In this issue:
SmartPower Expands to Massachusetts with other New England states on the Horizon!
Massachusetts Kicks Off "GreenUp Program"
New England Governor's Set Renewable Energy Priorities!
Mass Energy Hosts Awards Program
Connecticut Climate Change: Yale-Connecticut Summit
Connecticut's Energy Future Returns to CPTV
Corporate America Slowly Embraces Clean, Renewable Energy
 
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SmartPower Expands to Massachusetts with other New England states on the Horizon!
Due to the rapid growth and visibility of SmartPower's message of "clean air, healthy communities and energy independence, all through clean, renewable energy use," SmartPower has announced immediate plans to expand its marketing campaign to select cities in Massachusetts with an initial intensive direct marketing campaign in Worcester. It is anticipated, though not official, that in 2004 SmartPower will also expand into Rhode Island and Maine. The selection of Massachusetts and potentially other New England states was a result of geography and an energy climate that demands an active and constant marketing presence.
"Within the month SmartPower will begin building on the successful launch of the Massachusetts ‘GreenUp’ program led by National Grid subsidiary, Massachusetts Electric,” said SmartPower Executive Director Brian F. Keane. “SmartPower will augment Massachusetts Electric renewable energy program with a consistent marketing voice so that ratepayers, principally in the Worcester area, but also throughout Massachusetts who are covered by Massachusetts Electric, are aware of the availability and benefits of clean, renewable energy.”
SmartPower has been active in Connecticut by successfully creating a "buzz" for renewable energy among municipalities, colleges and universities, and the many religious communities in the state. SmartPower's strategy is to emulate its past successes with institutions such as Yale University and the City of New Haven and take the lessons learned immediately to Worcester and then beyond. It is widely viewed that the collaborative marketing approach led by SmartPower is a major reason for Connecticut's heightened awareness of renewable energy as well as the emergence of the Connecticut 'Green Option Program' scheduled to be introduced at the beginning of the year. This same strategy will now tackle the respective challenges of other New England states.
It is the current plan for SmartPower to mirror this activity in Rhode Island when the National Grid subsidiary Narragansett Electric unveils its “GreenUp” program. As details of the Rhode Island green options program become more specific, SmartPower will have a concrete plan in place to exponentially increase the adoption of clean, renewable energy to Narragansett Electric Companies and grow the customer base for the renewable energy suppliers that enter the Rhode Island market.
"Our collaborators are excited to work with SmartPower to bring our marketing approach to other states in New England," continued Keane. "Each collaborator has significant skills and experiences with different segments of the population that we see as being natural 'early adopters'. Their commitment to our strategy is a key to our success and the expansion of the renewable power market in our target states."
In Massachusetts and all future areas of expansion, SmartPower also plans to expand the number of collaborators in its marketing efforts by reaching out to groups such as the health care community. "We have seen time and time again," said Keane, "that clean, renewable energy use is a healthcare issue. Those in the healthcare industry should be early adopters of clean, renewable energy because their future advocacy of clean, renewable energy use will directly result in fewer pollutants emitted into the New England air, resulting in reduced asthma rates and other lung problems."
SmartPower plans to continue to keep its headquarters in Hartford and use Connecticut as both its base of operations as well as the primary example for its successful marketing efforts. "Connecticut remains the perfect state to unveil our marketing programs," said SmartPower spokesperson Jonathan Edwards. "We consider Connecticut to be a bellwether state that will lead the nation in a sea change to clean, renewable energy use. Massachusetts and many other states down the road will certainly benefit from our ongoing efforts in Connecticut."
Connecticut Climate Change: Yale-Connecticut Summit
On Friday, September 19th, the Governor's Steering Committee on Climate Change was in New
Haven at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies to learn from leaders in the hydrogen community about how hydrogen technologies can help with greenhouse gas reductions. Joining officials from the Governor's office on this important initiative were leaders of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry, along with noted industry experts.
Companies and organizations represented were PSE&G, Clean Energy Group, General Electric/GE Global Research, UTC Fuel Cells, the Tremaine Foundation, Hydrogen Source and several other notable organizations. Many individuals who attended the one-day meeting at Yale have been deeply involved as stakeholders in the Governor's process to "identify a diverse set of innovative policies and market-based solutions" to impact climate change.
Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies have long been considered central to any long-term solution to the growing problem of greenhouse gas emissions in Connecticut and throughout the world. Because Connecticut is the world leader in these technologies, the Governor's Steering Committee on Climate Change is working hard to learn from industry experts on how Connecticut can benefit both environmentally from greenhouse gas reductions and economically through job growth.
The meeting, co-sponsored by Yale University, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, Environment Northeast, and the Center for Clean Air Policy focused on three major components of the hydrogen and fuel cell economy. Transportation and Fuel Cell Vehicles, Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation and Fuel Cell Forms, and the Hydrogen Infrastructure were topics discussed with the following goals in mind:
1) Identify the costs, R&D needs, penetration rates, and timing for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in Connecticut.
2) Identify innovative policy and market-based solutions that can be recommended to the Governor's Steering Committee to support hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in Connecticut.
3) Determine the potential reduction of greenhouse gases through policy and market based approaches that would be implemented in Connecticut.
4) Identify opportunities for public-private and public-public partnerships to further Connecticut's leadership in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
Governor's Steering Committee on Climate Change
 
