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Progressive Action Roundtable: A forum for progressive groups in the Greater New Haven Area where actions and ideas may be publicized so that others are aware of peace, health, justice, energy, environmental and other issues for the common good.

Archive for category Energy

Vermont faces legal challenge in effort to close aging nuclear plant

Mar 4

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Energy, Environment | No Comments

– Free Speech Radio News, posted: 23 Feb 2012

The state of Vermont will continue to fight to shut down an aging nuclear plant that shares the same design with the ones in Fukushima that exploded and melted down in Japan. The VT Yankee nuclear power plant was scheduled to close in March, when its 40-year-old state license expires. But a federal court ruled in January that the state had overstepped its authority when it blocked the plant’s owner, Entergy Nuclear, from extending the license. The VT attorney general announced he would appeal the ruling.

Via: Vermont faces legal challenge in effort to close aging nuclear plant | Free Speech Radio News.

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Call Gov. Malloy to support energy efficiency programs

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Energy | No Comments

– Roger Smith, CT Clean Water Action

For years we battled just to protect the Energy Efficiency Funds from ending up in the state budget.  Thanks to your support, we won, and now we have an opportunity to help more people save energy. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is deliberating on whether to increase our state’s energy efficiency programs and is poised to make a decision shortly. We need your help to show Gov. Dannel Malloy and DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty strong public support for efficiency rather than freezing funding for programs like Home Energy Solutions at current levels.

Inaction would hand $1 billion in consumer savings to unregulated, for-profit power plant owners to buy more electricity and generate more pollution. Our governor has a choice of whether to send more of our money out of state for natural gas, oil and coal or to help residents make their homes and businesses more energy efficient. Not only would increased energy efficiency help more people cut their electric bills, but it would also create local jobs, help address Connecticut’s summer ozone smog problem and achieve our state’s global warming pollution limits.

Call Gov. Malloy or email him. Tell him state law requires that our energy needs be met first through cost-effective energy efficiency investments as they are cheaper and less polluting than generating more electricity. The last state energy plan has found that helping homes, municipalities and businesses increase their energy efficiency is the most effective way to reduce energy costs and comply with our 2007 energy law.

Have you used the state’s energy efficiency programs for your home or business?  If so, tell your story in your email. If not, after you send your email, get started with a Home Energy Solutions assessment of your own home!

Take Action: support help for consumers rather than power plant owners. Thanks for supporting energy efficiency as the foundation of a clean energy future. Gov. Malloy’s phone number: (860) 566-4840!

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Clean Energy Job in Hartford

Dec 1

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Energy | No Comments

– submitted by People’s Action for Clean Energy

WANTED: Senior Partnership Manager – Connecticut

3Degrees is seeking a dynamic individual to manage 3Degrees’ CTCleanEnergyOptions renewable energy product offered throughout Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) and United Illuminating (UI) electric service territories in Connecticut. CTCleanEnergyOptions is an National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Top Ten program, boasting the 7th highest participation level in the country for voluntary green power programs, which allow electric customers the opportunity to support the development of new renewable energy. 3Degrees was awarded a five-year contract to promote CTCleanEnergyOptions. This position will manage the planning and execution of outreach and education efforts for 3Degrees’ CTCleanEnergyOptions product throughout the state.

This is a full-time position requiring program management, relationship management, marketing management, management of community outreach, and budget planning and management.

Program Management: Overall responsibility for the staff processes and relationships required to build a highly successful program.
Relationship Management: Develop relationship and work closely with Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA), key community leaders in participating cities and towns in the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities program, and CL&P and UI staff. Develop a positive long-term relationship with the above stakeholders through a commitment to quality work products, timeliness, and attention to detail.
Marketing Management: Coordinate multi-channel marketing efforts from conception to execution including targeted community outreach, direct mail, bill inserts, online marketing, newsletters, etc. Apply understanding of marketing concepts, customer demographics, marketing communication vehicles, and renewable energy to design and execute an effective annual marketing plan.
Community Outreach Responsibilities: Manage a team of part-time field staff members working locally and in remote locations. Identify and schedule events, tabling locations, and canvassing routes for field team. Directly supervise and train field team in best sales practices. Ability and desire to foster a healthy work environment and mentor a staff of committed individuals.
Budget planning and management: Develop, then manage an annual budget required to deploy the marketing plan.

