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Can you change the world by simply wearing a small imprinted piece of blue-colored silicone on your wrist?
The answer is YES.
The intangible value of the wristband that proves this point is in the three simple words imprinted on it and what those words mean. On one side of the wristband are the words that everyone has read many times before in this column - 'Let's Make More.' These wristbands clearly demonstrate to the world that each wearer supports for Clean Energy.
These wristbands were first launched at the 12th National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference in Philadelphia last month. And they certainly were a hit! If you don't believe me, just ask Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. The Governor was pleased to get a wristband and happy to wear it because it publicly demonstrated his support for clean energy and his role as a true leader in making clean energy viable and available in Pennsylvania.
It was exciting to travel across the exhibit room and see total strangers wearing these wristbands. From the numerous conference rooms to the grand ballroom, blue wristbands were out in full force as the people wearing them proudly showed their support for clean energy. A simple symbol like this makes you part of a movement that affects people all across the planet. Using and promoting clean energy fights global warming, helps make America more energy independent, and naturally helps promote critical energy diversification.
Now if YOU would like to show your support for clean energy, simply email or call us and we will be happy to send you a 'Let's Make More' wristband of your own. Impress your family and your friends and show your support for Clean Energy! Get yours (while our supply lasts) today!
Change the world!
Let's Make More!
Sincerely,
Brian F. Keane
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"SmartPower's YouTube Top Ten Finalists' Commercials on the Internet"
He served 8 years as Vice President. He was the nominee of the Democratic Party for President in 2000. He won 2 Academy Awards for his environmental call to action documentary, 'An Inconvenient Truth' and he is the most recent recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize. So what is next for Al Gore?
Gore's active project is called CurrentTV and it is a blending of mainstream television with the "viewer created content" of the Internet. Current describes itself as 'a peer-to-peer news and information network.' It sells itself by telling viewers that 'Your brain doesn't come in boxes labeled NEWS and ENTERTAINMENT. Neither does the world.'
CurrentTV and its website, Current.com allow viewers to share the stories, videos, and viewpoints. It lets viewers post comments and videos of their own creation. The ones that are good move to the Current.com homepage. The really exciting content is broadcast on Current TV, a cable and satellite TV network in 52 million homes around the world.
Unlike on most networks, there is no 'conventional' programming on CurrentTV. Instead they slice their schedule into short segments called 'pods,' each just a few minutes long.
SmartPower recently submitted our 'YouTube Top Ten Finalists' Clean Energy Ad Challenge' commercials to Current.com and they were accepted and posted on their website. You may view the SmartPower commercials are on Current.com at this link.
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| "Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) (L) hands the signed Declaration of Energy Independence to SmartPower New Hampshire State Director Mike Garofalo (R)" |
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) became the first presidential candidate to sign the SmartPower 'Declaration of Energy Independence.' Kucinich, the 6-term Ohio Congressman, signed the document in his Manchester, NH campaign headquarters.
The Declaration of Energy Independence has three main points:
- All of the signer's campaign offices in the state of New Hampshire will be powered or offset by clean energy.
- Once the signer takes office, he or she will order that the White House will be powered by 100% clean energy.
- By the end of the signer's first term in office, the federal government will begin the process of purchasing 20% clean energy for all federal buildings.
Congressman Kucinich stated, "I am happy to show my commitment to clean energy and energy independence by signing SmartPower's Declaration of Energy Independence. I want to thank SmartPower for all they are doing for our country. They are an organization that promotes clean energy and energy efficiency. They are helping Americans to realize that clean energy is real, it's here, and it's working."
"Today Congressman Dennis Kucinich follows in the footsteps of our Founding Fathers by affixing his name to a Declaration - the SmartPower Declaration of Energy Independence," said Brian F. Keane. "While many candidates in both parties talk about the need to address Global Climate Change and to support clean energy, only Congressman Kucinich has had the courage to put his
name on this document and to commit his administration and our nation to a true path to energy independence. SmartPower applauds Congressman Kucinich's vision, his commitment, and his courage. As we say, let's make more!"
