A message from the Executive Director
Innovation Drives Clean, Lean and Green Growth in the Northeast
The year 2008 began with the energy efficiency community poised to meet an explosion in the demand for clean, lean and green policies and initiatives. Examples abound of efforts to address this ramp up, through regional projects and state-based policy and program developments described in this issue of NEEP Notes. Notably, this expansion of clean energy and energy efficiency in the Northeast is led and supported by the thoughtful commitment and leadership of policy makers, business leaders and efficiency program administrators.
NEEP’s 2008 Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit will bring together this audience to examine how energy efficiency is a key element of the evolving Clean Energy economy in the Northeast (see related article). With innovation as a key theme, the 2008 Summit will highlight applications of energy efficiency as a policy and practice of businesses, policymakers and program administrators leading the push for clean, lean and green growth
Innovative policy and applications
The conference portion of the 2008 Summit features prominent speakers and panelists from across the Northeast who will address both innovative policy measures and practical applications of energy efficiency for clean, lean and green growth. Through the conference we will learn about the ways states are using efficiency to meet energy, economic and environmental goals, while promoting stability and growth. We will also hear from business leaders, community leaders and gas and electric utility executives who are finding and delivering innovative energy efficiency solutions that save their customers and constituents money, enhance productivity and improve comfort.
You will hear from municipal leaders from Stamford, Connecticut and Cambridge, Massachusetts about how they are making clean, lean and green energy a way of life in their communities. You will also hear the latest in clean energy policy from Paul DeCotis, New York Deputy Secretary of Energy, Ann Berwick, Massachusetts Undersecretary of Energy, Mary Healy, Connecticut’s Consumer Counsel and Jon Wellinghoff, Commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – all of whom are leading the charge to effectively weave energy efficiency and demand-side resources into a fabric of a sustainable energy policy for the Northeast. Charles Shivery, Chairman, President and CEO of Northeast Utilities, Tom King Executive Director of Electricity Distribution & Generation at National Grid USA, and Kevin Law, CEO of Long Island Power Authority will describe how they are preparing to meet their customers’ growing demand for high efficiency and clean energy solutions while applying the same principles to their own operations.
Innovative business practices
A true highlight of NEEP’s Summit is the celebration of innovative business practices and management techniques that capture real bottom line savings from the implementation of energy efficiency measures. With a keynote address by Gary Hirshberg, CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farms, the 2008 Northeast Business Leaders for Energy Efficiency recognition dinner will applaud the efforts of ten companies that demonstrate that energy efficient practices are central to achieving successful, clean, lean and green operations. During the Summit speakers program, we will also learn from Ronald Slember about the energy efficiency and clean energy successes at Pfizer Corporation. We will also get a glimpse of how innovations in solid state lighting are making Color Kinetics a successful and growing Northeast business.
Innovative solutions on display
Innovative technologies, products and services are vital to the implementation of clean and green efficiency efforts. Nearly 40 exhibitors will participate in the 2008 Summit, showcasing a diverse set of efficiency solutions for residential, commercial and governmental customers
Innovative careers
Finally, to meet the demand for clean, lean and green projects across the Northeast, the industry’s infrastructure must grow (see related article). Through the Summit Scholarship Program, undergraduate and graduate students studying a range of topics will participate in the Summit to explore their interest in energy efficiency and will get exposure to the many career paths the industry offers.
The calls for clean and green efforts that drive the efficient use of energy, reduce the impact of energy use on the environment, and stimulate business and economic growth are at a high. Innovative energy efficiency policies, applications, technologies and business practices are the key to meeting this demand. I look forward to seeing you at the 2008 Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit to learn more about and celebrate this building of the Clean Energy economy in Northeast – with energy efficiency as its cornerstone.
Sue Coakley
Executive Director
