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| A Message from the SmartPower President,
Brian F. Keane |
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 “America is addicted to oil,” the President said during his most recent State of the Union Address. And a collective gasp could be heard throughout the nation – especially in the clean energy community. Was this really President Bush acknowledging that America can and must use clean energy?
In fact it was. And the reason is clear: The President and his advisors must be seeing the same polling and the same trends in the clean energy market that we’re seeing here at SmartPower. Our on-going marketing research shows us that the American people are more ready to buy clean energy today than at any time since the 1970’s. The War in Iraq, the high price of gasoline, unsettling weather patterns and the influx of hybrid cars are coalescing and becoming the impetus for people to clamor for clean energy.
And perhaps most interesting is that our research is showing us that this increasing support in clean energy is not simply held by a small niche market of hard-core environmentalists. Rather we are seeing that increasingly moderate-leaning, SUV-driving male Americans are actually getting concerned America’s energy independence – and they are looking to clean energy as a solution. These are exciting trends in the market, and we’ll be sharing them with you more in-depth as our polling and focus group research comes in.
In the meantime, this issue of The Monthly Charge is further proof of the growing excitement in clean energy. Literally across the nation there are exciting and dramatic stories about clean energy – from Whole Foods Market’s landmark purchase of clean energy, to our continuing partnership with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and our “Clean Energy Communities Program”. The 20% by 2010 campaign now has 19 Connecticut communities supporting clean energy – and the list is growing. Furthermore, our efforts to export the program to other states is taking off!
On a note of personal pride, SmartPower was truly honored to receive a Gold Medal from the Service Industry Advertising Awards! In the season of the Olympics, we could not be more proud to know that such a well-regarded and impressive advertising award has recognized our marketing and messaging campaign. Joining the likes of Verizon, Mastercard and Marriott as Gold Medal winners, SmartPower is indeed among impressive company.
Of course, the award is truly a testament to the collaborative nature of our efforts. The Clean Energy States Alliance and Lew Milford, its executive director, deserve tremendous thanks for helping to make this television campaign happen. This award is theirs as much as it is SmartPower’s. Joining in the effort to create the message was the visionary leadership of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, The Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Fund, the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. And of course none of this would have been “real, here and working” without the direction, passion and commitment of Lyn Rosoff, Richard Earle and the folks at Gardner-Nelson and Partners in New York.
Let’s make more!
Brian F. Keane |
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| Whole Foods Market Commits to Clean Energy |
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Whole Foods Market recently announced that it will offset 100% of the electricity used in all of its stores, facilities, bake houses, distribution centers, regional offices and national headquarters in the United States and Canada by purchasing wind renewable energy credits. This historic purchase makes Whole Foods the only Fortune 500 Company to offset 100% of its electricity use.
Listed as one of the top 25 partners in the EPA’s Green Power Partnership program. Whole Foods is purchasing more than 458,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy credits from wind farms across the country. This will avoid more than 700 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution this year, which is equivalent to planting more than 90,000 acres of trees or taking more than 60,000 cars off the road. Whole Foods is to be commended for its leadership and commitment to clean energy which will in turn help to drive the development of new renewable energy sources for electricity generation throughout the U.S. |
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Rhode Island Governor Chooses Wind |
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Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri has announced a five point plan to reduce energy costs and increase supplies that includes increasing the state’s use of renewable energy. The State Energy Office and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation have begun to collaborate on a project designed to facilitate the development of wind power. Calling the wind power initiative RIWINDS, Carcieri noted that the state will finance a study to determine the feasibility of generating as much as 150 megawatts of electricity from wind turbines, enough to power about 150,000 homes. The Governor hopes that this wind power project will eventually provide 15 percent of the state’s energy needs. We applaud Governor Cariceri for pushing wind power for Rhode Island. |
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Yale School of Forestry & Environment goes 100% Clean |
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The Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
(FES) recently announced that beginning this year it will offset 100% of its electricity use through June 2008 by purchasing wind generated renewable energy credits (RECs) from Sterling Planet. Having joined the SmartPower 20% by 2010 campaign in 2003, the school previously purchased certificates for 20% of its annual electricity use. This school’s leadership in supporting clean energy is an example for other schools, businesses, governments and individuals throughout the nation to follow. |
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Announcements & Upcoming Events |
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MIT Enterprise Forum's Ignite Clean Energy (ICE) entrepreneurship competition is seeking academic and professional teams that are developing the next generation of clean, renewable, or efficient energy technology. The ICE competition aims to give Massachusetts entrepreneurs a competitive edge in the funding race by training contestants in the best practices for creating money-winning presentations and gaining recognition from the energy venture community. Open to all professionals living in Massachusetts, or students at a Massachusetts colleges or universities, the Energy Special Interest Group of the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge are offering competition awards of $125,000 to entrepreneurial activities in the clean energy field.
