From diane.brandon at gmail.com  Wed Apr  8 09:46:26 2009
From: diane.brandon at gmail.com (Diane Brandon)
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 12:46:26 -0400
Subject: [CoolCommunities] Fwd: Sustainability Speaker Series starts Monday
	4/13/09 at Portsmouth Public Library 6pm - 8pm
References: <CE14DA55D488CF4D92FE262CB7C0D18401AD9247@ONIE2KMB02.win.dowjones.net>
Message-ID: <6EEF2026-84C2-4190-BE97-CAE01669B499@gmail.com>

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Salmon, Mary" <msalmon at seacoastonline.com>
> Date: April 8, 2009 8:43:13 AM EDT
> Subject: Sustainability Speaker Series starts Monday 4/13/09 at  
> Portsmouth Public Library 6pm - 8pm
>
>
>
> The first forum for the 2nd Annual Sustainability Fair is happening  
> on Monday, April 13, 2009 at the Portsmouth Public Library 6pm ?  
> 8pm. It will be a great session on "Transportation for a  
> Sustainable Seacoast" with the Executive Directors of the  
> Rockingham Planning Commission and COAST and the President of SABR.
>
>
>
> Forum on Transportation for a Sustainable Seacoast
>
> Portsmouth, Monday, April 13
>
>
>
> Organizers of the second annual Portsmouth Sustainability Fair will  
> present the first of a series of four forums on sustainability at  
> the Portsmouth Library on Monday, April 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.   
> The forum will consider the critical role of transportation in  
> determining whether life in the Seacoast can be sustainable as we  
> face rising energy prices, sprawling land use, and global warming.   
> Can we combine a robust economy with reduced reliance on fossil  
> fuels and a declining carbon footprint?  Speakers include  
> Rockingham Planning Commission Executive Director Cliff Sinnott on  
> the need to plan transportation and land use together.  Rad  
> Nichols, Executive Director of COAST, and Josh Pierce, President of  
> the Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes, will describe the essential role  
> of public transit and bicycling in a balanced transportation system  
> with affordable, clean, and healthy access to jobs, housing,  
> schools, and recreation for all.  The forums include ample time for  
> audience interaction with the panelists on overcoming the  
> challenges in creating a livable community.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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From diane.brandon at gmail.com  Fri Apr 10 18:39:26 2009
From: diane.brandon at gmail.com (Diane Brandon)
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:39:26 -0400
Subject: [CoolCommunities] Fwd: Energy project news from NH
References: <003f01c9ba15$60487290$6402a8c0@parei3a7e7ddda>
Message-ID: <40B21E7D-3D4B-47D6-A8A8-CDCB9781AC33@gmail.com>

Hi All,
While this group is in Plymouth NH, they offer lots of interesting  
news and ideas that might be useful in our area.
Diane

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Sandra Jones, PAREI" <sandra at plymouthenergy.org>
> Date: April 10, 2009 3:48:47 PM EDT
> To: "Sandra Jones, PAREI" <sandra at plymouthenergy.org>
> Subject: PAREI  Membership Update - Energy Exchange Friday Night  
> April 17th
>
>
> Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative
> Membership Update
> April 10, 2009
>
>
> Upcoming PAREI Events
>
> Energy Exchange Membership Meeting?   Friday Night April 17th   
> 6:00pm Plymouth Senior Center, Plymouth, NH.  Potluck and BYOB.  
> PAREI will provide non-alcoholic drinks and several pizzas. Please  
> bring an appetizer, main dish or dessert to share.  Dishes, bowls  
> and serving utensils are available for our use. NH Electric Coop is  
> the financial sponsor of our April and May Energy Exchanges. Thank  
> you NHEC!
>
> The purpose of these meetings is to utilize local knowledge by  
> sharing information and advice on energy conservation, energy  
> efficiency and/or renewable energy issues.  This is a meeting for  
> members and/or potential members. Please bring information to  
> share, a lesson learned or a question to pose to the group.  If you  
> would like to be on the agenda for an announcement or info sharing  
> just let us know that night.
>
>  6:00 - 6:30pm  Food, Drinks and Conversations
> 6:30pm ? 7:15 pm  Round Table Member Discussion and Info Sharing.
