Many people think of October as the true beginning of fall.  Others are focused on the spectacle of collecting free candy door to door on Halloween.  Still others, at least until the recent federal Energy Bill takes effect, know October as the month in which we all gain a restful hour of sleep.  But October is so much more than that!  As I’m sure we all know, October is “Energy Awareness Month” across our nation.  And here at SmartPower we are celebrating accordingly.

October has been a particularly busy time for our “It’s real. It’s here. It’s working.  Let’s make more.” marketing campaign.  Our new ads with Ed Asner, an aggressive media campaign in Pennsylvania, the continuing roaring success of our Clean Energy Communities project in Connecticut, and the 20% by 2010 Campaign in Rhode Island, all demonstrate how SmartPower continues to aggressively market clean energy state to state.  Add to that a new effort underway in Massachusetts and even interest in our work from overseas, and we begin to realize that our non-profit marketing campaign is really taking off.

Administratively, SmartPower is growing too.  We’ve brought on two new Board members, a new full-time staff member, and we’re building our Board of Advisors to include such notables as Ed Asner, Christie Brinkley and Gus Speth.  It’s been an exciting time.

But not lost on us is all the troubling news about hurricanes, high gasoline prices, earthquakes, mudslides and the continuing war in Iraq.  As the harsh reality and daily tragedies hit home, we are reminded that SmartPower’s goals are more urgently needed than ever before.  Global climate change is real – and one of the key solutions is clean energy.  That’s why this October – this Energy Awareness Month – we are recommitting ourselves to the vital task of marketing clean energy from coast to coast.  With a strong, robust clean energy market, we will create clean air, a healthy community and true energy independence.

Clean energy.  It’s real. It’s here. It’s working.  Let’s make more!

Brian F. Keane is President of SmartPower.

Oct. 15. – “6th Annual Brooksvale Festival –  This year’s theme is “Living Lightly on the Earth.”  The Environmental Expo will include a clean energy table staffed by SmartPower collaborator New Haven Action.  Citizens from 20% by 2010 towns such as Hamden, Cheshire, Bethany, Orange and New Haven can help their communities earn free solar energy systems by signing up for the CTCleanEnergyOptions^SM program.  The event, which is sponsored by Hamden’s Parks & Recreation Department, Hamden Community Services and Friends of Brooksvale Park, also features live music, arts & crafts, animals and food.  Brooksvale Park, 524 Brooksvale Ave., Hamden, CT.  Saturday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; rain date Sunday, Oct. 16.

Oct. 18-19 - The 2005 SEP Northeast Regional Energy Conference ] – Hosted by NYSERDA partnered with the DOE Northeast Regional Office in association with the Northeast State Energy Offices, including Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.  SmartPower’s Brian Keane will give a presentation entitled “Marketing: Getting the End User Interested” on Oct. 18 at 9:15 a.m.  The Saratoga (formerly Prime Hotel and Conference Center), Saratoga Springs.  Tuesday, Oct. 18, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m

Oct. 18 – Connecticut Conference of Municipalities 23rd Convention & Exposition – “Embracing Change – Make It Work for You” will feature keynote addresses by Claire Gaudiani (former Connecticut College President and Yale Research Scholar) and Colin McEnroe (commentator-columnist) and a number of informative workshops for municipal leaders.  SmartPower and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund will celebrate the Clean Energy Communities program with a table at the Green Buildings workshop at 1 p.m.  Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT.  Tuesday, Oct. 18, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Oct. 19 –“Smart Energy, Smart Choices” – The latest event in the Environment 101 statewide environmental education series sponsored by the CT League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.  This program, which begins at 7 p.m., will focus on clean energy choices that impact our lives everyday, from turning on our lights to riding on public transportation.  Speakers include Lynn Stoddard of the Department of Environmental Protection, Bob Wall of SmartPower and citizen activist Andy Bauer.  Davenport Campus Center, 222 Church Street, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT.  For further information, please contact Christine Homa at (860) 236-5442 or at ctedfund@earthlink.net. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23-25 – Fuel Cell Summit 2005 – This year’s event features two conferences in one.  The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is proud to sponsor "Manufacturing…Alternative Energy's Future" which is designed to focus on development and manufacturing issues and allow for a meaningful exchange between various industries. Co-sponsor the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund presents "Moving Fuel Cells Into the Mainstream", highlighting successful applications of portable, small and large stationary fuel cells in industrial, commercial, international and military applications. Policymakers, manufacturers, utilities and regulators will convene to seek new solutions to opening commercial markets further.  Keynote speakers include Andrew Hargadon, University of California at Davis; Arno Evers, Arno A. Evers FAIR-PR; Allan Jones, London Climate Change Agency; and Vijay Vaitheeswaran, The Economist.  Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT.  Sunday, Oct. 23, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 24, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 25, 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m.