Connecticut's Energy Future Returns to CPTV
CPTV recently announced that it will re-broadcast this fall the widely acclaimed television series, “Connecticut’s Energy Future,” hosted by Ed Asner. This series, co-sponsored by SmartPower and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, is a five-part documentary on the challenges Connecticut faces in the future to meet its growing and diverse energy needs.
While the schedule for the fifth part of the series is yet to be announced, the schedule for the first four parts of the series will be:
Part I
Tuesday, November 4th – 11:30pm
Saturday, November 8 – 12noon
Part II
Wednesday, November 12 – 11:30pm
Saturday, November 15 – 12noon
Part III
Tuesday, November 18 – 11:30pm
Saturday, November 22 – 12noon
Part IV
Tuesday, November 25 – 11:30pm
Learn more about CPTV
 
SmartPower
phone: 860-249-7040
 

 
Volume 1; Issue 5, November/December 2003
Greetings!
With the Summer a fading memory but the reality of the August Blackout still fresh in the minds of us all, SmartPower, along with the entire energy industry is experiencing a fall that has energy policy and the makeup of the electric grid on the front burner of policy makers, opinion leaders and many utility companies across New England.
The activity across New England is coupled with the official expansion of SmartPower beyond its origins in Connecticut to include Massachusetts and an anticipated additional expansion into Rhode Island and Maine in 2004. The events of late August have reinforced that energy policy, including the marketing of clean, renewable energy is a regional issue and the actions of various states have an impact on their respective neighboring states.
As a regional organization, dedicated to the marketing of clean, renewable energy, SmartPower will be able to more effectively utilize its strong marketing principles and its message of "clean air, healthy communities and energy independence "to expand the number of ratepayers who adopt clean, renewable energy, not only in Connecticut, but also in Massachusetts by the end of 2003
and in other locations throughout 2004. There is no question that the shared renewable energy assets and suppliers of these three states will enhance each state's drive for renewable energy and that of the region as a whole.
In this issue of The Monthly Charge, our readers will see how these states parallel each other with clean, renewable energy use and the respective direction of each state.
Finally, on a side note, congratulations should once again go to SmartPower Executive Director Brian F. Keane for his receipt of the Hartford Business Journal's "Forty under Forty" award. This HBJ award demonstrates the leadership of SmartPower in the clean, renewable energy industry.
 