If you are interested in helping make the world a cleaner, more renewable place and you believe this position is a good fit for you, please review the CTCleanEnergyOptions site for more information: www.ctcleanenergyoptions.com

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Last Call For Politicians To Vote On Decent Energy Legislation This Session

May 31

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Energy | No Comments

–Paula Panzarella, Fight the Hike

This is the final stretch for Senate Bill 1, a comprehensive energy bill whose goals are: lowering electric rates in Connecticut, promoting renewable energy, and creating Connecticut jobs in the clean energy industry. Please call your legislators to urge its passage.

Our next meeting will be a gathering on Thursday, June 23, 6 p.m. at Delaney’s Restaurant, 882 Whalley Avenue. We plan to celebrate all the work we’ve done and acknowledge how far we’ve come in the five years we’ve been fighting for fair electric rates, transparency, accountability and safe renewable energy. Please call (203) 562-2798 if you’d like to join us so we can let the restaurant know how many people are expected.

Thank you for all your help throughout this campaign!

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Fight The Hike Update

Apr 25

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Energy | No Comments

by Paula Panzarella

The current legislative session ends on May 5, and two of the bills that Fight the Hike has been promoting are making their way through the process of debate in various committees. If the bills are presented to the House and the Senate and both houses vote in favor of them, CT residents will not only have a greater chance of lower electric bills, but also more accountability, transparency, new energy generation under state auspices and a greater promotion of renewable energy.

The bills are:

H.B. No. 5505, An Act Concerning Electric Rate Relief and H.B. No. 5507, An Act Concerning Consumer Protections In The Retail Electricity Market. We hope PAR readers will contact their State Representatives and Senator to vote in favor of these bills.

The next Fight the Hike meeting is after the legislative session ends. We hope our meeting on Thursday, May 20, 6 p.m., will also be a celebration for successful passage of these bills. All are welcome. Our meeting will be held at New Haven City Hall, 165 Church St., 2nd floor, Meeting Room 3. Call (203) 562-2798 or e-mail paulapanzarella@yahoo.com for more information.

Oil Co-Op Offering Increased Savings On Electricity

Mar 31

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Energy | No Comments

by Meredith Willson, Citizen’s Oil Co-op

Citizen’s Oil Co-op, Inc. announces that it has recently partnered with Starion Energy to provide electrical power for less to Connecticut residents. Consumers signing up through the Co-op by phone or on-line will receive additional savings to Starion’s already reduced rates. Through this partnership, CL&P and UI customers would save approximately 10% of the generation rate on their monthly bill. This is another way that the Citizen’s Oil Co-op is working to help consumers save on the high cost of utilities.

“The great part about the electricity is, it’s a free enrollment,” Mark Hutson, Co-op President commented. “CL&P will still handle billing and service, the consumer just pays a lower price per kilowatt. And people can enroll whether they join the Co-op or not. Go to www.oilco-op.com and sign up today!”

Established in 1981 through the Connecticut Citizens’ Action Group, the Oil Co-op was founded initially to help consumers battle the high price of home heating oil. Incorporated in 1992, Citizens Oil Co-op Inc. has been saving thousands of consumers hundreds of dollars each year. Citizen’s Oil Co-op works with participating oil companies throughout Connecticut to provide members with a full service arrangement, saving consumers 20-25 cents per gallon compared to the state average.

To get in touch with Citizen’s Oil Co-op, Inc. visit www.oilco-op.com or call 860-561-6011 for further information.

Event: The Long Emergency And What It Means For Your Community

Jan 30

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Energy, Events | No Comments

By Earth Charter Community of the Lower Valley

Join James Howard Kunstler at a lively event on Saturday, March 6, from 4-8 p.m. at the Gelston House at 8 Main St. in East Haddam. Mr. Kunstler, author of The Long Emergency – Surviving the Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century, will discuss the expected global oil, environmental and other crises, and challenge us to confront and solve them.