> Peter Adams: A word from our Board President
> Tom Palma, NH Electric Coop ? An Update  on NHEC Solar and Wind  
> Rebates
> Irene Garvey ? Discussion on Design for PAREI T-Shirts, Fundraising  
> Raffle
> 7:15pm Video from PAREI?s TOOL KIT ? The Solar Energy Raiser (15  
> min)  Featuring many PAREI and STAMREI members
> 7:30ish - 8:15 pm Break Out Sessions
> 1)     Solar Hot Water ?  Come discuss the feasibility of a solar  
> water heating installation at your home. We?ll have a demo  
> collector on hand and will cover the basics of solar water heating  
> and answer your questions.
> 2)     Wind Power Generation Dave Horton of DNL Energy of  
> Holderness, NH will answer your questions and show you some  
> pictures of wind energy installations. For more information you can  
> reach Dave at hortond at dnlenergy.com
> 3)     Local Foods ? How to Grow Them, How to Buy Them Melissa  
> Greenawalt-Yelle will be on hand to answer all your questions about  
> where to find certain foods locally and how to sign up and buy  
> foods from the Local Foods Plymouth website. Melissa will also  
> share gardening tips, and answer questions about seed purchases,  
> seed starting and more.
>
> Solar Energy Raiser**, Saturday May 2nd  Home of Todd and Amy  
> Bickford, Campton, NH. Gather 8:30am Start 9:00am - 3:30pm  To all  
> of you who have RSVP?d to volunteer, you will receive an email with  
> directions, team assignments and additional information at least  
> one week prior to the event. The Set Up Night has been set for  
> Tuesday, April 28th. Questions? E-mail Irene Garvey at grace at ncia.net
>
> Solar Water Heating Information Session  Saturday, May 2nd 12:00  
> noon, Home of Todd and Amy Bickford in Campton, NH. All are welcome  
> to come tour an Energy Raiser in progress and learn about an  
> Apricus Evacuated Tube Solar Water Heating System. Information will  
> be handed out about installing a solar water heating system and  
> utilizing NH Electric Coop?s solar rebate program.  Please RSVP to  
> Irene Garvey grace at ncia.net  Directions will be sent out to all  
> those who RSVP.  This info session is sponsored by NH Electric  
> Coop. Thanks NHEC for helping us cover the cost s  of organizing  
> our educational events.
>
> PAREI News
>
> Thermal Imaging Project Grant Denied by NHCF:   Unfortunately, we  
> did not receive the Express Grant for $5000 from the NH Charitable  
> Fund for the purchase (and training) of a Thermal Imaging Camera.  
> But we still have another grant possibility with the Public  
> Utilities Commission that includes the purchase of this equipment.  
> We are going to forge ahead with finding the funding locally and  
> will be in touch next week with those of you who pledged $80 to  
> help with the camera?s purchase (these folks will be the first  
> homes to receive the service) This technology will help PAREI  
> members easily identify the air leaks in their home and help them  
> create a list of easy weatherization fixes.  A Thermal Imager costs  
> $4500.
>
> Big Thanks to Sustainability of Laconia (see green box below) for  
> letting us know the great news about the IRS Solar Tax Credit Cap  
> being lifted for solar water projects. For those of you with  
> estimates from PAREI ? you should recalculate your IRS tax credit.  
> It is figured by first deducting the NHEC Rebate (25% up to $1500)  
> for the total installation cost and then 30% of the remaining  
> project cost will be the IRS federal tax credit amount. This tax  
> credit can carry over to the following year if you can?t take the  
> whole credit in one year.
>
> FEDERAL REBATE CAP LIFTED For SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEMS too   Last  
> October, the Economic Stimulus bill removed the $2,000 limit on  
> rebates for Solar electric (PV) systems, but left it in place for  
> solar hot water heaters. Just recently, new legislation removed  
> that cap too. Now ALL solar electric (PV) and solar hot water  
> systems are eligible for a 30% rebate from the Federal Government.  
> In addition, there is a State of New Hampshire rebate of up to  
> $6,000 available, and if you are a NHEC customer, up to $3,500  
> (Solar electric PV) or $1,500 (solar hot water systems) are  
> available. www.sustainabilitynh.com
>
> PAREI Fundraising Committee is Working on Getting PAREI T-Shirts:   
> More information will be presented at the April Energy Exchange  
> about cost and sizes. If interested in joining this committee e- 
> mail Irene Garvey at grace at ncia.net .
