Thank you to everyone who attended the COLAB Fall Forum on October 2 at the Pioneer Museum in Pasi Robles. COLAB is a 501 C6 organization and part of our mission is to offer educational services. The event was an outreach to present expert opinions on a critical topic that we all struggle to understand.
Our speakers did an excellent job of outlining the challenges facing California energy production and gave a realistic glimpse at what could be in our future as our state leaders struggle with keeping the lights on while at the same time pushing a shift to unreliable, and in many cases, yet unbuilt energy sources.
Author Edward Ring provided a stark description of the costs involved with green energy sources and the unlikely chance that our state could become energy independent with just those sources.
Eric Daniels, Senior External Affairs and Public Policy Representative for PG&E provided many important insights about the process going forward for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant as well as the many factors that drive costs for consumers. Surprise – regulation and red tape is expensive!
Ben Oakly, Manager of State and Coastal Issues for the Western Petroleum Association shared details that mainstream media ignores regarding the cost and availability of fossil fuels. Again, we were all shocked to learn details of the government’s role in driving up prices and scarcity.

COLAB Board Member Ben Higgens did a masterful job of moderating the panel and threw out a few spicy questions that elicited informative responses.
Many elected officials and pre-elected officials (candidates) attended and had great opportunities to greet old friends while making new ones. The food, catered from Carla’s Kitchen in Morro Bay, was nothing short of excellent. Nobody left hungry! And a fixture at COLAB events, bartender Jim Killion, kept the beverages flowing.

Again, thanks to those who attended. If you missed it, we hope that you will make our next event which will be announced later in the Fall.