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The Advantages of Portable Solar Power

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Written by Tom Masters from https://www.sheltonroofing.com/

When most people think about solar energy, they think about solar panels sitting on a roof of a home that work to gather the sun’s rays to make power to use inside the home. Today however, portable solar power can be taken on the road to use while camping, traveling or any other situation where you need power but don’t have access to electricity. Portable solar power is even great to have available at home to use during blackouts from storms or other natural disasters. Here are some advantages of portable solar power:

Eco-Friendly

Solar power is an eco-friendly way to power a home, business or even camping trip. Generators are not always welcome at campgrounds or in public spaces, but portable solar power is quiet, has no dangerous fumes and can be used virtually anywhere that you need power.

Great for Entertainment and Comfort

If you have ever been camping or taken a long road trip with children or teens, you know that entertainment during overnight stops or extended stays is mandatory. With portable solar power, you can power up and have the family listening to music or even watching television in no time at all. It’s also ideal for powering up a fan to stay cool and comfortable during any outdoor adventure.

Cost Efficient

Since portable solar is powered purely through the sun’s rays, it is completely free to use. While other portable charging devices may rely on batteries or fuel, portable solar power relies solely on the sun. There is no additional charge for using portable solar, so as long as you have access to direct sunlight, you can have peace of mind that electricity will be generated with no other input necessary.

A Solid Investment

Portable solar power is a solid investment that you can utilize for many years. As the cost of electricity continuously rises year after year, the sun remains the same. During a power outage, using portable solar power may be a great way to not only power the essentials, but a way to save money.

Lightweight

When you invest in a solar powered generator, be sure to choose one that is lightweight so you will have no trouble hauling it from place to place. This is an investment that should last for many years, so choose one that offers high wattage and is sturdy.

Reliable

Portable solar power is a reliable source of energy because it is powered through the sun rather than fuel, so there is no concern of running out of power. When the electricity goes out during a storm or you are camping out in the wilderness, portable solar power is great to have on hand so you can stay in touch with those you need to communicate with. Portable photovoltaic can be used to charge your communication devices including cell phones, walkie-talkies, laptops, iPads and more. It comes in handy to be able to communicate if you decide to head into the woods for a long hike and want to be able to stay in contact in case an emergency should happen to arise.

As you can see, there are many advantages to using portable solar power at home or on the road. This incredible source of power is easy to take along, lightweight and ideal for emergencies, travel and more. With the great advances that technology has made, and continues to make, portable solar power is the perfect way to power your devices when you want to decrease your carbon footprint. 

An Important Conversation on Climate, National Security, and the Independence of the Intelligence Community with Dr. Rod Schoonover

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By Ariana Cepulis and Lukas Lehmann

Until three weeks ago, Dr. Rod Schoonover was a Senior Analyst in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the US Department of State.

In his position at the State Department, Dr. Schoonover was responsible for analyzing potential national security risks posed by climate change. In early June, Dr. Schoonover prepared written testimony on the security implications of climate change for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, only to have his testimony blocked from reaching Congress by the White House because it did not align with the administration’s views on climate science. At the last minute, Dr. Schoonover was given clearance to give a five minute summary of the testimony, but the testimony was never entered into the official record.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. Schoonover chose to resign.

Which brings us to last Tuesday afternoon when Dr. Schoonover spoke for the first time since his resignation at the World Resources Institute regarding his departure from civil service and the consequences that omission of his testimony will have on the integrity of the intelligence community. 

When asked about the national security implications of the politicization of the basic fact of climate change, Dr. Schoonover responded, “Our national security rests on scientific integrity. When we weaken our scientific base, we weaken our information base.”

As is becoming increasingly clear, climate change has far greater and more alarming political and economic consequences than just the increasing regularity of extreme weather events. Shifts in weather patterns fundamentally alter the ecological systems in the biosphere that have shaped our societies and our world economies. For instance, if temperatures continue to rise, we will not just experience more heat waves and witness sea levels rise as the ice caps melt; the impact will be felt through the depletion of fisheries, the spread of disease carrying organisms, and changes in agriculture. As such, Dr. Schoonover advocates for “broadening out from a weather centric aperture” and instead recognizing the deep socioeconomic consequences of a changing climate. It is as a result of these fundamental political and economic repercussions that climate change is a national security issue. 

