy policy currently before Congress identifies coal as a key to America s "energy independence. The Electricity Fairy is a documentary that examines America's national addiction to fossil fuels through the lens of electricity. Appalshop Filmmaker Tom Hansell follows the story of a proposed coal-fired power plant in the mountains of southwest Virginia, connecting the local controversy to the national debate over energy policy. Present day documentary footage is remixed with old educational films, connecting past policy to America's current energy crisis. For more information _(insert local contact person)_ Or go to