Feb. 18-19 - Mark your calendar for the seventh annual Connecticut River Eagle Festival in Essex on February 18-19, 2006. The Festival provides an opportunity to view the majestic birds from prime spots, and learn about energy, the environment and wildlife in the same day. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of free activities in and around Essex, including land-based eagle viewing tours, environmental lectures, live birds of prey programs, duck carving demonstrations, musical entertainment, art exhibits, children’s programs and much more.
And for the second year in a row, the festival will feature clean energy, thanks to a Clean Energy Exhibition sponsored by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. At the Clean Energy tent, clean energy companies and supporters will be on hand to demonstrate the available technologies, discuss clean energy programs and answer your questions. In addition to this, staff from SmartPower and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund will be available to answer questions and provide information on selecting CTCleanEnergyOptionssm through your utility provider, the 20% by 2010 Clean Energy Campaign and the CTCleanEnergyCommunities program.
March 7-9 – NESEA’s Building Energy 2006 conference at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, MA. Organized by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), Building Energy is a professional conference and trade show that brings together experts in the field of renewable energy and green building. The 32nd annual conference will feature three days of speakers, workshops and special events that will inspire, challenge, enlighten and inform you about the practice of sustainability. Participating as the Public Forum Co-Sponsor and, for the second year in a row, Track Sponsor, SmartPower’s “Making Green and Clean Happen” track will include sessions on improving our ability to effectively deliver capacity to the marketplace. SmartPower’s own Brian Keane, Jonathan Edwards and Bob Wall are featured speakers at this year conference. Leaders interested in discussing a variety of energy related topics shouldn’t miss this conference!
March 15-16 – Electric Utility Consultants, Inc. (EUCI) presents their 3rd Annual Marketing Green Power conference –“Strategic Marketing Strategies to Increase Customer Adoption of Green Power Programs.” Held at Hotel Intercontinental in Dallas, Texas the conference is intended to assist utilities in designing and marketing green power pricing programs. Conference speakers represent market leaders, potential partners, and utilities that have pioneered green pricing programs. Providing insight on the design, launch and adoption of green power programs, speakers will discuss overcoming challenges in order to develop successful programs. Register today to participate in this important discussion, focusing on key drivers that led to the success of the top green pricing programs in the country!
April - Celebrating the success and one year anniversary of the CTCleanEnergyOptionssm program SmartPower will be presenting “Clean Energy Week.” Clean Energy week will consist of events and activities in which Connecticut individuals, towns, residents and businesses will be recognized for their leadership and support in choosing clean energy. Stay tuned to learn about the upcoming details! |
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SmartPower |
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phone: 860-249-7040 |
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Volume
4; Issue 1, February 2006 |
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| From the American Revolution to the Clean Energy Revolution |
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| BREAKING NEWS! Hartford’s rising star began shining even brighter on Tuesday night. With significant support of Mayor Eddie Perez, the city of Hartford voted to commit to the SmartPower 20% by 2010 Clean Energy Campaign. In becoming the 2nd New England Capital to commit to the campaign, Hartford also qualified for a FREE 1kw solar energy system from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund when it voted to join the campaign. |
Three of Connecticut’s most historic towns have become the latest communities to commit to clean energy by joining the SmartPower 20% by 2010 Campaign (including Hartford, see above). Collectively, nineteen municipalities in the state have now taken a stand for energy independence.
