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 "It’s the Economy Stupid!”
As a veteran of the Presidential campaigns of 1992, this phrase still rings in my ears. Fourteen years ago there was no more important issue to discuss than the state of our economy. And now, on the eve of yet another election, there’s a new phrase being bandied about – “It’s energy independence, stupid!”
And they are right! Indeed, there is no more important issue to discuss. It is tied up in our wars, our skyrocketing gas prices and our unsettling concerns about hurricanes and climate change. In fact, our own SmartPower research, and a number of other recent national surveys, tells us that more Americans today see “energy independence” as a catchall for the many ills that are facing our society.
And now we must take advantage of the opportunity this presents. People are looking for answers. This isn’t necessarily a flag waving ‘my country right or wrong” sense of energy independence we are seeing. Rather, it’s a very real sense of “lack of control,” and a feeling of being “trapped” that is driving consumers to ask, “what can I do?”
Not surprisingly, as blow the winds, so too the politicians. It’s no surprise that during this election season we are seeing more and more politicians jumping on the “energy independence” bandwagon. Our political leaders are learning now what we’ve already known – that clean energy is real. It’s here. And it’s working.
Welcome aboard!
So as you find yourself shaking hands with a nervous incumbent, take the chance to ask them what they are doing to help make us more energy independent. And don’t let them off the hook when they say that they are supporting such-and-such bill, or starting some “Blue Ribbon Panel”. Rather, ask them what they are doing! Are they buying clean energy for their homes? Are their local offices signed up for the residential switching program? If not – why not? Energy independence begins at home and at the office. And in this election season, it can even begin in the House…. and the Senate!
But what’s most exciting is that today everyone can do something about it.
It’s energy independence, stupid!
Let’s make more!®
Brian F. Keane |
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 SmartPower recently welcomed new staff member Molly Tsongas to the team. Molly is assisting with the implementation of the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign and is located in the SmartPower Philadelphia office. Her work focuses on campaign research and the development of community partners as well as assisting in the writing of SmartPower publications. With a degree in Environmental Studies from Brown University, Molly’s background includes experience with environmental justice issues and campaign organizing. SmartPower is excited to have Molly on board as our newest member!
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On September 5th the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), SunEdison and Whole Foods hosted a dedication ceremony to celebrate the unveiling of Connecticut's largest solar energy system at Whole Foods Markets' Distribution Center in Cheshire. The 121-kilowatt solar system will generate approximately 137,500 kilowatt hours of clean energy supplying the facility with enough energy to power 10% of its annual energy needs. CCEF’s role in the project included providing a project grant that supported over half of the project’s cost, while the remaining costs were absorbed by SunEdison, a national solar electricity provider. SunEdison will own the equipment and sell the electricity generated to Whole Foods for a period of ten years. According to Whole Foods Market, the SunEdison Solar Services™ proposition was compelling; not only did the entire system come at no additional capital costs, but it will actually save them operating expenses on their energy bill immediately. |
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Please join SmartPower collaborator, the Center for Ecological Technology (CET), as it celebrates Clean Energy Month and its 30th anniversary with workshops intended to raise awareness of clean energy and energy efficiency. Formed in 1976, CET seeks "to research, develop, demonstrate and promote those technologies which have the least disruptive impact on the natural ecology of the Earth." From offices in Pittsfield, Northampton and Springfield, MA, CET finds sustainable solutions to complex issues in order to benefit our environment, health, economy, and community. Click here for a list of upcoming events.