Oct. 24-26 – Tenth National Green Power Marketing Conference – This conference will examine the status of clean energy marketing in electricity markets and explore strategies to increase the development of renewable energy resources through customer choice.  Organizers include the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Center for Resource Solutions.  Participants will celebrate and build on a decade of success by examining the growth of clean energy markets with particular emphasis on communicating best practices for product design and marketing and program implementation.  Vijay Vaitheeswaran of The Economist will give the keynote presentation.  SmartPower will be featured on two separate panels: Monday, Bob Wall will discuss Connecticut’s Clean Energy Communities as part of the forum “State Policy Support for Green Power Markets,” 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.  On Tuesday, Brian Keane will serve as a panelist on a forum entitled “Green Power Marketing Materials and Messages: Past, Present and Future.” 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.  Austin Marriott at the Capitol, Austin, TX.

Oct. 22 & Oct. 26 –Innovative Teamwork Workshop to Advance Green Building – Offered by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association and the Boston Society of Architects, this workshop, given by internationally recognized team expert Dr. Susan Wheelan, focuses on effective team building with a focus on green building design and construction.  Monday, October 24, 9 a.m.-12 noon at the Boston Society of Architects, Boston, MA; Thursday, October 27, 9 a.m.-12 noon at the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Greenfield, MA.  Supported by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's Renewable Energy Trust.

Oct., ongoing – Clean Energy Corn Maze – Experience the fun of a good old fashioned corn maze and learn about clean energy at the same time (see article in September 2005 Monthly Charge).  The maze is open weekends through October from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 5 Merrow Road, Mansfield, CT.

Oct., ongoing – Green Dollhouse Display – Continuation of exhibit featuring solar electric panels and other components that promote energy conservation.  Sponsored by the Branford Conservation and Environment Commission.  This month the exhibition has moved to the Willoughby Library in Branford, CT. 

Ed Asner

“Let’s Make More!” is rallying cry for Connecticut Clean Energy Options Program

Ed Asner has made a cottage industry out of being hard to impress – playing gruff but loveable characters in movies, television and most recently on Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show.  Asner’s recurring sketch, “Impress Ed Asner,” has become one of the late night talk show’s most anticipated skits.

But there is something that does impress Ed Asner.  And that’s clean energy. 

Click to hear Ed Asner’s radio ad for SmartPower

Earlier this month, in a studio in Los Angeles, Asner recorded two radio ads for SmartPower.  The radio spots will be heard on stations throughout Connecticut and will encourage residents to sign up for Connecticut’s Clean Energy Options Program.  “Simply by logging onto www.gocleanenergy.com,” Asner says, “Connecticut residents can help support the creation of more clean energy from wind, water and other clean energy sources.”

Signing off with SmartPower’s “Clean Energy: It’s real. It’s here. It’s working. Let’s make more,” Asner’s tone and inflection will help to make “Let’s make more” a national catch phrase for clean energy.

“A national voice such as Ed Asner’s only helps to hit home to people that clean energy is real. It’s here. And it’s working,” said SmartPower president Brian F. Keane. “More exciting than the celebrity endorsement of Ed Asner, however, is the reality that Ed Asner is hard to impress.  And the fact the he not only knows that clean energy is a strong and viable alternative to coal and oil  – but is also willing to stake his reputation on it – speaks volumes about the success SmartPower is having in marketing clean energy and making it accepted throughout society.”