Nevertheless, Dr. Schoonover seemed optimistic regarding the recent advancements of climate science and its increasing ability to effectively convey the heightened likelihood of extreme weather events that we are experiencing due to climate change. 

When asked if the US was prepared for the threat of climate change, Dr. Schoonover replied, “Arguably, no country is ready for the full slate of climate-related risks.” 

Well, it’s time to get ready.

Where Business Meets Climate: Congress and Business Leaders Meet to Discuss Climate Crisis

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Written by: Lukas Lehmann & Ariana Cepulis

As the temperatures continued to rise this past Thursday afternoon, Members of Congress and business leaders gathered at the Rayburn House Office Building to discuss the economic ramifications of climate change. Just as the House was adjourning for an August recess, the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis began its hearing. 

The panel providing testimony represented a variety of actors involved in mitigating the risk of climate change related disasters.  Among them: Paula DiPerna – Special Advisor to the “CDP”, Francis Bouchard – Head of Sustainability at the Zurich Insurance Group; Garvin Jabusch – Chief Investment Officer at Green Alpha Advisors; and Jay Walker – Executive VP of Commercial Landing at South Louisiana Bank and President of the Morganza Action Coalition.

The hearing kicked off with an impassioned call-to-action from Chairwoman Kathy Castor (D-FL) in which she warned of the $1 trillion in climate-related risks that our country faces and declared that building a clean energy economy “must be the future.” 

Castor’s opening remarks set a tone of urgency for the remainder of the hearing. One concern about the securities market in particular came from Jabusch of Green Alpha Advisors, who noted that many of the companies listed in the S&P 500 and other indices are either contributing to and/or not mitigating the effects that climate change will have on future business operations. He suggested that since so many people have bought into indices without considering this risk, the economy was essentially running on “auto-pilot.” 

Francis Bouchard from the Zurich Insurance Group also raised alarm about the future of the insurance industry. According to his data, 2017 and 2018 were the costliest years to insure property due to the natural disasters that occurred during that time. He went on to say that current rates of insurance do not adequately reflect what will follow in the coming years. As the risk of disaster rises, so will rates, said Bouchard.

While much of the testimony brought to light the cost of the damages our country has already fronted ($312 billion in extreme weather costs in the US last year alone, according to Bouchard), there was also a feeling of optimism as business leaders shared the solutions that were working for them and the opportunities for growth looking into the future. Jay Walker of Morganza Action Coalition discussed the success of levee construction in Louisiana that has helped to prevent flooding in coastal communities.  Meanwhile, Zurich Insurance Group’s Bouchard supported Walker’s advocacy for resiliency funding with a claim that for every dollar invested in natural disaster mitigation, five dollars are saved. 

By the end of the hearing, an almost unanimous consensus seemed to be reached after Ranking Member Rep. Garrett Graves (R-LA) posed the following question: “Do you believe the federal government is doing a good job with regards to resiliency and adaptation?”  Their answers:

            Bouchard: “No.”

            Walker: “No.”

            Jabusch: “No.”

            DiPerna: “No.”

Although policy suggestions differed among the members of Congress and business leaders, there was unilateral agreement that climate change is leading to increased environmental catastrophes and that the potential economic consequences are enormous. Something needs to be done.

The participants all were echoing a similar call — It’s time for the federal government to do more to protect people from climate change.

Three Communities Kick-off Fall Solarize RI Campaign

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Barrington, Bristol and South Kingstown Launch solar campaigns

Providence, R.I., – Representatives from the Office of Energy Resources (OER), the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and the non-profit organization SmartPower joined with municipal leaders today to announce the three communities that will participate in the Fall 2017 Solarize Rhode Island program.

“Riding on the heels of the tremendous success of Solarize’s spring round, we are excited to have the towns of Barrington, Bristol and South Kingstown join us for the new season,” said Carol Grant, Commissioner, Office of Energy Resources. “This will be the second round of participation for all three towns, which is a testament to the effectiveness of this program and shows that town leaders and residents are enthusiastic about doing their part to build a clean energy future in RI.”

