In recent months, the Jefferson County Energy Lunch Program has moved from outside direction and volunteer support to become a primary energy program of a new, local, for-profit energy development organization, the Jefferson County Energy LLC, or ELLC.

Being built by longtime backers of Energy Lunch programming, the new ELLC organization is pursuing local energy development activities in solar energy, wind energy, electric vehicle use, ammonia fuels and public works in energy, according to a press release. Also, it's intended to introduce a general energy planning process for Jefferson County residents, businesses and public agencies.

This month, Jefferson County Energy Lunch Program brings key speaker Dick Wanderscheid for a talk on “Developing Community-based Renewable Energy in Jefferson County” at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Port Townsend Yacht Club, 2503 Washington St.

Wanderscheid is the vice president of one of the most experienced renewable-energy development organizations in the country, Bonneville Environmental Foundation in Portland, Oregon.

Since 2011, Bonneville Environmental Foundation has extended its territorial reach from the Pacific Northwest to many other U.S. states, and the scope of its operations has grown to include community-based renewable-energy projects in general (both solar and wind), water resources management and an expanded portfolio of renewable-energy certificates.

The Jefferson County Energy Lunch Program is an activity of the new Jefferson County Energy LLC and is sponsored by Sunshine Propane, Alaska Power & Telephone Company, Huber’s Inn, Port Townsend Media, Power Trip Energy and the Port of Port Townsend.