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| September 21, 2006 from 12-2pm at the Hilton Inn at Penn |
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PennFuture and friends will celebrate twenty-seven individuals, private industries, government agencies and public interest organizations that are blazing the trail towards a cleaner and healthier Pennsylvania by purchasing green power, advancing policies that develop the renewable energy market, and taking the lead in creating new renewable supply. Come show your support for these groups by registering at PennFuture Green Power Heroes
The cost of the lunch is $20 for PennFuture members and $25 for non-members. |
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| September 22-23, 2006 in Kempton Pennsylvania |
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Presented by the MidAtlantic Renewable Energy Association, this 2nd annual festival offers attendees a wide-ranging educational program and a chance to debate the key issues, whilst the exhibitor hall creates the perfect environment to evaluate the solutions. Featuring dynamic speakers, national exhibitors, workshops, hands-on demonstrations, vendors, live music and entertainment, children's activities, food and more this two day festival is an event you shouldn’t miss! |
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| September 30th from 9am-5pm at Arcadia University Stiteler Auditorium Glenside, PA |
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Organized by Quiet Riot, a Pennsylvania based non-profit, this conference will explore solutions on peak oil and global warming. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend workshops on community produced solar and wind energy, locally grown organic foods, transportation opportunities, new jobs created in a clean energy economy and inter-community relations. During this exciting conference SmartPower’s own Molly Tsongas will be conducting a workshop on the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign. Click here for further information on this event. |
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October 3rd from 8am-6pm at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Cromwell, CT |
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The 2006 Annual Convention & Exposition of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities will be held on October 3. The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund is a sponsor of this event and will be on hand with information on the many clean energy opportunities and incentives that are available to municipalities in the state. Click here for more information. |
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October 4th from 4-9pm at the First Baptist Church in West Hartford |
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The 2006 Sacred Trust Forum will be hosted by SmartPower collaborator, the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network on October 4. Roger S. Gottlieb, Professor of Philosophy at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, will give the keynote address on “Religious Environmentalism, A Source of Hope in a Dark Time. Register here for the Forum also includes a series of workshops, including SmartPower’s Bob Wall, dinner and displays. |
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October 7, 2006 from 10-4pm |
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This year the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s (NESEA) tour will feature more than 400 homes and buildings who have implemented clean energy and other green building technologies. The event, which is part of the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour, offers a unique opportunity for people to see first-hand how clean energy and green building practices can be put to work. Homeowners and building managers will be on site to describe their green building features and answer questions. Attendees will be able to learn basic principles of green building and observe how solar hot water is collected and stored, how photovoltaics can be placed on or integrated into the shell of a building to produce electricity, and how wind can be used to generate power. Click here to learn more about this event. |
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October 11, 2006 from 7:30-9pm at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church |
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PennFuture, The Pennsylvania Interfaith Climate Change Campaign and the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church will sponsor an evening of provocative discussion about global warming and the role of people of faith. Featuring the best selling author and activist Reverend Jim Wallis, the event will address how individuals, organizations and government can make a difference in Pennsylvania. Other featured speakers include: John Hanger, PennFuture, Kathleen McGinty, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection, Rabbi James Egolf, Beth David Reform Congregation, and Joy Bergey, Pennsylvania Interfaith Climate Change Campaign. Space is limited so register today. Go to www.pennfuture.org call 1-800-321-7775. |
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October 16-19th at the San Jose, CA Convention Center |
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Presented by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Solar Power 2006 focuses on the the areas of solar technology, energy policy, and market opportunity. With more than 130 exhibitors and 100 speakers this year’s Solar Power Conference and Expo is the largest business-to-business solar event held in the United States. |
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Massachusetts Declares Energy Independence! |
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 In late September, SmartPower and the MTC Renewable Energy Trust will kick off a marketing test pilot to drive sign ups for the Massachusetts residential switching program, Clean Energy Choice.
Using newly created radio, newspaper and web advertisements, this test pilot will focus on the communities of Beverly, on Massachusetts’ North Shore, and Northampton, in the western part of the state. Our goal is to use these advertisements to increase the numbers of residential and small business sign ups in these communities – particularly among customers who do not have a strong personal conviction regarding environmental issues .
This test pilot program represents the rollout of a new messaging campaign to help market clean energy. With full color, two page newspapers ads, we will dramatically call upon consumers to “Declare Your Energy Independence!” And in an ironic twist, the advertisements make creative use of coal and oil as a means of imploring people to sign up for clean energy choice. Further, utilizing companion advertisements on web sites such as townonline.com and Boston.com, we will provide people an opportunity to link directly to the MTC Renewable Energy Trust website.
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Click image for a closer view. |
And as an overlay to all this, we will be running brand new, edgy radio advertisements that break through all the radio clutter and compel the listeners to do something to make themselves energy independent.
“These ads are ingeniously creative,” said Brian F. Keane, President of SmartPower. “It’s extremely difficult to show energy independence and not fall into some jingoistic, flag waving mantra. Yet these ads break through the clutter and don’t fall into this trap.”
Created in partnership with Boston based advertising agency, Partners and Simon, SmartPower and MTC Renewable Energy Trust hope to use this test as a barometer on the merits of the “energy independence” message. Should this pilot program result in increased sign ups for these communities, expect to see and hear our energy independence advertisements in a community near you. |
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Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell |
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SmartPower applauds Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell and his recent announcement that the state would buy 20% of its electricity from clean energy sources. This significant purchase of clean energy is equal to 200,000 megawatt hours of electricity a year. Wind will provide 42% of the energy with the rest coming from other clean sources such as hydroelectric energy.
The Pennsylvania purchase increases the state government’s total clean energy purchase from 10% to 20% of its total electricity usage, making it a national leader in the support of clean, renewable energy. The Commonwealth's purchase not only will promote the growth of clean energy markets and energy independence but will also avoid emissions of 951 tons of sulfur dioxide, 271 tons of nitrogen oxide and 123,410 tons of carbon dioxide.
“To most Americans, Pennsylvania has been known as one of our nation’s coal states,” stated SmartPower President, Brian F. Keane. “Forevermore, it will be known simply as a clean state. Governor Rendell’s decision to increase the state’s purchase of clean energy to 20% shows that clean energy is real. It’s here. And it’s working.”