“The expansion of Solarize RI provides a great opportunity for residents and small businesses to lower their energy bill, while at the same time ramping up the state’s green energy efforts,” said Rhode Island Commerce Corporation President Darin Early. “Lowering energy costs and accelerating the use of green technologies are key components in our strategy to bettering the business climate and quality of life for all Rhode Islanders.”

Three new municipalities were selected through a request for application process to participate in the Fall round of Solarize – Barrington, Bristol and South Kingstown will be kicking off their programs on October 27th and residents in all three municipalities can sign up to participate in the program starting immediately. Municipal representatives from each community and their chosen installers will be present for a kick-off event at the Kingstown Free Library on October 26th at 1pm.

“Now more than ever it’s important to Solarize,” said Brian F. Keane, President of SmartPower. “Each day we are seeing the tragedies of climate change as our fellow citizens grapple with the results of major hurricanes and wildfires. Solarize offers each of us an opportunity to be a part of the solution while helping our own communities and our own households.”

Solarize Rhode Island is a community-based outreach campaign that seeks to increase the adoption of small-scale solar electricity in participating communities through a competitive tiered pricing structure that increases the savings for everyone as more home and business owners sign contracts. Now in its third year, Solarize Rhode Island, a partnership between the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER), the Commerce Corporation, and the non-profit marketing firm SmartPower, has led to more than 595 residents and business owners in 15 municipalities signing contracts for small-scale solar electricity systems.

In addition to Rhode Island residents and businesses signing up for Solar, the campaign educates hundreds and even thousands more Rhode Islanders about the economic and environmental benefits of solar electricity, energy efficiency and other clean energy technologies.

Barrington, Bristol, and South Kingstown ran successful Solarize campaigns in 2015 and 2016 resulting in over 100 new solar installations combined.

“The Town of South Kingstown is excited to be participating in its second round of the Solarize Program.” said Stephen A. Alfred, Town Manager, “We felt this program was extremely successful during our initial participation in the Fall of 2015.  This new round of Solarize will raise awareness of opportunities to adopt renewable energy systems on residential and commercial properties and provide local citizens with additional cost savings.”

Kate Weymouth, Vice President of the Barrington Town Council stated: “The Town of Barrington is pleased to be part of the second round of Solarize RI, the first round was a great success with 45 contracts signed. We are eager to work with the employee owned, RI-based solar installation company, Sol Power, and look forward to increasing the number of Barrington households with solar energy capabilities.”

“The Town of Bristol is excited to be selected to participate in the next round of the Solarize Program.” stated Town Manager, Steven Contente. “This partnership with the RI Office of Energy Resources is a great opportunity and gives residents easier access to renewable energy.  This is Bristol’s second time to be selected and we look forward to seeing continued interest in the program by our residents.”

Upcoming events, open houses and information tabling in each community will be scheduled in the coming weeks. For more information about these events, to sign up or find out more about Solarize RI contact Malinda Howard or Karen Stewart at: 401-215-3285 or go to www.solarizeri.com.

About Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) is the lead state agency on energy policy and programs. OER’s mission is to lead Rhode Island to a secure, cost-effective, and sustainable energy future. OER works closely with private and public stakeholders to increase the reliability and security of our energy supply, reduce energy costs and mitigate price volatility, and improve environmental quality. www.energy.ri.gov

About Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is the official economic development organization for the state of Rhode Island. The Commerce Corporation’s mission is to work with public, private and non-profit partners to create the conditions for businesses in all sectors to thrive and to improve the quality of life for our citizens by promoting the state’s long-term economic health and prosperity. The corporation manages the state’s Renewable Energy Fund, which provides grants and loans for renewable energy projects with the potential to make electricity in a cleaner, more sustainable manner, while stimulating job growth in the green technology and energy sectors of Rhode Island’s economy. www.commerceri.com

About SmartPower

SmartPower is the nation’s leading non-profit social marketing firm dedicated to promoting clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Named the “Best Non-profit Marketing Firm in the US”, SmartPower’s mission is to help Americans make smart energy choices by creating on-the-ground campaigns that engage the public and generate measurable energy actions. www.smartpower.org

SmartPower President Receives $50,000 Frank Hatch “Sparkplug” Award

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Brian F. Keane, SmartPower Founder, is recipient of John Merck Fund’s Highest Award

Boston – Brian F. Keane, President of the nonprofit clean energy organization, SmartPower, was awarded the $50,000 Frank Hatch “Sparkplug” Award for Enlightened Public Service by The John Merck Fund today. The award is granted annually to an outstanding leader whose work embodies extraordinary creativity, dedication, and foresight.

