Clean Energy Campaign

1
Clean Energy Campaign

• Carissa Williams,
• Clean Energy Coordinator

2
Campaign Background

• October 2004 - June 2004
• Renewables Are Ready Building Demand for Clean
  Energy Choices in Worcester
• Public and Municipal Awareness of clean,
  renewable energy
• What it is
• What the benefits are
• How the public and municipal leaders can support
  it
• Joint campaign of the REC and Clean Water Action
  Boston, working in collaboration with MA
  Interfaith Power Light (MIPL)
• My role project organizer, lead materials
  development and outreach. Clean Energy Coordinator

3
What Is Clean, Renewable Energy?

• ?Natural powered by the sun, wind, and water,
  the heat in the ground, and crop and wood waste
• ?Does not contribute to global warming or air
  pollution
• Constantly replenishing itself in supply and
  strength

4
What are the Benefits?

• ? Does not cause pollution / allows people to
  live healthier lives
• Is renewable we will not run out
• Locally produced, so it can promote energy
  security and local job growth
• No threat of nuclear disaster
• ? Eliminates problem of storing radioactive waste
• Increases national security and lessens the
  dependence on foreign oil

5
How Can You Support It?

• The Public
• Sign up for Clean Energy Choice
• purchase clean, renewable electricity from
  National Grid (formerly Massachusetts Electric) -
  same bill, same service, no obligation
• Municipal Leaders
• Purchase clean, renewable electricity for
  municipal buildings and streetlights

6
Campaign Accomplishments

• Municipal Clean Energy Resolution
• On March 29, 2005, the City of Worcester became
  the first city in MA to set a goal of using
  clean, renewable energy sources to meet at least
  20 of its municipal electricity needs by 2010.
• Held several meetings with the Mayor and City
  Councilors
• Distributed 1,300 postcards to residents to send
  in to their councilors
• 35-40 people attended the city council meeting

7
Campaign Accomplishments

• Media Coverage 2 letters to the editor, 4
  Op-Eds, one National Public Radio story, one day
  of repeated clean energy news blurbs on WTAG
  radio, 5 news stories on WCTR Channel 3 Worcester
  News Tonight, one video played on cable access 8
  times, and 6 newspaper articles mostly in the
  TG
• Two Public Forums reaching over 100 people
• Mailings and a Phone Canvas reaching 2,500
  people
• Coalition Building Gathered 20 interested
  organizations to work together
• Held meetings with leaders of local Colleges and
  Hospitals
• Website development www.recworcester.org/cleanene
  rgy
• Now 250 residents and businesses in Worcester
  are enrolled in Clean Energy Choice