On January 24th, the Glastonbury Town Council voted unanimously for a resolution calling for 20% of the town’s electricity to come from clean, renewable sources by the year 2010. In doing so, the town automatically qualified for a free solar energy system from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund because it has more than 100 households that have signed up for the CTCleanEnergyOptionssm program.
Further south along the banks of the Connecticut River, the Essex Board of Selectmen fired another salvo for clean energy by joining the SmartPower campaign on February 1st. Essex is now headquarters for Noble Environmental Power, a renewable energy company that is majority owned by J.P. Morgan Partners. The town will have an opportunity to become a Clean Energy Community when it hosts the 7th Annual Connecticut Audubon Society Eagle Festival on February 17-18.
“By pursuing aggressive energy strategies and investing in clean energy technologies, towns like Glastonbury and Essex are exhibiting the same Yankee ingenuity that has served them well in the past and will allow them to thrive in the 21st century,” noted SmartPower’s New England Regional Director Bob Wall.
This month we also saw an addition to the rapidly growing list of Clean Energy Communities. Mansfield celebrated its 100th CTCleanEnergyOptionssm customer at a ceremony in which Mayor Elizabeth Paterson congratulated Middle School student Chad Vincente for achieving his goal of pushing Mansfield over the top.
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| Mansfield Middle School student Chad Vincente presents a certificate to the Brandon Family, Mansfield’s 100th CTCleanEnergyOptions customer. |
Required to choose an environmental project for his 7th grade special studies class, “Advisor and Advisee”, Vincente chose to focus on getting 20 Mansfield residents to sign up for the CTCleanEnergyOptionssm program, allowing the town to realize the 100 residential signup threshold needed to qualify for a free 1kW solar energy system. “I wanted to work on an environmental project that I knew would make a difference in my community and my future,” Vincente commented. “Choosing clean energy today lets parents positively impact their children’s future health, environment and energy independence.” Vincente created an informational flyer on clean energy and distributed them to all Mansfield public schools. Reinforcing these initial efforts, Vincente also e-mailed Mansfield town employees and encouraged them to support clean energy by signing up through their local utility provider CL&P.
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| Chad Vincente comments on the importance of supporting clean energy through signing up for CTCleanEnergyOptions. |
“Chad’s determination to get Mansfield residents to invest in a clean energy future really demonstrates that young people today are committed to making their community a better place by creating energy independence, a healthier community and cleaner air,” stated SmartPower Program Coordinator, Keri Enright. “Achieving the status of a clean energy community makes it evident that clean energy is here, real and working for Mansfield residents and others across Connecticut.” |
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| Going for the Gold |
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 Right in time for the Winter Olympics, SmartPower has received a Gold Medal of its own for Best Television Advertising Series in the Third Annual Services Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA). The SmartPower ad, “Houses”, which was created by Gardner Nelson & Partners Agency as part of the multimedia campaign coordinated with the Clean Energy States Alliance, took first place in the Utility Services Category. Featuring the voice of actor Peter Gallagher, “Houses” informs viewers that “America produces enough clean energy to power every home in eleven states.” It is one of four television ads that were unveiled in 2005 to demonstrate that clean energy is a powerful and reliable source of electricity, capable of powering hospitals, stadiums and factories throughout the country.
 SIAA is the only advertising award to specifically recognize the creativity and communication accomplishments of the service industry. In this year’s competition, more than 1500 entries were submitted in ten groups and twenty-five categories including newspaper, magazines, billboards, television and radio. Joining SmartPower as gold medal recipients are Verizon, Marriott, MasterCard and Time Warner Cable.
 “Recognition by the SIAA is a tremendous honor,” said Brian F. Keane, President of SmartPower. “To have our non-profit marketing campaign recognized by such a highly coveted award in marketing and advertising, is indeed gratifying. This award is further proof that clean energy is real. It’s here. And it’s working.”