“Brian’s vision, energy, and passion exemplify the purpose of the Sparkplug Award,” said Serena H. Whitridge, Chair of The John Merck Fund board, in presenting the award. “SmartPower’s unrivaled success in helping to mainstream clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency to the American people has changed the consumer and environmental landscape in ways once thought simply unimaginable.”

The Fund, one of the original funders of SmartPower, created the Frank Hatch Sparkplug award in 2006 to honor its longtime former chairman, Frank Hatch. Ms. Whitridge is Frank Hatch’s daughter.

“Fifteen years ago The John Merck Fund – and specifically Frank Hatch – helped create SmartPower,” said Keane. “To me Frank Hatch has always been a political leader, an environmental hero – and a personal mentor. And now, to receive this award in Frank’s name is beyond humbling. It is, of course, personally and professionally gratifying. But beyond that I accept this award as a legacy of Frank Hatch’s dedication and life’s work. And to be sure, we will in turn rededicate ourselves to continuing Frank’s work and the work of The John Merck Fund.”

Brian Keane and his wife Kate Sawyer Keane are contributing the award to SmartPower.

“The work of Brian Keane and SmartPower is a testament that big and bold ideas can be put into action,” said Ms. Whitridge. “When the experts said clean energy could never be cost competitive with conventional energy, SmartPower went and proved it could be. The experts said Americans would never want to buy solar energy for their homes, they said clean energy and energy efficiency could never be mainstreamed and embedded into American culture. Look around you – hybrid and electric cars, solar power, and Nest Thermostats are everywhere. Congratulations to this year’s recipient, Brian F. Keane.”

SmartPower is based in Washington, DC, and works in communities from coast to coast helping American consumers embrace clean energy and become more energy efficient.

SmartPower President Brian F. Keane Named CEO of The Year

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Washington, DC – Brian F. Keane, the President of SmartPower (www.smartPower.org), the nation’s leading non-profit marketing firm dedicated to promoting clean energy and energy efficiency has been named the 2016 CEO of the Year by Corporate LiveWire.

Each year Corporate LiveWire publishes and celebrates the innovation and excellence of those firms, teams and individuals who have shown continued excellence, and innovation amid ongoing global economic uncertainty.

You can download the full Press Release HERE – or read it on one of the following news outlets:

SmartPower & National Grid Win EPA Excellence Award

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Rhode Island Energy Challenge: “Find Your Four” Campaign Honored

WASHINGTON – PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Today,

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the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will recognize National Grid and SmartPower for their innovative work on clean air and climate with the 2016 Clean Air Excellence Award. The Clean Air Excellence Awards are given to state, local, tribal, and private sector programs that educate the public in improving air quality or reducing harmful air pollutants or greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

This year the EPA Announced 7 Clean Air Excellence Awards in six categories (1) Education and Outreach; (2) Clean Air Technology; (3) Community Action; (4) Regulatory and Policy Innovation; (5) Transportation and Energy Innovation; (6) The Thomas W. Zosel Individual Award.

National Grid and SmartPower have been awarded in the Education and Outreach category for The Rhode Island Energy Challenge: Find Your Four! Campaign. The grassroots energy efficiency campaign encouraged customers across Rhode Island to ‘find four’ simple energy reductions they can undertake in their homes or businesses. Consumer knowledge on the need to reduce energy consumption and associating greenhouse gas emissions saw a demonstrated increase, with 90 percent of participating homeowners taking at least one energy reduction effort, and 75 percent of participating homeowners indicating improved understanding of their energy use.

“Each of these award winners has taken real, tangible steps to improve public health in their communities by reducing air pollutants or greenhouse gases,” said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “These projects reflect the creativity and commitment of public and private sector organizations to make a difference and drive us toward a cleaner, healthier future.”

