THE REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR

19 Mar THE REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR

On a cold winter day in 2003, four electric cars sat on Telluride’s main street waiting to be driven.  No one knew much about them, yet the town was excited. Telluride Town Councilman Chris Myers had started a movement to educate the community about the wonders of the electric car.

Now, close to ten years later, electric cars are very visible in America, and Telluride’s Wilkinson Public Library is hosting the film The Revenge of the Electric Car. This documentary, by Chris Paine, chronicles the movement in America that helped to bring about this revolutionary vehicle. The free community screening of The Revenge of the Electric Car will air tomorrow, Wednesday, March 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the program room at the library.

It was about seven years ago when Chris Paine became a figure in the Telluride community.  Convinced that he wanted to live the life he was preaching, Paine sought out help from local environmentalist and lighting engineer Chris Myers.  As owner of Enlighten, a company that specializes in energy-efficient lighting design, Myers holds many of the same convictions as Paine.  It is not surprising then that after installing energy-efficient lighting in Paine’s local condominium, the two like-minded individuals became good friends.  Over time, Myers came to work on Paine’s environmentally conscious demonstration home known as the Marrakesh House.  Adjacent to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City, California, this home was remodeled according to Paine’s motto “use as much existing material as possible in order to significantly lower the carbon footprint this home.”

As a member of Telluride Town Council and as a friend of Chris Paine’s, the Wilkinson Public Library saw Myers as uniquely positioned to introduce the film and then lead an illuminating discussion on what our local community is doing in regards to alternative energy.  Although Myers was not directly involved in the filming of Paine’s latest documentary, he is in contact with the director and will be able to answer questions about the film.

To learn more about Chris Myers’ relationship with Chris Paine, his perspective on alternative energy, and how much money he has saved by driving a Toyota Prius, you can listen to this Interview with Chris. Refreshments will be served during the film and a discussion hosted by Chris Myers will follow.