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 Clean energy today is real, it’s here, and it’s working. And with 28 towns across Connecticut, as well as a growing number of towns in Pennsylvania and across the nation already buying clean energy, the momentum is palpable.
Yet, our work is far from complete.
This message was received loud and clear by SmartPower when the Board of Selectmen in Suffield, Connecticut voted last week to table indefinitely the opportunity to become a Connecticut Clean Energy Community.
By way of background, the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program is the effort spearheaded by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund to get cities and towns to “lead by example” by buying clean energy.
The tenets of the program are as easy as “1-2-3” as we like to say. First, the community commits to SmartPower’s 20% by 2010™ campaign. Second, the community signs up 100 residents to the Connecticut Clean Energy Options Program. And third, with those two objectives met, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund will give the community a 1 KW solar array. A $10,000 value to the town – totally free.
Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? Maybe that’s what the Suffield Board of Selectmen was thinking when they voted down the resolution that would have put them on the path to becoming a clean energy community.
Suffield’s decision, while surprising and disappointing, is also a dramatic wake up call to all of us. For all the success we’ve had over these past four years, our work is far from done. Public perceptions about clean energy – its effectiveness and availability -- are still holding back the clean energy market. The old impression that this is some crazy idea from the 1970’s is still far too prevalent. And concerns about the “costs” of buying clean energy are still not completely understood. As such, we will continue to see city and towns unwilling to lead in the creation of cleaner air, a healthy communities and true energy independence.
You would think that Hurricane Katrina, the War in Iraq and wildly fluctuating gas prices would be enough to spur people into action. And in so many communities it is.
But as Suffield demonstrated, we need to do more! At SmartPower we see this as an opportunity to recommit and double our efforts to aggressively and effectively market clean energy. Suffield should be a Clean Energy Community, and my hunch is that as we continue to work with the leaders and citizens of Suffield, we’ll soon be standing with them and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund as we cut the ribbon on their new solar panel!
So, as we say at SmartPower, let’s make more®!
Brian F. Keane |
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| Who says you can't go clean? |
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| Jon Bon Jovi’s green image is growing. On Oct. 4, Jon Bon Jovi was joined by Bill Clinton in Philadelphia to launch Project HOME’s Phase V Homeownership Project that will renovate 15 existing structures into affordable and energy efficient homes containing Energy Star-rated appliances in one of Philadelphia’s most impoverished neighborhoods. Jon Bon Jovi helped broker the partnerships that made this project possible. This rock star legend has also offset part of his concert tour’s carbon footprint with Native Energy; provided educational materials about global warming at his concerts; joined the “Stop Global Warming Virtual March”; traded his SUV for a Hybrid; and performed at the LA Film Festival’s screening of “An Inconvenient Truth”. Bon Jovi explains, “As the father of four young children, the more I learned about the issue of Global Warming, the more I educated myself, the more I was driven to make whatever difference I could.” |
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| Create the best clean energy ad and win $10,000! |
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 Starting today, SmartPower and the internet giant, YouTube™ are launching the “Clean Energy Ad Competition” – an advertising contest on the popular video site, YouTube.
Simply put, we’re looking to find the most compelling 30-second clean energy television advertisement. Anyone can enter – just go to www.YouTube.com/group/SmartPower or www.SmartPower.org/contest to learn more and enter the contest.
A panel of judges will review the 30-second ads that are entered into this contest and the winning entry will be rewarded with a cash prize of $10,000. But perhaps more exciting, the winning advertisement will be used by SmartPower in our media campaigns from coast to coast.
 “Over the years, we’ve created some amazing television commercials working with some of the best advertising agencies in the nation,” said SmartPower President Brian F. Keane. “Now we want to turn conventional wisdom on its head and see if citizens from around the U.S. can create our next TV ad. So if you think you have what it takes to create the TV ad that convinces Americans that ‘Clean energy is real. It’s here. And it’s working.’ then enter this contest!”
If creating ads is not your thing, then be sure to check back onto YouTube over the next few weeks and months to view the ads that are submitted. We’re excited to find some really creative talent – and to begin running some ingenious television ads on clean energy! |
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Jimmy Tingle |
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SmartPower, national humorist market MTC Clean Energy Choice in Northampton.
In early October, SmartPower formally introduced its marketing and messaging campaign to Northampton, Massachusetts, as part of a working collaboration with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust (MTC) and the Center for Ecological Technology (CET). This test-marketing campaign seeks to speak directly to consumers, urging them to take action and sign up for the MTC program Clean Energy Choice in order to help ensure our energy independence.
 Jimmy Tingle, a nationally recognized humorist, Boston native and former commentator for CBS News’ 60 Minutes II, has recorded a SmartPower radio spot that implores people to sign up for clean energy choice. “Jimmy Tingle has been called the ‘Will Rogers of the 21st Century’,” said Brian F. Keane, President of SmartPower. “The sheer force of his personality comes through in this ad and hits home the fact that if you want energy independence, you better start buying clean energy.”
Supplementing these radio ads are a series of print ads that will run in local Massachusetts’ newspapers. Further, web–based “banner ads” will run locally on Gazettenet.com and MassLive.com as a means to encourage residents and businesses to sign up for clean energy while online. These local online news and information sources will be augmented by web advertising on Boston.com.
“As our consumer research shows,” said Keane, “on-line marketing is increasingly becoming an important means of communicating with our key demographic audiences. The Web ads we’ve launched are truly cutting edge and will go a long way towards convincing people that clean energy is real. It’s here. And it’s working. And what’s more, it’ll help us become energy independent.”
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Sample website add found at the above mentioned websites. |
This same advertising campaign is taking place concurrently in Beverly, Massachusetts.