The Long Emergency tells us what to expect after we pass the tipping point of global peak oil production and the end of the honeymoon of affordable energy, preparing us for economic, political, and social changes of an unimaginable scale. The book asks the important question: “What will happen when our current plagues of global warming, epidemic disease, and overpopulation collide to exacerbate the end of the oil age?”

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Fight The Hike Update

Dec 29

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Energy | No Comments

By Paula Panzarella

Connecticut still has the highest electrical rates in the continental US, and our legislature can, and must, undo the damage caused by de-regulation of the electric industry.  We will again try to get various energy bills passed in the coming legislative session.

Sen. Fonfara of the energy and technology committee prevented our bills from being discussed in the Senate.  We will be leafleting his district (Hartford) on Saturday, Jan. 9.  His constituents need to know that he is responsible for blocking resolutions which would have lowered electricity rates,  improved transparency and accountability, bolstered the electricity supply and promoted renewable energy throughout the state.

Sen. Don Williams, Senate president pro tempore, and Sen. Martin Looney, Senate majority leader, both could have urged Sen. Fonfara to allow the bills to be debated on the Senate floor.  Fight the Hike will shortly contact Sen. Williams and Looney as well.

If you would like to join Fight the Hike members in our Jan. 9 leafletting in Hartford, call 203-562-2798, or e-mail paulapanzarella@yahoo.com.

Our next meeting is Thursday, January 21, 6 p.m. at New Haven City Hall, 2nd floor, 165 Church Street.

Bioregional/Transition Times News

Nov 27

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Energy, Human Rights, Workers | No Comments

– by Maria Tupper, New Haven Bioregional Group

The Transition Road Show is coming to SCSU, Monday, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m. at the SCSU Adanti Student Center, Room 306, corner of Crescent and Fitch Streets. There will be entertainment, reflection, inspiration and dynamic participation all in one show! We’ll cover the problems (peak oil, climate change, economic meltdown) and look to the solutions (using our collective genius to create a sustainable community on a human scale). The Transition Movement is about connecting the dots and getting us from here to there (http://transitionus.org/).

The Bioregional Holiday Craft Fair will be held Saturday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the First UU Society, 608 Whitney Avenue. Come to our annual Holiday Craft Fair. We have a variety of artisans who will be selling their local crafts. Support our local crafts people and socialize while you browse.

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Save $ On Your Home Heating Oil, Electricity, Propane, and Bioheat

Nov 20

Posted by Progressive Action Roundtable in Energy | No Comments

– Rosie Stanko, Citizen’s Oil Co-op, Inc.

Save on your home heating oil!  By combining the purchasing power of thousands of heating oil customers, Citizen’s Oil Co-op has negotiated competitively lower prices for full-service oil. The oil companies participating with the Citizen’s Oil Co-op charge active members based on long term contracts. Since 1981, Co-op members have enjoyed a savings of 25 cents or more per gallon compared to the OPM state average for full-service heating oil. That could add up to as much as $300 per heating season!  Every oil company working with the Co-op offers reliable, 24 hour emergency service.

We have made signing up easy to do! Simply call or visit our website www.oilco-op.com!  There is a $10 application fee to become a member of the Co-op. Membership dues are $25 annually, $15 for seniors (over 55).  These dues are paid at the time a member joins and are applied to the current calendar year. Renewals and promotions are mailed out in June for the next heating season.

Electricity Savings

In Connecticut, electric generation service is now open to competition and we’ve done the research to find a company that will provide you with a low price. We have partnered with Public Power and Utility so that you can save 5% to 20% each month on you electric bill. Regardless of the generation supplier you choose, CL&P or UI will deliver your electricity, bill you for service and respond to power outages.

Concerned About Green Energy?  Public Power & Utility, Inc. has a green option for your electricity. It takes at least 2 billing cycles to get switched over, so sign up today!

Bioheat

Citizen’s Oil Co-op has signed on with Hale Hill Farm Biofuels to provide you with bioheat as a way of reducing your carbon footprint. It is a 20%-80% mix of vegetable oil from USA grown soybeans, produced right here in Connecticut. Contact us to see if it’s available in your area.

Citizen’s Oil Co-op, P.O. Box 271718, West Hartford, CT 06127    (860) 561-6011    www.oilco-op.com