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| SmartPower Statement on Increasing Energy Prices and it's Impact on the Clean Energy Options Program |
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The recent dramatic increase in energy prices in the United States and specifically in Connecticut has caused alarm for many. For SmartPower and over 6,500 customers of the Connecticut Clean Energy Options Program, this latest crisis demonstrates once again, the need for America, and more importantly the Northeast, to diversify its energy portfolio.
The continued over reliance on coal, oil and nuclear energy in our nation and region reminds us of the need to invest in and use clean, renewable energy. Clean energy today is as strong and as reliable as electricity created from coal, oil and nuclear sources. More important is that clean energy is produced from sources that will never run out, will not harm the environment, and will help lead us to true energy independence. As such, with clean energy as a solid piece of our energy portfolio, the wild fluctuations in energy prices that we see today caused by petroleum can one day become a thing of the past.
Sadly, in today’s oil and gas-laden marketplace, when oil and gas prices rise, it is often the clean energy market that takes the hit. Under the CTCleanEnergyOptionssm Program, Connecticut residents pay a premium on top of their current electricity price in order to support clean energy. Their support helps create more clean energy which over time, will help drive down the costs of these important resources. But, during this particular winter, that is little solace. With rising gas and oil prices, these “early adopters” feel the squeeze on prices a bit more dramatically – especially with a 22% increase for many Connecticut ratepayers.
SmartPower applauds the customers of CTCleanEnergyOptions Program as true marketplace heroes. It is their leadership – and their commitment to energy independence and a clean energy marketplace that will lead us ultimately to price stability and a sound energy portfolio for our nation.
In fact, President Kennedy could have been speaking of the CTCleanEnergyOptions Program when he said: "There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and the costs of comfortable inaction."
Connecticut has made sustained and unprecedented progress in the clean energy market. To be sure, we cannot afford to simply embrace “comfortable inaction”. Now, in the face of high energy costs we cannot turn back the clock on the progress we have made. While thousands of Connecticut consumers have done their part, it is now time for our leaders to do theirs. Steps must be taken to alleviate the burden placed upon clean energy adopters. SmartPower stands ready and willing to explore these opportunities and work with all stakeholders to ensure that Connecticut’s leadership in the clean energy marketplace continues unabated.
Clean energy. It’s real. It’s here. And it’s working. Let’s make more.
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| Sierra Club: Walking Their Talk |
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|  The Connecticut Sierra Club will soon take a bold step by challenging its approximately 12,000 chapter members to take personal responsibility by signing up for clean energy. Working together with SmartPower, the Sierra Club will issue a direct mailing in late February asking all eligible members to enroll in the CTCleanEnergyOptionssm program. The Sierra Club’s 20% Challenge has set a lofty target of getting 20% of its state membership to support clean energy. In addition to the mailing, the Sierra Club will publish appeals in its quarterly newsletter, the Q, and on the state chapter’s website.
“We wish to show the world there are solutions to today's problems,” said John Callandrelli, the Sierra Club’s State Program Director. “It's up to us to take action and the environmental community (which is everyone) must have integrity. In the context of clean energy, this means walking our talk by taking daily steps towards true energy independence. The first of many solutions is to sign up for the Clean Energy Option on our electric bill.”
Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club has been instrumental in preserving nature’s most splendid wild places, including Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon National Park and the Florida Everglades to name just a few, helping to protect over 150 million acres of wilderness and wildlife habitat. The 20% Clean Energy Challenge is part of a strategic initiative to create jobs, protect our environment and make America safer and more secure. |
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| A Winning Combination for Rhode Island |
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 Clean Energy and onsite generation were central themes at the Rhode Island Center for Agricultural Promotion and Education’s (RICAPE) first session in a series on Agritourism Training and Professional Development. Held at Save the Bay Education Center in Providence, RI, the session featured a number of special presentations aimed at enhancing agritourism and marketing for Rhode Island farm sites and nature based attractions. Among the featured speakers were Mike McMahon, President of RI Economic Development Corporation, Allen White of Bio-Sun Systems, Abe Noe-Hays of Advanced Composting Systems and SmartPower’s Keri Enright.
