Rita Schenck: “Energy Independence- Then and Now”

Rita Schenck earned a BS from the University of Washington and a Ph.D in Biological Oceanography where She specialized in Biogeochemistry. She represented the US as an international expert in developing standards for the new science of life cycle  assessment, and founded and directed the American Center for Life Cycle Assessment. On Vashon she did several studies of the energy, land use and the potential for energy independence. That $500,000 study showed that achieving net zero energy using renewable energy was technically feasible socially acceptable and financially desirable for the island.