To whom it may concern:

My name is Kevin Doran. I would like to start by telling you a little about who I am and how I became interested in energy conservation. For several years, I was entrusted with taking care of my two grandparents, both of whom were in their 80s. At the same time, I tried returning to school to attain my goal of earning a degree in renewable energies and sustainability. Due to the complexity and time required to care for my elderly grandparents, school had to be put on hold but the passion I have around renewable energies and sustainability remained, so I continued my research. During my research, I discovered several new and interesting things. Some of these things were building material and renewable energy technologies. It has become my belief that the general public does not know about many of the resources and technologies that exist today and the affordability of them. There are many different ways to improve our living spaces without huge upfront costs to the homeowners, that will save them money in the long run. At the same time, I also discovered that many of the technologies for free energy that exist are not being utilized, or homeowners are being deterred from using them, by increasing grid charges or creating stipulations making it impractical for people who want to go solar.

The technology available today has changed all energy uses. First, we have the ability for individuals to produce their own energy on their own property. Technology has advanced to the point that it would be possible for the State of Arizona to produce energy without burning any fossil fuels. However, the ability to do this is being stopped by the energy companies themselves and state laws. The energy companies make it difficult for homeowners and communities to produce their own energy with solar panels or wind by raising grid charges to the point where it becomes impractical to use solar energy since there ends up being no difference in a homeowner’s energy bill. In addition, the energy companies are also making it difficult for homeowners to go solar by limiting the number of people who can go on the solar grid. Also, subdivision rules and state regulations are also making it difficult for people to use solar or wind energy on their own property. The technology that we have today in renewable energies has made it possible for the average homeowner to take their house off the energy grid and produce their own energy with solar or wind, but the decision to do so has been taken away from them. And now, we have newer and longer lasting solar panels, battery packs, and wind energy systems that can be established within a small community, backyards, parks, or recreation areas, but subdivision rules and state laws are impeding a homeowner’s civil rights to choose using these technologies. long pieces for formal style occasions

Some improvements in today’s technology have been in the development of new solar panel designs and in battery packs and wind systems. Some of the solar panels that are going to be available soon are solar shingles. There are also flexible solar panels, which can be installed on any home and used in many ways to produce energy. However, subdivision rules, power companies, and state laws will prevent homeowners from using them. Some other new developments currently available are American and European wind trees, which are smaller versions of the giant windmills we all know. They have a unique and artistic design, take up less space, and need less wind to produce enough energy to supply an average home with nearly all of their energy requirements. These smaller versions, which can be put in yards, parks, and recreation areas, can even medians in the middle of boulevards. When I drive down the streets of Phoenix, or in many other communities there are medium strips laced with fake trees, cacti, and other artistic features. Why not put something that is artistic, but also has a practical purpose and produces energy for area streetlights or nearby homes or businesses to use?

What I propose is to change the way people think about renewable energies and the capabilities we have in producing our own energy within the state. I would like to unite many different companies and tradespeople to come together and build one small community to highlight the possibilities. The small community of just a few houses will have at least one house that people will be able to tour and see the true potential of what can be within their own home and in their own neighborhoods. This one small community will showcase the new technologies that are available for individual homeowners. There will also be a small park in the community that will have a pool. Everything in the park will be powered by renewable energy sources. There will be lots and pathways shaded by solar panel overhangs, and picnic areas that are solar and wind generated energy areas. The park will also have a utility building, which houses batteries to supply power when there is no sun or wind. This entire project has the potential to change the way people truly think about renewable energy within their communities and see firsthand the possibilities available for their use. I am planning to stake my own house on this investment. I would like to see other companies use their name to help this dream become a reality while highlighting their own technology.

In closing, I would like to leave you with a final statement, “A dream is not truly a dream if it can become real.” This quote came from a great man who once told me it is possible to make any dream real if you truly believe in it. He was my grandfather, Kenneth Watson. It’s time for the citizens of the State of Arizona to stand up for our rights to use the technology available.