Focusing on energy efficiency and clean energy technologies, Enright shared insights on the topics of onsite solar, wind and biogas installations, energy efficiency techniques for farm buildings and homes and renewable energy state and federal incentive programs. Workshop participants were particularly interested in the use of onsite generation as a mechanism for coping with the increasing costs of energy while also serving as an education tool for site visitors. “Onsite renewable energy generation will provide me with a unique opportunity to educate visitors on how new innovative technologies can complement traditional agricultural activities resulting in a better understanding of the importance of farming in Rhode Island” commented a workshop participant.
Stewart Nunnery, Director of RICAPE, also pointed out that onsite renewable energy technologies, such as solar PV systems, would help draw more visitors to participate in the “Farm Quest” program, a new program that invites children in grades 4-8 & 9-12 from local schools and community groups to visit and learn about Rhode Island farms. The enthusiastic response from workshop attendees clearly demonstrates that renewable energy for Rhode Island farm sites and nature based attractions are a winning combination! |
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| Business & Universities Lead the Way in Massachusetts |
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The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Purchasers (MREP) program recently announced the largest group purchase of clean energy made by multiple Massachusetts-based businesses and institutions. Included in the group of clean energy purchasers are Amherst College, the John Merck Fund, Mount Holyoke College, Oak Foundation, Perkin Elmer Optoelectronics, Sasaki Associate, Inc., Smith College and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, whose combined purchase is more than 20,500 MWh of wind generated power. Community Energy, Inc., the vendor, will supply 100% renewable energy that is developed from new wind resources and Green-e certified.
The clean energy purchasers are members of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Purchasers (MREP), a program formed through the strategic partnership of the Center for Resources Solutions (CRS) and Think Energy, Inc. MREP aims to provide business and universities with the knowledge and expertise to purchase renewable energy products. Through aggregating their purchasing power, members are able to obtain best terms and services from renewable energy vendors.
“The businesses, foundations, and universities making this purchase are leaders who will pave the way for all of Massachusetts, and ultimately the entire nation, to take advantage of new opportunities to buy renewable power,” said Mark Crowdis, President of Think Energy, Inc. Jan Hamrin, President of the Center for Resource Solutions, adds “With this large purchase of energy from clean renewable sources, these businesses and institutions will contribute to cleaner air, help reduce our dependence on fossil and nuclear fuels, and advance as community and environmental leaders.”
In collaborative partnership with SmartPower, Think Energy and CRS are currently in the process of developing New England Renewable Energy Purchasers (NE-REP), which will provide clean energy evaluation services to large energy users in Connecticut. The collaborators will host a workshop on March 2nd at Connecticut College in New London, CT. Presentations on aggregate purchasing and case studies will inform members about their various renewable energy options. Eventually the NE-REP team hopes to include all of the New England states. |
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| Pick a Number: Austin Holds Lottery for Clean Energy |
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They say that things are big in Texas. And right now, March is shaping up to be a particularly big month in Austin, the capital of the Lone Star State. Not only will the city host the annual South by Southwest music festival but Austin Energy will conduct a lottery to permit 1,400 lucky residential customers and 200 businesses to enroll it its “GreenChoice” program. What makes this program so unusual is that Austin is one of only four cities the country in which clean energy customers are currently paying less for electricity than non-subscribers.
Ranked by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as first in the nation for green power sales, Austin Energy’s Green Choice program accounts for approximately 520-million kWh of clean, renewable energy per year derived principally from wind and landfill gas. Nearly 400 Austin businesses subscribe to the program, of which 344 have enrolled for 100% of their annual usage – more than any other city on the nation. Furthermore, according to Austin Energy, the Austin Independent School District leads all public school systems nationwide, purchasing 45-million kWh annually.
SmartPower’s hat is off to Austin Energy and the many businesses, institutions and households in the city for providing dramatic proof that clean energy is real, it’s here and it’s working. And unlike most lotteries, everybody wins when it comes to clean energy! |
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