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 Acorn Energy Co-op e-News
Issue No. 20 (Corrected)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Member Owned, Renewable Energy
Products and Services |
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Dear ,
This is a corrected version of the e-News you received earlier today. The table of contents has been corrected and the "Quick Links" now point to our new website. We apologize for the need to re-send this to you.
This is the 20th edition of the Acorn Energy Co-op's e-Newsletter, published periodically to keep you apprised of happenings in the Co-op and informed of upcoming events. We also encourage you to visit our website frequently at www.acornenergycoop.com to access the wealth of information about energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other money-saving strategies available there.
Please pass this e-Newsletter along to friends, neighbors and family who may not be aware of the Co-op and its activities and plans.
Thank you for your ongoing support, The Acorn Energy Co-op Team |
| Energy Series Program tonight at Ilsley -- 'Middlebury College Solar Decathlon' | |
 | | Rendering of Middlebury College Design for Solar Decathlon House |
The Co-op will be presenting a free program on the "Middlebury College Solar Decathlon" as part of its Energy Education Program Series, at 7 p.m. this evening, Wednesday, May 18 at the Ilsley Library Community Room (rear entrance). The program will be presented by Middlebury College students Nate Woods and recent graduate Abe Bendheim. Click here to see a PDF of the flyer.
The Solar Decathlon is a biennial international green building competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, for which colleges and universities from around the world submit design proposals. Middlebury College has been selected as one of the twenty teams to design and build an entirely solar-powered house.
The Middlebury Team has re-imagined the New England farmhouse, and called its design "Self Reliance." Traditional architectural forms are combined with the most advanced energy efficient technology, resulting in an inspiring, innovative design. Local materials make up most of the structure, including a Vermont slate floor.
In addition, a guided tour of the solar powered home is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 1-3 p.m. at Middlebury College.
The Acorn Energy Co-op Education Series is sponsored by The Addison County Regional Planning Commission and the Addison County Green Fund. |
Pellet Pre-buy ends May 31
New Arrangements for local pickup of Pellets | | |
 | | Locally Produced Super Premium Wood Pellets |
We are very pleased to again be offering Super Premium wood pellets manufactured by our partner of the last three years, Vermont Wood Pellet of North Clarendon. Prices are as low as $259 per ton delivered for members purchasing five or more tons. Find all of the details here.
Delivery costs have necessitated our setting a two ton minimum order size. Therefore, we are encouraging those who only have storage space for smaller quantities or who wish to save on the delivery charges to prepay for their pellets for the season to lock in these prices. The pellets can then be picked up at Bourdeau Bushey on Seymour Street in Middlebury on Saturday mornings between 8 and noon.
Customers living closer to Rutland may purchase through the Co-op and then pick up their pellets at the VWP mill on Saturday mornings from 8 to noon. |
| Solar "Group Net Metering Project" Getting Closer! | |  At our annual meeting in March we announced plans for a Group Net Metering project for Co-op members and want you to know that we are making steady progress. The power produced by this solar photovoltaic (PV) project will be shared with Co-op member-subscribers and other local participants under the Vermont group net metering law.
We are currently evaluating economic feasibility, a number of potential sites, entering into discussions with financing sources, and working through other due diligence steps. The project qualifies for federal and Vermont incentives and benefits from Vermont's new energy bill, H. 56.
When all the pieces really start coming together we will want to know which members may be interested in subscribing to a portion of the project's capacity. Whether you signed up at the annual meeting or not, please email your interest to info@acornenergycoop.com so we can stay in touch with you. Stay tuned for more exciting news soon. |
| Energy Co-op Unveils New Website | |  We are excited to announce the official launch of our new, updated and improved Website. We have been fine-tuning it for the past few months, but feel that it is now ready for prime time.
This attractive new site offers a wealth of information about the Co-op as well as local renewable energy strategies and tools for area residents and businesses alike. Be sure to check out the 2011 Energy Co-op Resource Directory (www.acornenergycoop.com/resources/) as well as the regularly updated events calendar and Vermont renewable energy news sections.
In the near future we hope to automate a number of functions, including member sign-up and renewal so they can be better managed online. If you have suggestions for information or other resources that you would like to see on our Website, please let us know at info@acornenergycoop.com.
We want to thank Greg Smela, director of information technology, Pharmacy Health Services in Middlebury (one of our advisory board members) for his generous, on-going assistance in this work. |
| Co-op Board Candidates Sought | | We are still seeking candidates to become members of the Co-op Board. The Board meets once a month and sets policy and provides leadership for the working groups that carry out the various activities of the Co-op.