SmartPower will continue to ask all the other presidential candidates in New Hampshire to affix their names to the SmartPower Declaration of Energy Independence.
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"Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (L), Sporting a Blue SmartPower "Let's Make More" Wristband, Meets with SmartPower President Brian F. Keane." |
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell proudly demonstrated before close to 500 people recently that he is a true leader on Clean Energy. The Governor was the keynote speaker at the recently completed 12th National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference in Philadelphia on October 23rd. As the Governor finished addressing the conference attendees, he met with members of the media and with SmartPower President Brian F. Keane, who gave Governor Rendell a SmartPower 'Let's Make More' clean energy wristband. Sporting the distinctive blue wristband demonstrated the wearer's support for clean energy.
"More than 28% of the electricity used to power the commonwealth's government operations is produced from renewable sources," said Governor Ed Rendell. "Pennsylvania's return to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's list of top 25 green power purchasers shows the state's commitment to clean energy technologies," Rendell concluded.
SmartPower was very vocal on commending the Governor on Pennsylvania's leadership role in clean energy and to provide him and his staff with the blue wristbands to publicly show their support for clean energy.
"The State of Pennsylvania has been a true leader in the purchase and use of clean energy and Governor Rendell has led the charge for clean energy throughout his tenure," stated Brian F. Keane. "Governor Rendell was happy to wear the wristband to show everyone his strong support for clean energy. The Governor and the people of Pennsylvania clearly know that clean energy is real, its here and it is working for them all across the Keystone State," Keane concluded.
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In late October, the entire SmartPower staff went to Philadelphia to participate in the 12th National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference. This conference is the premier event for those involved in marketing renewable energy. SmartPower staffers were everywhere, meeting with their industry colleagues, learning new developments in the clean energy markets, and, most importantly, playing a leadership role in sharing our knowledge about clean energy marketing. In fact, no other organization, except for the conference hosts, made as many presentations as did SmartPower. This organization truly believes that sharing our knowledge among our peers and ourselves will lead to greater acceptance of clean energy by mainstream America.
From the Opening Session on Monday, to the Closing Session on Wednesday, SmartPower shared our knowledge and insights about marketing clean energy.
During the Opening Session, SmartPower President, Brian Keane, participated in the Executive Roundtable Discussion on the 'State of the Green Power Market.' The chair asked questions of the participants and also accepted questions from the audience about the current activity in today's marketplace for clean energy. This event drew the largest crowd of the convention and was held in the Grand Ballroom.
Tuesday was an exciting day at the Conference with the keynote address delivered by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, followed by a panel that included SmartPower's Pennsylvania State Director, Molly Tsongas. Molly's presentation was 'Is Global Warming an Effective Message for Marketing Clean Energy?' and it was very well received. Many attendees asked Molly for copies of her presentation after it was completed.
Later that same day, State Director, Keri Enright, delivered 'SmartPower Community Marketing Toolkit: Developing a Winning Clean Energy Marketing Campaign.' Keri's presentation helped the audience to understand what marketing tools are available for them to use to promote clean energy among consumers. The SmartPower Community Marketing Toolkit is comprehensive and many attendees feverishly took notes during Keri's presentation.
Wednesday was the last day of the conference and a morning session on Energy Efficiency highlighted SmartPower's Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Edwards. Jon's presentation 'The Importance of Energy Efficiency to the Clean Energy Market: the Emergence of Energy Efficiency Research' discussed in detail some of the surprising findings of SmartPower's current energy efficiency market research. After his presentation, Jon's audience understood the value of Energy Efficiency and how it correlates to public acceptance of and demand for Clean Energy.
The final presentation on Wednesday was by President Brian Keane on 'Marketing Clean Energy in a YouTube World.' Brian anecdotally related our interesting experiences in obtaining clean energy marketing messages directly from the creative YouTube viewers, rather than from Madison Avenue advertising professionals. These were truly 'cutting edge' marketing experiences, as the focus today of many mainstream marketing programs is 'viewer created content.' SmartPower will continue to expand and use that medium for our marketing messages.