>
>
> Plan Now for Your Energy Future
>
> NH Public Utilities Commission website has posted questions and  
> answers about the NH Renewable Energy Rebate.  (not including solar  
> water) Applications have not been released yet. To check out their  
> Q and A go to: http://www.puc.state.nh.us/Sustainable%20Energy/ 
> RenewableEnergyRebatesQAs-residential.htm#5
>
> The NH Electric Coop Solar and Wind Rebate Programs applications  
> will be mailed very soon!  NHEC will be offering customers up to  
> $1500 on a solar water heating installation and up to $3500 on a  
> solar photovoltaic installation in the year of 2009.  If you are  
> interested in installing in 2009 through PAREI?s volunteer energy  
> raiser process or through PAREI?s profession installation crews,  
> it?s important to start planning early so you can get in the queue  
> for an NHEC rebate. (A limited number of projects will be funded  
> this year.)  We can help you get started with your project. As a  
> membership benefit of PAREI, we will conduct an initial solar site  
> visit at no additional cost to get you on the road to installing  
> solar water or photovoltaics. If interested in signing up for a  
> solar site visit e-mail Sandra Jones at Sandra at plymouthenergy.org   
> ATTENTION SOLAR PROJECTS UNDERWAY - If you?re project is already  
> underway, Sandra will send you the application soon after they are  
> released with PAREI?s portion filled in and with directions as to  
> what you need to complete the rebate process.
>
> Local and Regional Events
>
> PSU?s Earth Month Activity Calendar is Attached to this E-mail
>
> "Why Nuclear Power Still is not the Answer."  April 14th-Paul  
> Gunter, Director of the Reactor Oversight Project for Beyond  
> Nuclear at the Nuclear Policy Research Institute.  All Sidore  
> Lectures are in the Smith Recital Hall located in the Silver  
> Cultural Arts Center at Plymouth State University at 7pm.
>
> ?Earth Jam 2009 and Environmental Fair?  Sunday, April 19,  2:00 ?  
> 10:00 PM, lawn in back of Silver Center for the Arts
> Come celebrate Earth Month with solar-powered music and friends!   
> Musical performances by: Pongo?s Groove, D Acres Family Band, Jay  
> Moskowitz, Wet Revelation, Forging Reverie, and Big Love Monster.  
> Audio powered by solar power from Sunweavers.  Vendors providing  
> organic, locally-made, eco-friendly food and products.  Also:  An  
> Environmental Fair will take place from 2-6 PM, with many New  
> Hampshire environmental groups staffing tables showing their  
> activities. PAREI will have a table at the Fair. E-mail PAREI?s  
> Intern, Zak Brohinsky if you?d like to help out for an hour or so:   
> zabrohinsky at plymouth.edu
>
> Kilowatt Ours  April 28th, 7:00pm as part of Plymouth State  
> University?s green movie series.  The movie will be in Boyd Hall  
> with a discussion after the movie.  It is open to everyone and is  
> FREE.  For more information contact: Madeline McElaney  Tel: (603)  
> 22NHSEA (226-4732)  email: madeline at nhsea.org
>
> Workshop for NH agricultural and forest land owners to learn about  
> Farm Bill conservation programs New Hampshire conservation  
> districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service will host  
> informational workshops on conservation programs available through  
> the 2008 Farm Bill. Local farmers, forest and land owners, and  
> other interested parties are invited to attend the workshops. New  
> provisions in the legislation simplify existing programs and create  
> new opportunities to address high priority environmental protection  
> goals such as pollinator habitat, wildlife and energy. Targeted  
> assistance is also available to minority, limited resource and  
> beginning farmers.  Grafton County Workshop details are as follows:  
> Thursday, April 30, 7:00 ? 9:00 pm, Grafton County Coop Extension  
> Conference Room, 3855 Dartmouth College Highway, North Haverhill  
> NH. Contact Dean Bascom at 747-2001 ext. 106 for more information.  
> Conservation district and/or NRCS representatives will be on-hand  
> to explain how landowners can apply for financial and technical  
> assistance from NRCS through the 2008 Farm Bill to promote  
> conservation on farmland and forest land.