We are particularly interested in people with strong marketing and social media experience to help us promote the many renewable energy offerings of the Co-op throughout our three-county coverage area. If you are interested in learning more or are able to recommend candidates for our consideration, please contact Greg Pahl, board president, at gpahl@sover.net. |
| Partner Profile -- Junction Auto Center | |  In this time of rising gas prices, having a tuned car can save you up to 4% on gas mileage. One of the Co-op's community partners, Junction Auto Center, can help keep your auto working optimally while also offering members a 10% discount off parts for services and repairs.
Junction Auto Center, located at the junction of Routes 7 and 17W in New Haven, specializes in the sales, repair and maintenance of Subaru's for over 20 years. The staff can also repair domestic vehicles as well. As this auto center likes to say, they offer "big shop service at the little shop price."
Along with Subaru service and sales, the center also offers loaner service, flatbed towing, quality body work, flywheel resurfacing and a High Mileage Club. With every car serviced or sold, their mission is to provide superior service to every customer, every time. For more information on the center's services, go to www.junctionautocentervt.com. |
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pcoming Events | | |
Middlebury College Decathlon Team: Self Reliance Farmhouse in Middlebury. Wed, May 18, 7 - 9 p.m., Ilsley Library Community Room
Our next Energy Education series will highlight the design of a solar farmhouse by the Middlebury College Solar Decathlon Team as part of the international green building competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. As the only liberal arts college invited to compete, students Nate Woods and graduate Abe Bendheim will discuss how they are designing an entirely solar powered home. We follow up with an onsite tour on June 11. Organized by the Acorn Energy Co-op with support from Addison County Regional Planning Commission. For info, call 385-1911.
Vermont's Homegrown Biofuel: An Introduction to Wood Pellets and Wood Pellet Combustion Technologies in Montpelier. Thu , May 19, Vermont Fuel Education Center
This one day seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of wood pellets, the equipment used to convert them into thermal energy, best practices for installing and servicing pellet appliances, and will include a live fire equipment demonstration. This seminar is intended for heating service technicians, HVAC sales personnel, service managers, plumbing & heating contractors and others.
Addison County Energy Forum in Middlebury. Tue, May 31, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Addison County Regional Planning Commission Office, 14 Seminary St.
The Addison County Energy Forum is an opportunity for town energy committees, town energy coordinators, energy planners, and others involved in local energy issues to learn, share information and collaborate. Brian Shupe from VNRC and Scott Sawyer from VSJF will share two useful energy planning tools and there will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and brainstorming. Sponsored by ACRPC and VECAN. Questions? Call 802-388-3141.
Middlebury College Decathlon Team: Tour of Self Reliance Farmhouse in Middlebury. Sat, June 11, 1-3 p.m., Middlebury College
Decathlon team members will give a guided tour of their solar powered home. The Middlebury Team has re-imagined the New England farmhouse, and called its design "Self Reliance." Traditional architectural forms are combined with the most advanced energy efficient technology, resulting in an inspiring, innovative design. For a preview of the Middlebury Solar Decathlon Project, visit http://solardecathlon.middlebury.edu. Funding for the tour has been provided by the Addison County Green Fund and organized by Acorn Energy Co-op. |
| Some Helpful Links to More Renewable Energy Information |
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Visit Renewable Energy Vermont's website for summaries on statewide renewable energy initiatives and incentives and professional training opportunities. REV is comprised of renewable energy companies, institutional and academic partners and concerned citizens of Vermont working to ensure the expansion of renewable energy statewide. Contact REV to locate your local renewable energy professional. REV members are available to speak to schools and civic groups on the many benefits of renewable energy.
EFFICIENCY VERMONT
 Efficiency Vermont provides technical assistance and financial incentives to Vermont households and businesses, to help them reduce their energy costs with energy-efficient equipment and lighting and with energy-efficient approaches to construction and renovation.
For years it focused on improving electrical costs. Last year it expanded and helped Vermont launch Button Up! Vermont to help homeowners improve the thermal envelope of their buildings for improved heating and cooling. You can go to its website and click on "Ask the Home Team" for common sense answers to your building efficiency questions.
In addition, don't miss the current Efficiency Vermont supported deals in your local hardware store on all types of efficient CFL and LED lighting. |
Thank you again for your continued support and enthusiasm. Our member-owned co-op continues to grow thanks to people like you. If you have specific questions about the Co-op, please e-mail us at info@acornenergycoop.com or call us at 802-385-1911.
Sincerely,
Greg Pahl, President
Acorn Energy Co-op | |
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