This article outlines an issue-based lesson for a physical science course in which students investigate potential alternative energy sources for Alternatown, a fictitious city. Students are randomly selected to serve as town council members or as representatives of different alternative energy source options put before the council. The representatives make presentations that promote their energy source, then the class discusses those sources and community involvement in decision-making. Students gain a general understanding of various alternative energy sources and recognize that deciding among them is complex with no one right answer. Students learn that groups of people must work together and often compromise with those who have opposing views. (The lesson requires six class periods of about 50 minutes each.)