 SmartPower, working in concert with the Pennsylvania Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) and a coalition of key stakeholders, is spearheading the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign. Among other clean energy goals, this campaign encourages community governments in Pennsylvania (specifically those in the PECO territory) to commit to 20% clean energy by 2010. Communities that commit to the PA Clean Energy Communities Campaign will be following the lead of the Governor and will only add to the benefits of clean energy recently cited by the Governor.
“The purchase of 20% clean energy by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also helps the movement in this country for energy independence,” continued Keane. “Increased energy independence and a diminishing addiction to foreign oil are on the minds of most Pennsylvania residents and Governor Rendell’s leadership on clean energy is helping to make those goals a reality.” |
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On September 8, Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) Commissioner Anne C. George and Connecticut Consumer Counsel, Mary Healey, were joined by CT Siting Council Executive Director, Derek Phelps to announce the purchase of clean energy to offset 100% of the electricity use for all of the offices and operations at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, Connecticut. This office building houses the DPUC, the Office of Consumer Counsel and the Connecticut Siting Council.
 The purchase of approximately 690,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy will be split between the two suppliers in the CTCleanEnergyOptionssm
program, Sterling Planet and Community Energy. It is also the second made by the state in the past ten months as Connecticut continues to meet its commitment to 20% clean energy use for state properties by the year 2010.
“This is a major step towards energy independence, cleaner air and moving away from our addiction to fossil fuels, still the primary conventional means of generating electricity,” noted Commissioner George. “The Department is committed to doing everything in its power not only to reduce its consumption of electricity, but also to encourage the use of cleaner renewable energy production.”
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(From L-R) Mary Healey, CT Consumer Counsel; Lise Dondy, CCEF President; Bob Maddox, Sterling Planet; Anne George, DPUC Commissioner; Mark Garrett, Community Energy; Bob Wall, SmartPower. |
Commissioner George and Consumer Counsel Healey were joined at the press conference by the President of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, Lise Dondy. Over the past 18 months, maximizing the customer enrollment of the CTCleanEnergyOptions program has been a major focus of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. The collaborative working group that has been created by the Fund includes the DPUC and is seen as one of the reasons for Connecticut’s leadership with clean energy markets across the country.
“The action taken today by the DPUC is another example of Connecticut’s leadership in making clean energy an important part of our energy future”, said Lise Dondy. “Clearly, clean energy continues to gain momentum in our state within all sectors –government, business and residential.”
SmartPower used the announcement at Ten Franklin Square to highlight the leadership of the DPUC and to encourage other state agencies to join their colleagues and sign up for and support clean energy through the CTCleanEnergyOptions program.
“This purchase is a significant step toward the realization of the State of Connecticut’s commitment to obtain 20% clean energy use by the year 2010,” stated SmartPower’s New England Regional Director, Bob Wall. “The enrollment is a direct result of the highly successful CTCleanEnergyOptionssm program that was developed under the direction of the DPUC. By making this commitment, the DPUC is demonstrating to all citizens that clean energy is real, it’s here and it’s working in Connecticut. Now we expect other agencies and departments of Connecticut State Government to follow suit. |
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Although summer is almost gone, the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities program remains red hot. As a result, more and more free solar PV systems will be going up across the state.
The newest members of the SmartPower 20% by 2010 Campaign include one of the state’s largest cities, Meriden, and one of its smallest towns, Harwinton. These municipalities are committed to achieving energy independence while helping to improve the health and environment for their citizens.
Meanwhile, thanks to a strong showing at its recent Fall Festival, Cheshire has reportedly surpassed the 100 signup threshold, making it the latest Clean Energy Community to earn a free solar energy system from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. Furthermore, the town has entered into a friendly competition with nearby Bethany to see which town will be the first to have 3% of the local residents participating in the CTCleanEnergyOptions program. Cheshire citizens recently celebrated the installation of the state’s largest PV system at the Whole Foods Warehouse earlier this month.
Elsewhere, Essex announced recently that it had enrolled with Community Energy, becoming the latest town to achieve progress toward the goal of 20% clean energy by the year 2010.
Finally, West Hartford will unveil its first free solar energy system on Town Hall on September 18, while Fairfield and New Haven installations are soon to follow. For full details on the ribbon cutting ceremonies, please visit the respective town pages on: www.ctcleanenergy.com/communities. Congratulations to all the citizen and elected leaders in these communities who are demonstrating that clean energy is real, it’s here and it’s working in Connecticut.
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Members of the West Hartford Clean Energy Task Force proudly poses next to the 3kW solar energy system the town received for signing up over 300 West Hartford residents for CTCleanEnergyOptions.
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In this month's issue of the Economist the cover story takes a serious look at the effects of climate change and argues that "the uncertainty surrounding climate change argues for action, not inaction." Stating that climate change is one of the hardest policy problems the world has ever faced, the article discusses how climate change could affect the planet and what different governments are doing about it. |
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