>
> Local Energy Solutions 2009
> A one-day conference for local energy committees, municipalities  
> and schools June 20, 2009 at the Grappone Center in Concord
> The Local Energy Committee Working Group of the Carbon Coalition is  
> hosting a multi-track conference to help New Hampshire communities  
> reduce energy use, curb greenhouse gas emissions and save taxpayer  
> dollars. This day-long conference will include examples of projects  
> and provide participants with tools for action aimed at empowering  
> local energy committees. More info at: http:// 
> www.carboncoalition.org/Conference/index.php
>
>
> Where does your electricity come from?
> Tuesday, June 30th  7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Squam Lakes Natural Science  
> Center, Holderness, NH Flip the switch, the electrons flow and the  
> lights are on, but where do those electrons come from? Learn how  
> the New England bulk power system and region's wholesale energy  
> markets work. Hear Steve Kaminski, Vice President of Power  
> Resources and Access at New Hampshire Electric Co-op, explain how  
> the Co-op goes about buying the energy its members use and the Co- 
> op?s efforts to increase the role of renewable resources in "Co-op  
> Power."
>
> Save the Date:  Solarfest, Tinmouth, VT July 10, 11, 12  
> www.solarfest.com   It?s a great time. A favorite of PAREI members  
> ? join us for a weekend of camping, music, learning and fun.
>
> Member Sharing
>
> Craig Cadieux:  The test run for the truck is schedule for next  
> weekend.  I finished the battery and low voltage wiring this  
> weekend. Plugged it in, turned on switches, and there was no smoke  
> or sparks.! If the weather is decent next weekend we?ll get the bed  
> back on the truck and take it for spin. The batteries are currently  
> charging and I have a truck on jack stands. Tomorrow I?ll see if  
> the wheels spin. I updated the website with new pictures. http:// 
> www.evalbum.com/2141
>
>
> PAREI Membership
>
> Not a member yet? Please consider joining. Download our membership  
> form at: http://www.plymouthenergy.org/member2.pdf   Or call Robbin  
> Adams at the office at 603-536-5030 ext 3 and we?ll mail you a  
> membership form. Thank you to everyone who has become a new member  
> recently and to all of you who continue to support PAREI through  
> your membership renewals. Membership dues totaled over $13,000 in  
> 2008. This money supports our mission to increase access to  
> renewable energy in our community and provide education and  
> guidance to help all of our members plan for their energy future.
>
> Local Foods Plymouth
>
> Local Foods Plymouth (LFP) is a project of PAREI and all members  
> are encouraged to utilize this innovative resource. Reducing the  
> amount of distance your food travels from farm to kitchen is a  
> great way to reduce your household?s overall energy footprint.  The  
> next date to purchase food at the on-line marketplace is April 13th  
> and 14th.  To do so, create an account at: http:// 
> www.lfp.dacres.org  You can use a credit card or paypal account.
>
> If you are unfamiliar with the Local Foods Plymouth project send  
> your name and e-mail address to our LFP Coordinator, Melissa  
> Greenawalt-Yelle at localfoodsplymouth at gmail.net This will sign you  
> up for the ?Buy Local? e-mail that comes out regularly to remind  
> you of when the LFP site is active for buying, what is being  
> offered, when the farmers market is taking place (winter pick up is  
> at the UPS Store in Plymouth), recipes for local foods and all  
> kinds of newsy bits about the local agricultural scene. If you have  
> questions about how to use the LFP site for ordering, don?t  
> hesitate to call Melissa at 536-5030 ext 1. She is also happy to  
> meet with you one-on-one to help you learn how to use the website.  
> Melissa will be hosting a Break Out Session at our Energy Exchange  
> on April 17th to answer questions about Local Foods Plymouth ? see  
> above.
>
> Repeated from last month?s update???..
>
> PAREI Energy Advisors are available anytime to meet one on one with  
> fellow members to give tours of their Apricus solar water heating  
> systems (as well as wood boilers, solar photovoltaic systems,  
> energy efficient home building materials/techniques, solar air  
> circulators, and more). Just send an e-mail with the info you are  
> seeking to Sandra at plymouthenergy.org and we?ll make the  
> arrangements for you to meet with them.
>
> Apricus Solar Water Heating Collectors Bulk Order: Deadline April  
> 28th for shipment on May 1st. E-mail Sandra at plymouthenergy.org for  
> a current price list that includes a PAREI Membership Discount.  
> Collectors must be paid in full by April 28th. Shipping cost will  
> be divided by the number of families who participate in the order ?  
