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Editor of the Day: Craig Nelson
Photography by Michael Conner
President Dick Troncone opened the meeting and introduced Greg Pyke for the inspirational moment, Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”. Steve Hubbard led us in “America” accompanied by Joltin’ Joe Zakowski on the ivories. The incomparable Bert Wahlen brought us another Club 33 History Minute and then got us up to speed on the news of the day, highlighted by Obama-care and a prognostication that the recession has hit bottom.
Past President Stan Hartman called for next year’s Board nominations to be submitted to either him or Pauline. The election is right around the corner folks. Bink Cook did the honors of
presenting a Paul Harris Fellow to Martha Dennis. James Buley did a fine job of introducing himself as a new member including the fact that he is a 3rd generation Rotarian. Proud Papa Buley came all the way from New Hampshire to see his son indoctrinated in Club 33.
Mr.Buley also raked in the bag of energy efficient devices showered upon him by Chair of the Day Frank Urtasun. After 28 years at Sempra, Frank knows where all the goodies are hidden and made it worth Mr.Buley’s trip as the Rotarian from the farthest distance.
Frank gave a grand introduction of our speaker, Debra Reed – President and CEO of
SDG&E. While Ms. Reed has had an impressive string of accomplishments in her career, the focus of her talk was the future of energy. Driven by technology, Reed envisions more progress taking place in the filed of energy in the next 10-20 years than over the previous 100.
There are already over 200 clean tech companies based in San Diego alone and some of the astronomical grants being provided under the stimulus package will ensure rapid growth in all of these technologies. Debra insinuated that, while rates weren’t going down anytime soon, technology was going to allow the consumer the ability to manage their energy bills by managing usage toward off peak hours.
SDG&E has already installed 50,000 “smart meters” in homes and is working its way up to 5,000 per week. The smart meters along with a partnership with Google will allow SDG&E customers to monitor and manage their energy from their iGoogle home page. Imagine managing your in-home appliances from your office, your car or your phone. Shutting them down during peak pricing hours and starting them back up as you make your evening commute. Can’t remember if you turned off the oven after you’ve left on the family vacation? No worries; just switch it off via iGoogle. Very Judy Jetson, very Debra Reed & SDGE.
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