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All month the clean energy banner pictured here will hang from the Northhampton City Hall balcony to commemorate Clean Energy Month and encourage Northhampton residents to sign up for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Choice program. |
As added exposure for the bill inserts that are currently a part of all National Grid electric bills in Northampton, SmartPower and the Center for Ecological Technology (CET) worked together to event to celebrate the installation of a 10 kW solar energy system on the JFK Middle School in Northampton.
Significant funding for the solar PV system was provided by MTC as a result of over 500 Northampton residents signing up for and supporting the Clean Energy Choice program. Joining SmartPower at this event were Peggy MacLeod of CET, Northampton Mayor, Clare Higgins, Northampton Superintendent of Schools, Isabelina Rodriguez-Babcock, and Martha Broad of the MTC.
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Here Comes the Sun at JFK Middle School in Northhampton, MA. (B-Row: Peggy MacLeod, CET; Jonathan Edwards, SmartPower; Mayor Clare Higgins. F-Row: Tomasin Whitaker, CET; Martha Broad, MTC; Bob Wall, SmartPower. |
“The solar panels on the roof at the JFK Middle School are a result of a marketing partnership between the city, its residents, the MTC and non-profits such as CET,” stated SmartPower, Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Edwards. “Now that Northampton residents understand firsthand that clean energy is real, here and working, it seems incumbent on other Northampton residents to now sign up for the Clean Energy Choice program so that the city can install more and more solar energy systems.” |
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On September 20th, the Lower Makefield Township Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution committing to 20% by 2010SM, becoming the first municipality to join the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign. Township Supervisor Pete Stainthorpe, who introduced the resolution, stated that “the need to move our nation towards energy independence is clear. While we cannot control our national energy policies directly, we can have a great influence on what happens in our own community. That’s why this initiative is so important and was passed with bipartisan support from all board members.”
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Lower Makefield Board of Supervisors and EAC Chair announce the township's committment to the PA Clean Energy Communties Campaign. L-R: Jim Bray, EAC Chair; Steve Santarsiero, Board of Supervisors Chair; Peter Stainthorpe, Board Supeviror; Greg Caiola, Board Supervisor. |
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 “The TRF Sustainable Development Fund congratulates Lower Makefield for being the first community in southeastern Pennsylvania to commit to purchase at least 20% of their electricity from clean energy sources by 2010,” said Roger Clark, Manager for Technology and Policy at the Sustainable Development Fund. “Lower Makefield has shown that it understands that clean energy is good energy security policy, good economic development policy and good environmental policy. They are leading the way for other communities throughout our area.”
Following closely on the heels of Governor Ed Rendell’s recent announcement that the Keystone state is purchasing 20% of the energy used in state owned facilities from clean energy sources, Lower Makefield’s commitment is the first threshold needed for the township to qualify as a Pennsylvania Clean Energy Community. Once a township, borough or city in the PECO territory achieves the status of a Clean Energy Community, the community will receive a free 1kW solar energy system from SmartPower.
 Currently, Lower Makefield Township purchases 10% clean energy for its electricity needs from Community Energy of Wayne, PA. "This purchase means that Lower Makefield Township and its residents are now part of the energy solution," said Executive Vice President of Community Energy, Brent Alderfer. "We applaud Lower Makefield for leading the way to a clean and secure energy future.”
“To most Americans, Pennsylvania has been known as one of our nation’s coal states,” stated SmartPower President, Brian F. Keane. “With this proclamation by the Township of Lower Makefield, Pennsylvania is increasingly becoming known simply as a clean energy state. Lower Makefield’s leadership on 20% by 2010 shows that clean energy is real. It’s here. And it’s working. And SmartPower stands ready to help this community achieve the status of ‘Clean Energy Community.’ |
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 This month, congregations throughout the country are hosting special screenings of An Inconvenient Truth as part of the Regeneration Project This campaign, which is coordinated by Interfaith Power & Light and its affiliates in twenty states, seeks to mobilize religious response to global warming through the promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation.
Nearly 300 screenings will be held in Connecticut and Massachusetts, where the efforts are led by the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network and Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light.
 “The vision and numbers of the faith community may be what is needed to motivate us to develop clean and efficient power sources before the last bit of fossil fuel is sucked out of the earth. Eventually, the market will have to do what we are asking it to do now,” said IREJN co-founder, Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener.
SmartPower has collaborated with these organizations, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, other non-profits such as Clean Water Fund and the Center for Ecological Technology (CET) as well as clean energy suppliers to promote the events and develop materials to maximize the public’s awareness of and support for clean energy. Participating congregations receive outreach, press and discussion group materials from the national organization as well as specially-designed clean energy enrollment forms and fact sheets from the local affiliates.
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Click image for larger view |
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SmartPower sponsored one of the premiers of An Inconvenient Truth in Washington, DC when the film first hit the theaters. “Perhaps the most exciting part of the film,” said Bob Wall, New England Regional Director for SmartPower, “was realizing that a clean energy purchase really does make a difference. We can all help mitigate the effects of climate change by signing up our homes and businesses for clean energy.” [www.gocleanenergy.com]
“This film has inspired many congregations and their members to take action to support clean energy and adopt energy efficient lifestyles,” said Peggy MacLeod of CET, which worked at various showings in Western Massachusetts. “Viewers are thankful to learn about immediate and affordable steps they can take - like signing up for clean energy.”
Similarly, Jim Motavalli, Editor of E Magazine, who spoke to a large audience at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, remarked that the film “is one of the few documentaries that has really influenced the debate on its subject matter. At Sacred Heart, it inspired a healthy discussion, prompted a number of audience members to investigate green power and empowered the student leaders who were present.” |
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