“The Rhode Island Energy Challenge is the embodiment of our motto – ‘Here with you. Here for you,’” said Timothy F. Horan, President of National Grid of Rhode Island. “And working with SmartPower we’ve been able to connect and work with cities and towns throughout the state to save energy.”

“It’s a huge honor to share this award with National Grid,” said Brian F. Keane, President of SmartPower. “Clean Air Excellence isn’t simply an award – it’s a way of life that we need to ensure for all Americans. And it’s clear that National Grid, the state of Rhode Island and ‘Find Your Four’ are leading the way!”

The Clean Air Excellence awards program was established in 2000, and recognizes individuals that serve as pioneers in their fields, advance public understanding of air pollution and improve air quality. Entries are judged by the EPA and the Clean Air Advisory Committee, and winners will be recognized later today at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

View the original Press Release HERE!

SmartPower Named 2016 Marketing Agency of the Year!

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Selected As Silver Winner by American Business Awards

silverSmartPower has been named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award in the Marketing Agency of the Year category in The 14th Annual American Business Awards.

The American Business Awards are the nation’s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small.

SmartPower was selected for the Silver Award from over 3,400 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry. More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners.

This is the second major award SmartPower has won since December when we were named “The Best Non-Profit Marketing Firm” in the US by Wealth and Finance Magazine earlier this year.

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Brian F. Keane
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SmartPower’s “Solarize” Hits $100 Million in Rooftop Solar!

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Non-Profit Announces Major Financial Milestone Made With Less Than $3.5m Investments

Washington, DC – SmartPower, the nation’s leading non-profit marketing firm dedicated to promoting clean energy and energy efficiency today announced a major milestone in its “Solarize” group-purchasing program. In just 3 years – and with investments of less than $3.5 million — the SmartPower Solarize campaigns have resulted in over $100 million of residential solar energy. “This is a major milestone for SmartPower and our Solarize campaigns,” said Brian F. Keane, President of SmartPower. “With investments of less than $3.5 million, we have created over $100 million worth of solar energy throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. It’s a major achievement for the solar industry, the environment and our economy.” SmartPower’s announcement comes amid recent high profile losses among some of the industry’s largest solar companies, the most recent being SunEdison’s stunning demise. Once the darling of the solar industry, SunEdison today teeters on bankruptcy. “We know this is an emerging market,” said SmartPower’s Keane. “What we’re seeing today is similar to the tech boom of the 1990’s. Some companies will thrive, and others will not. But the lesson in our announcement today is that in this emerging marketplace, our Solarize group-buy model, backed by key funders who support clean, renewable energy and utilizing pre-selected solar installers, makes residential and small commercial solar a sound investment that can scale up quickly with minimal risk.” Key features of the Solarize model include support by local communities, pre-selected solar installers with competitive pricing, attractive financing options including a zero-dollar down option, and a 16-20 week campaign with a clear end date. This SmartPower formula has resulted in over 20,000 homeowners requesting solar site visits to see if their homes are good for solar. In 2012 with a grant from The John Merck Fund and an investment from The Connecticut Green Bank, SmartPower launched “The New England Solar Challenge”, a residential solar campaign that morphed into Solarize Connecticut and various “Solarize” campaigns throughout New England. In Connecticut alone, over 18MW of residential solar were installed in three years bringing solar to over 2,000 Connecticut residents. “Added together, these households are greater than any utility-scale solar array in New England,” continued Keane. “And we did it in less time than any utility could.” The numbers at a glance: In three years-

  • $100 million of solar installed
  • Less than $3.5 million invested
  • More than 3500 residential homes “solarized”
  • More than 20,000 residents inquired about solar energy for their homes
  • More than 28 MW installed
  • More than 25,000 metric tons of Green House Gases Reduced Annually

About Smartpower Founded in 2002 by a group of private foundations to help support the growth of clean energy, SmartPower’s mission is to help Americans make smart energy choices. Recently named the “best non-profit marketing firm in the US”. SmartPower’s exclusive

focus on energy efficiency and clean energy results in high visibility, high impact on-the-ground community campaigns designed to transform how consumers use, adopt and invest in clean energy and energy efficiency. SmartPower is leading Solarize campaigns in multiple states. For more information, please visit www.smartpower.org