The staff members making presentation were ably supported by our Assistant to the President, Kate Kelly, who manned our exhibit table and made sure all of our logistical arrangements were correct, SmartPower Marketing Director, Lyn Rosoff, who engaged our colleagues in various marketing opportunities all across the convention center, Willy Ritch, who writes the SmartPower blog, and was able to secure an interview with Governor Rendell, and, finally, Mike Garofalo, SmartPower's Communications Director worked with the conference sponsor to ensure that the media were aware of the conference and that SmartPower's marketing messages were being well received.
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| "Kate Kelly at the SmartPower exhibit booth" |
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| "Lyn Rosoff meeting with marketing colleagues" |
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| "Blogger Willy Ritch interviews PA Gov. Ed Rendell" |
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While the SmartPower staff spent much of its time in Pennsylvania, clean energy remained a focus in the Nutmeg State where the Town of Lebanon demonstrated its support of clean energy!
Lebanon, which became the 52nd town to commit to the SmartPower 20% by 2010sm, honored its commitment to the campaign by purchasing 45,600 kWh of electricity from clean energy sources. This purchase represents 20% of the Town's estimated electricity usage for one year and fulfills their annual commitment to the campaign.
"I am proud to live in a community that leads by example and I am excited about the SmartPower 20% by 2010 Clean Energy Campaign," stated Joyce R. Okonuk, First Selectmen of Lebanon. "The Town of Lebanon is demonstrating to its citizens that we can play a part in changing our energy future, and encourage all Lebanon residents to choose CTCleanEnergyOptionssm for their homes and businesses," Okonuk concluded.
As the national leader in the marketing of clean energy, SmartPower has worked successfully with leaders in Lebanon and the 59 other 20% by 2010 communities across Connecticut to clearly demonstrate the strength and availability of clean energy to both residential and institutional electric customers.
Meanwhile, Ridgefield, CT Officially Challenges Its Neighbors
Rudy Marconi, First Selectman of Ridgefield, has issued a challenge to 6 other towns in the southwest region of Connecticut. The challenge is to see which town is able to sign-up more residents to the CTCleanEnergyOptionsSM program by Earth Day, April 22, 2008.
"In this era of environmental concern and the need for the government to take a leadership position, we want to issue this challenge to build awareness across lower CT to some of the actions we can take to help," stated Rudy Marconi. "The Ridgefield Board of Selectmen, earlier this year, approved participating in the SmartPower 20% by 2010 Campaign, which commits Ridgefield to offsetting 20% of our municipal electricity needs from clean, renewable sources, within the next three years." Ridgefield is already purchasing 6% toward this goal. The Town of Ridgefield, CT has officially challenged the neighboring towns of Danbury, Newtown, Stamford, Redding, Weston and Westport.
Challenges such as this are important in building awareness in the local communities about clean energy and about SmartPower's 20% by 2010sm campaign. We applaud Ridgefield for creating this challenge and wish all 7 towns great success in their efforts.
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Wal-Mart, the worldwide retailing chain, recently announced that it is taking measures to make its operations more environmentally friendly. SmartPower applauds the retail giant's efforts to measure and reduce its carbon footprint.
Wal-Mart is asking its suppliers to measure their carbon footprint and to find ways to reduce it. The company is beginning the process by looking at seven categories of items that comprise a significant portion of their consumer sales: DVDs, toothpaste, beer, milk, soap, soda, and vacuum cleaners. This effort is part of Wal-Mart's overall 'greening' process. The company has recently instituted a 'Sustainability Program' that hopes to create no waste, to persuade its suppliers to use less energy, to offer more environmentally sustainable products in its stores and, most importantly, to have its electricity be supplied by clean energy sources.
"We are pleased to see a retail giant like Wal-Mart take responsibility for its impact on our environment," stated Brian F.Keane, President of SmartPower. "They are joining other environmentally responsible companies such as Dell, Coca-Cola, and Timberland in reducing emissions. We hope that more and more companies take the necessary steps to curb climate change by increased energy efficiency and an increase in their demand for clean energy use. Energy efficiency and clean energy is a marriage that should be embraced by every Fortune 500 Company in America."
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