...consistently alert such activists to these kinds of meetings so that they can begin to understand the problems and solutions being offered by industry a little better.  The states, the utilities, the electric power industry are all actively working to retire old plants but need to be able to guarantee a secure supply of electricity throughout the region in all conditions.  If activist groups like 350MA want to be more than noisemakers, they need to understand the issues more deeply and offer their own alternatives, alternatives that make practical and business sense.  It is my observation that the industry will welcome their participation in such forums if they come without banners and listen as well as speak.

This is an excellent point that needs to be widely understood in the activist community.