Beyond the Light Switch

Comprehensive and timely, BEYOND THE LIGHT SWITCH adds a much-needed and balanced perspective to a national energy debate that will surely become more heated and more critical than anything since health care.

BEYOND THE LIGHT SWITCH airs at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, May 11 (Part 1) and May 18 (Part 2), with re-broadcast at 12:30 a.m. on Fridays, May 13 (Part 1) and 20 (Part 2). WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits over the air on 36.1, and is seen on Cox cable 08/HD 708, Verizon 08/HD 508, Full Channel 08, Dish 7776, DirecTV 36, Comcast HD 819; Massachusetts subscribers of Comcast standard definition should check local listings for channel designation.

By 2050, America must completely transform its entire electrical infrastructure, a challenge equal to the mobilization efforts for World War II.

To do this, we must rebuild most of our existing electric power plant infrastructure, cut carbon dioxide emissions by 80%, and completely update our power grid – while simultaneously accommodating an expected thirty percent increase in demand. Our modern lives depend upon electricity. But what is the answer? Renewables? Coal? Natural gas? Nuclear? A super grid? It's a complicated and confusing issue for almost everyone.

Hosted by Scientific American Magazine's David Biello, and guided by an independent advisory panel, BEYOND THE LIGHT SWITCH lays out the energy facts and conundrums facing all of us.

Shot on location throughout the United States and featuring interviews with government leaders, industry experts, researchers, innovators, environmentalists, utilities, journalists and authors, BEYOND THE LIGHT SWITCH thoughtfully explores the trade-offs of carbon capture and storage, hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, a nuclear renaissance, the costs of solar power, the sprawl of wind power, and the feasibility of a super grid.

Show Me What You've Got, Rhode Island PBS!

With hundreds of items of all shapes, sizes, and value available, how do organizers of the Rhode Island PBS Spring Auction show off more of the great merchandise before the event? Put everything online, plus produce a short preview special!

"We already have more than 700 auction items donated this year," said Auction Director Jeffrey Hartley. "In this economy, that speaks to the enormous generosity and support of our donor companies and individuals." He added, "There literally is something for everyone, and in every price range."

Jeff Hartley, who lives in North Smithfield, has been the Rhode Island PBS auction director for seven years, and an employee of WSBE Rhode Island PBS for 21 years. In that time, he has seen technology undergo a huge revolution, and he has kept pace by moving more and more auction activity online.

"This year, for the first time, we have every single Spring Auction item available online," Hartley said. "Last year, we featured the spotlight items - items of higher donor value - and [online bidding] was well received. This year, everything is online, from a $10 pizza to the $24,000 Prius."

Fans of the popular annual event who do not have online access can still watch it live on television and call in to place bids, Monday April 20 through Friday, April 24, beginning at 7 P.M.

"All bids will be placed online, whether it's by the bidders on computers at home, or by the volunteers taking bids over the phone in the studio," Hartley explained.

This year's auction has a Green Gallery that showcases environmentally-considerate goods and services, including the top dollar-value item, a Toyota Prius hybrid sedan, donated by Your New England Toyota Dealer, plus a Vespa LX 50, donated by Vespa Newport and Providence Motorsports.

Conducting the auction online opens it up to a world-wide audience. "Last year, we had auction winners from all over the country, even as far away as California," Hartley said.

Casting a wider net using the 'Net increases visibility and positive exposure for the station – and the many businesses that donated. But it's still the close connection to the local community that differentiates Rhode Island PBS from other public television stations.

"The heart and soul of Rhode Island PBS are our members, donors, and volunteers," Hartley stated. "There is no greater proof of that than our Spring Auction."

More than two dozen of the 700 auction items are featured in a short special preview show that airs at various times throughout April:

• Friday, April 10 at 7 P.M.
• Sunday, April 12 at 9 P.M.
• Tuesday, April 14 at 1:30 A.M.
• Wednesday, April 15 at 2:30 P.M.
• Friday, April 17 at 7 P.M.
• Saturday, April 18 at 1:30 P.M.
• Sunday, April 19 at 11 P.M.

To view auction items, bid, or for more information about the online auction, visit ripbs.org.

Roger Williams University Pushes "Planet Forward" (Rhode Island PBS)

PLANET FORWARD is an innovative, viewer-driven program that debuted on the Web and culminates in a primetime special on Rhode Island PBS on Thursday, April 30 at 8 PM. (The show premieres on nationally around Earth Day, two weeks earlier.)

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning CNN veteran Frank Sesno, the broadcast is driven by people’s ideas about the nation’s energy future. The most provocative and interesting submissions to the Web site will be featured in the broadcast, taped before an audience at George Washington University and featuring experts, scientists, policy makers and business leaders, as well as the selected citizen journalists.

Featured experts include:
•Carol Browner, assistant to President Obama for Energy and Climate Change
•James Connaughton, chairman, Bush White House Council on Environmental Quality; currently executive vice president, Constellation Energy
•Shai Agassi, founder and CEO, Better Place
•L. Hunter Lovins, president and founder, Natural Capitalism Solutions

Of huge local interest is the participation in this project by nine Roger Williams University journalism students. The eight seniors and one junior spent three intense weeks in January producing and editing their videos for submission. Their work so impressed the PLANET FORWARD folks, the students have been invited to the taping of PLANET FORWARD taping in Washington, DC.

Here are links to a variety of sources for more information, including:

An informative article by Gina Macri published in The Providence Journal

RWU students promote their videos:

Planet Forward (RWU) also has a group page on Facebook: www.facebook.com