Read the full article
Massachusetts Kicks Off "GreenUp Program"
After months of work to set up a program that maximizes the opportunity for Massachusetts ratepayers to purchase clean, renewable energy, Massachusetts Electric Company in September kicked off its much-anticipated GreenUp program.
On September 16, 2003 in Quincy, Massachusetts, officials from Mass Electric, Doug Foy, Chairman of Commonwealth Development in Massachusetts, Quincy Mayor William Phelan, Robert Varney, Director of the EPA Region I in New England, and representatives from the four renewable energy companies involved in this project joined together to demonstrate the many benefits of clean, renewable energy.
According to Robert Varney, "GreenUp provides Massachusetts Electric consumers the opportunity to make a choice that is good for the environment by choosing renewable energy."
Mass Electric customers wanting to purchase clean, renewable energy can fill out and submit a postcard found as an insert in their September electric bill to select one of four suppliers to meet their clean, renewable energy demand. Mass Electric is enclosing this piece and an informational flyer as a means to promote this groundbreaking program in their coverage area of Massachusetts.
As an introduction to the program, President and Chief Executive Officer of Massachusetts Electric, Cheryl LaFleur that the
utility was "making it easier for [Mass Electric] customers to make an investment in renewable energy sources, while at the same time supporting the renewable energy market in New England by providing renewable energy firms with access to potential customers."
The firms that will be providing green-e certified, renewable energy to Mass Electric customers are CET & Conservation Services Group, Inc., Community Energy, Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, and Sterling Planet.
CET & Conservation Services Group, Inc.: http://www.greenerwattsnewengland.com/
Community Energy: http://communityenergy.biz/
Mass Energy Consumers Alliance: http://massenergy.com/
Sterling Planet: http://www.sterlingplanet.com/sp/index.jsp
Learn more about GreenUp!
View GreenUp coverage map for Mass Electric (PDF)
New England Governors Set Renewable Energy Priorities!
The governors of the six New England states, together with the five premiers of Eastern Canada convened on September 7th through 9th for their 28th annual conference. To highlight the increasing importance of clean air and the potential solutions to climate change inherent in clean, renewable energy use, the regional leaders devoted the entire last day of the conference to discussions and resolutions focused on environment and energy issues.
Among the many topics discussed by the conference leaders was an obvious concern with the recent direction change by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding clean air guidelines. The governors and premiers all voiced concern over the EPA's lack of willingness to satisfactorily regulate climate change issues. Of specific concern was the EPA's August 28th decision to deny a petition to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.
In addition, it was evident that an important aspect of the solution for climate change issues being discussed by these leaders revolved around the use of clean, renewable energies. Two resolutions of note were passed:
RESOLUTION 28-7
Resolution Concerning Environmental Projects and Issues
WHEREAS, air quality in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canadian Provinces is significantly influenced by trans-boundary air pollution as a result of major emission sources lying upwind and pollutants transported into the region by prevailing wind patterns; and
WHEREAS, the link between air pollution and public health continues to be of significant concern to the northeast region, and the Conference has successfully developed and supported regional cooperative actions through the NEG/ECP Acid Rain Action Plan to address trans-boundary air quality issues; and
WHEREAS, energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy are important components of the strategy to enhance energy security, public health, economic development, environmental protection; and enhanced continental energy independence; and
WHEREAS, diesel engines are a source of several pollutants of concern that adversely impact the environment and public health; and
WHEREAS, the region has achieved a 55% reduction in mercury emissions, exceeding the 2003 goal of the NEG/ECP Mercury Action Plan, and continues to progress toward its 75% reduction target for 2010; and
WHEREAS, the continued implementation of the NEG/ECP Climate Change Action Plan is focusing on developing energy efficient and economically beneficial strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from sources in the northeast and help our region's economy and environment adapt to the impacts of climate change.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers directs its Committee on the Environment to continue to seek funding from federal agencies in our two countries, to support efforts in the northeast region compatible with the goals and programs of the U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers commends the successful efforts of its Acid Rain Steering Committee, Mercury Task Force and Climate Change Steering Committee, and accepts their reports and next year's work plans as submitted to the Conference; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Conference directs its Committee on the Environment to work with the Northeast International Committee on Energy to review the status of energy efficiency, conservation programs, and the use of renewable energy in the region and report back to the next meeting of the Conference with recommendations to promote energy security, economic development and energy conservation through such programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers directs its Committee on the Environment and the Northeast International Committee on Energy to:
- Evaluate "smart growth" approaches to land-use and development and seek recommendations for implementation;
- Continue to develop the administration, tracking and reporting framework for a voluntary regional greenhouse gas registry; and
- Work to develop voluntary partnerships with cities, towns, and businesses to increase the efficacy of our climate change work.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers supports reducing emissions in heavy duty diesel vehicles to protect the public health, particularly of our children and citizens with respiratory ailments. The Conference directs its Committee on the Environment pursue appropriate options to reduce diesel emissions; encourage the early introduction of cleaner diesel fuels in the region; promote anti-idling initiatives; and enhance education for the public on the benefits of diesel clean-up programs.
Adopted at the 28th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, September 7- 9, 2003.
A subsequent resolution was also passed that encouraged the EPA to revisit their August decisions.
 
