Second in a series
Re “The Congenial Man Behind the Solar Panels”
[img]1413|left|Mr. Murley||no_popup[/img] Near the bottom of the voluminous agenda for Tuesday night’s School Board meeting in Council Chambers is this intriguing item about the School District’s solar consultant, Clyde Murley:
“Due to the increasing number of requests and increased workload, it has become necessary to increase Mr. Murley’s contract by $15,000 to cover additional invoicing of time. As such, the new total reflected on the contract will be $83,000,” a substantive bump from his originally agreed upon $68,000.
In anticipation of the Board’s enthusiastic affirmation, Supt. Patti Jaffe said the raise covers “things he probably will have to do” before the solar panels installation is completed next June.
The Man Is Different
For all of the hysteria generated by opponents and backers of solar power, Mr. Murley, the District’s designated maven, is an anomaly, as low-key as the two choirs are shrill. It looks like a case of opposites loving each other.
“I have been a public interest advocate my entire career,” he says. “I have worked on renewable energy and environmental issues because I care a lot about the environment, and I think renewable energy projects are part of the solution for creating strong environmental protection.”
Question: Where did the seed of public interest come from?
“It was a combination, parents school and others. I had one pivotal discussion with my best friend’s father. I was 13 years old. At that point, I wanted to be a professional bowler or a professional baseball player.
“We spent 2½ hours in a car going to their weekend house. He talked and talked with me. At the end of that car ride, I now had decided to do something in the public interest, whether it was environmental or social, I didn’t know. He helped me understand that it was more meaningful tome not to swing a bat, but to try and do something to advance humankind’s well-being.”
Did you come from a serious home?
“Yes. My father is a retired engineer. My grandfather, whom I am named after, was a minister, also a philosopher of Latin, Greek and classical studies at Northwestern University. I never met him. But he always has been a source of inspiration to me, given how much he focused on what the meaning of a good life is.”
When you were 13, solar did not occupy the centerpiece of worldwide attention it does today.
“That is true. When I was 18, I became very interested in energy issues after I read a book called ‘Energy for Survival’ by Wilson Clark. It still is a classic. I am sure it is out of print, but it shouldn’t be.
“That book was another pivotal moment in my life. I already knew I was interested in environmental issues, but now I saw how absolutely central the solving of energy issues was. That has been my path of study and practice ever since.”
(To be continued)