> roughly $65.  PAREI can help you install a solar water heating  
> collector via our volunteer energy raiser process, do it yourself  
> support and mentoring or coordinate a professional installation  
> with our sub-contractors. If you are new to solar water heating, we  
> urge you to attend the Solar Water Heating Break Out Session at our  
> April Energy Exchange, or call us to set up an appointment with a  
> nearby PAREI volunteer Energy Advisor to tour a solar water heating  
> installation at a time that works for you.
>
> PAREI adds a Community Partner Membership Category:  To answer the  
> call from communities around New England, PAREI has developed a new  
> membership category called Community Partner. For $150, people/ 
> communities can join PAREI and will receive the above DVD/CD Rom  
> package as well as initial over the phone consultation by their  
> assigned Partner Advisor on how to start their own organization/ 
> energy raiser group.  PAREI has also added a list of services that  
> will provide guidance for others looking to run volunteer energy  
> raisers in New Hampshire and New England communities. Check out the  
> services for partners at http://www.plymouthenergy.org/support.htm
>
>
> ***
>
> ** PAREI?s Community Energy Raisers are modeled after a ?barn- 
> raising? following the tradition of neighbor helping neighbor.  The  
> goals of the Energy Raisers are: to increase the community?s  
> accessibility to solar energy, bring down the cost of installing  
> renewable energy systems, to provide hands on education for the  
> homeowner so they end up with a strong understanding of how their  
> system works, to develop a support network of knowledgeable  
> families; to provide local tradespeople an avenue to learn about  
> installing renewable energy systems and to build community  
> connections while we all prepare for life in a lower energy world.  
> Energy Raiser hosts have volunteered at previous installations and  
> will pay the favor forward at future Raisers. The teams for the day  
> are Rack Installers (wall or roof), Wiring/Controller Install,  
> Basement Plumbing, Chase Plumbing, Pipe Insulating, Tube Assembly  
> Line, Observers/Extra Hands. Tradespeople and Handypersons with  
> tools are encouraged to bring suitable tools. Others should bring  
> when feasible a tool belt with work gloves, black sharpie, tape  
> measurer, rag and utility knife.  Thus far PAREI members have  
> conducted 33 volunteer Energy Raisers; 1 solar air circulator, 28  
> solar hot water, three solar photovoltaic and one wind generator.
>
> The Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative was organized to  
> encourage energy conservation, energy efficiency practices and  
> promote the use of renewable energy in homes, businesses and other  
> buildings in the Plymouth region through education, community  
> outreach, accessibility and service coordination.  The office is  
> located at 69 Main Street in Plymouth,  NH and is open by  
> appointment or by chance. To make an office appointment or for more  
> information call: 603-536-5030 or visit www.plymouthenergy.org  
> Membership Forms are available on line. To be removed from this e- 
> mail list just reply with "Remove" in the subject line.
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From diane.brandon at gmail.com  Thu Apr 30 04:57:24 2009
From: diane.brandon at gmail.com (Diane Brandon)
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:57:24 -0400
Subject: [CoolCommunities] CMP/power lines/an alternative? - Kittery meeting
Message-ID: <2CBF16E5-20C2-41DF-A4D8-488E7C835A55@gmail.com>

 From the Green Alliance eNewsletter - sounds interesting and worth  
learning about - perhaps you all receive the Green Alliance eNews,  
but in case some don't, here's the info:

Central Maine Power Company has proposed a major $1.5 billion upgrade  
of its transmission grid to accommodate what it projects to be growth  
in peak load over the next decade.  This project will impact hundreds  
of private landowners across south and central Maine as CMP exercises  
its right of eminent domain to take land for new transmission  
corridors and to expand existing ones.

A new Maine company, GridSolar, has proposed a Smart Grid alternative  
- the GridSolar Project.  The GridSolar Project will meet peak load  
growth by developing distributed solar generation in those regions of  
Maine where such load growth occurs.  It represents a lower cost  
option, one that is environmentally less impactful, does not require  
the use of eminent domain and creates the potential for thousands of  
new "green" jobs.

Learn more about this exciting project this month at the Grid Solar  
Forum hosted by Kittery's Energy Committee at the Kittery Trading  
Post, Rt. 1, in Kittery, ME, at 6:30 on May 5th. This event is free  
and open to the public. For more info contact sarah at greenalliance.biz  
or go to www.gridsolarme.com