RESOLUTION 28-8
Resolution Concerning Equitable Air Pollution Control Strategies
WHEREAS, the U.S. EPA has recently made significant changes to the rules governing New Source Review ("NSR") under the Clean Air Act; and
WHEREAS, these changes abandon the fundamental principle that new sources of air pollution must be required to minimize their emissions using the best control technologies available, and that existing sources that undergo significant expansion or upgrade should be held to same standards; i.e. the new rules allow operators to make significant investments in expansions and facility upgrades without having to install new pollution control equipment; and
WHEREAS, the NSR rules constitute a critical strategy to reduce, not only emissions of pollutants, but also the transport of pollutants over long distances; and
WHEREAS, the New England States and Eastern Canadian Provinces are experiencing significant detrimental effects on public health, the environment and their economies from the transport of pollutants to their region, to the point that their attainment of national, health-based, air quality standards is in jeopardy and their industries face disproportionate costs associated with additional pollution controls that they will be required to install if upwind emissions are not addressed aggressively; and
WHEREAS, the New England States and Eastern Canadian Provinces understand that reform of the NSR program is warranted and is designed to alleviate the financial demands of unnecessary transaction costs, but believe that such reform should not come at the expense of environmental quality or economic equity in their region;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers finds that the new NSR rules adopted by the U.S. EPA do not provide adequate protection for the public health of the citizens of the New England States and Eastern Canadian Provinces, and impose unfair economic conditions on their businesses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers call on the governments to establish air pollution control strategies which require all sources to utilize or upgrade to the appropriate pollution control technologies;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers call upon the U.S. EPA to reconsider its revisions and recommit to protecting the public health of all citizens, and uphold the spirit and the letter of the Clean Air Agreement between Canada and the United States in 1990.
Adopted at the 28th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, September 7- 9, 2003.
Learn more about the New England Governors' Conference
Mass Energy Hosts Awards Program
Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, a leading provider of clean, renewable energy in Massachusetts, recently held its annual meeting which included a presentation of awards to four leading individuals and organizations in the effort to increase clean, renewable energy use in Massachusetts. The awards were given in areas of public service, advocacy, private sector leadership, and member of the year.
The recipients of this year's awards were:

City of Newton Mayor David Cohen received the Public Service Award for his work as a leader in promoting municipal use of renewable and sustainable energy and his commitment to wind and solar energy.

Dan Ruben, Board member with Mass EnergyCitizens Alliance (left,) and The Honorable David Cohen, Mayor of Newton, MA.
The Union of Concerned Scientists received the Advocacy Award for its"long-standing commitment to innovative thinking and citizen advocacy for a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world." Special recognition was also given to UCS for its efforts to develop renewable electricity standards to protect the environment and reduce the cost of electricity.
Lighthouse Electrical Contracting, Inc. received the Private Sector Leadership Award for its "industry leadership in installing photovoltaics, providing local jobs and expertise, and asserting a progressive vision of renewable energy technologies as part of everyday electricity use."
And, finally, the Massachusetts Audubon Society received the Member of the Year Award for, among many reasons, its demonstrated commitment to renewable energy use by setting high standards for 'green buildings' and for working with Mass Energy to "create a green power product for Massachusetts consumers that meets the highest possible environmental criteria."
In addition to these awards, Mass Energy shows its commitment to renewable energy use by being one of the four providers of clean, renewable energy as part of the Massachusetts Electric Company's “GreenUp” program.
Learn more about Mass Energy
Corporate America Slowly Embraces Clean, Renewable Energy
Two companies of vastly different sizes each recently announced their respective purchase of clean, renewable energy. Both Pitney Bowes Corporation, headquartered in Stamford, CT, and Brooklyn-based Brooklyn Brewing Company both released information regarding their purchase of renewable energy certificates. It appears that this is the beginning of a trend that could result in a dramatic change in the way that private industry uses their buying power with energy providers.
In a released statement announcing Pitney Bowes new relationship with Sterling Planet, Inc., Pitney Bowes chairman and CEO Michael Critelli stated that the company sees this as "an opportunity to encourage other major corporations to consider green power in their energy management strategy."
The Pitney Bowes purchase from Sterling Planet's "Green America Program" is an amount of renewable trading certificates equal to 10 percent of its entire U.S. and U.K. home office consumption of electricity.
Of equal significance is the recent announcement by the Brooklyn Brewing Company that they have made a 20% wind energy purchase from Community Energy. According to Community Energy, this five-year purchase of 100% wind energy by Brooklyn Brewing Company "represents the first brewery in the Eastern U.S. to convert to wind power and the first commercial building in New York City to convert 100% of its electric load to wind."
About their wind purchase, Brooklyn Brewing Company President Mary Markowitz stated “at Brooklyn Brewery, we believe in corporate responsibility. We believe in being a good citizen in our community. [Further] buying wind power from Community Energy is the right thing to do, and it's good business."
The growing examples of clean, renewable energy purchases are simultaneous with a new collaboration among eleven U.S. businesses, working with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), to create a "green" power market within private industry.
Corporate members participating in this collaboration known as the Green Power Market Development Group (GPMDG) include DuPont, General Motors, IBM, Interface, Johnson & Johnson, Kinko's and Pitney Bowes. According to a release from Pitney Bowes, "the group hopes to identify its first sources of cost-competitive green power within the year, either from national, regional, or local energy sources. These will be from renewable sources and clean power technologies."
Two principal goals of this group are to initially foster market demand for clean, renewable energy and to obtain 10 percent of their respective energy supplies from "renewable sources at competitive prices," according to Paul Tebo, vice president for safety, health and the environment at DuPont.
Learn more about Community Energy
Learn more about Green Power Market Development Group
Learn more about Sterling Planet