Join us for the Fifth Acorn Renewable Energy Co-op Annual meeting to be held between 5 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 in the lower social room at Two Brothers Tavern, 86 Main Street in Middlebury. We'll begin the meeting with a presentation on The NeighborWorks H.E.A.T. Squad and how it relates to the Vermont Home Energy Challenge by Mary Lamson, Communications Director of NeighborWorks of Western Vermont. That will be followed by a presentation on Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems by Jim Crawford from Green Earth Energy of Brandon, Vt.

 
Following the presentations, the Co-op will hold its annual business meeting, which will feature a report on the Co-op's activities to date, including a financial report by our treasurer, Rich Carpenter, and election of the board by members.
 
But most of all, the annual meeting will provide an opportunity for you, advisory board members, and Co-op board members to get to know each other better and to share suggestions and ideas about the Co-op as we move into our fifth year of operation. Free hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be provided. 

We'll also be offering a $100 gift certificate for a Home Energy Check Up from the Neighborworks Heat Squad as a door prize!

Feel free to bring a friend or other prospective co-op member along with you. If they sign up at the meeting, you may win the membership recruitment contest (see article below). We hope to see all of you at the meeting.

Recently, Efficiency Vermont, in partnership with Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN), launched the 2013 Vermont Home Energy Challenge, a year-long effort to increase the number of homes completing comprehensive energy efficiency improvements. Towns who have signed up for the challenge will attempt to weatherize at least 3% of their households by the end of the year. This is one of the ways by which Efficiency Vermont plans to reach its goal of achieving 25% energy savings in 80,000 homes by 2020.

Towns are employing neighbor-to-neighbor approaches through their energy committees to help people understand the sometimes daunting process of weatherization. Many committees have been trained to make home visits to identify whether a home is a good candidate for energy improvements and are going door-to-door to let people know what their options are. 

NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, an organization based in Rutland, offers some terrific services as well, including assistance finding reputable contractors, project management, financing, and for a limited time, $100 energy audits (usually $350 or more). NeighborWorks recently extended its services into Addison County, so now is a great time to take that first step towards your own energy savings and to be part of the Challenge!

Acorn Energy Co-op supports the Home Energy Challenge, since weatherization is the easiest and most cost-effective way to use less energy. And, it is an essential first step before considering adding renewable energy systems to your home so that the systems are sized properly for your reduced energy usage. 

If you have any questions about the Home Energy Challenge, or would like to know if your town is participating, contact Paul Markowitz, Community Energy Program Manager, at pmarkowitz@veic.org or (802)540-7608, or visit the Efficiency Vermont website here.

The mood was festive and the food was delicious at the Acorn Energy Co-op's member potluck, held at the home of AEC President Peter Carothers on February 20. 

Members, friends, and board members gathered around the cozy living room wood stove, and discussed questions about, and experiences with, renewable energy. Over dinner, the group came together, gave brief introductions, and raised questions about energy audits, pellet stoves, residential and community solar PV, and other issues surrounding renewable energy. It was a great opportunity for members to meet the board and other members, and to take advantage of their wealth of expertise. 

Those in attendance felt it was a worthwhile event, and many who couldn't come expressed interest in another event like it in the future. Acorn Energy Co-op intends to host more events like this where members can share information and get their specific questions answered. Many thanks to all who came, for their interesting questions-and for the delicious food!

Membership Recruiting Contest!

We want more members. And we need your help! Once again we are holding a membership recruitment contest. The rules are simple. You must already be a member. The member who brings in the largest number of new members wins! We will announce the winner of a $25 gift certificate for Two Brothers at our annual meeting, to be held on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at Two Brothers Tavern in Middlebury.

So, if you've been wondering how you can help your Energy Co-op, this is one of the best ways: encourage your friends and neighbors to join today. The many benefits of membership are growing all the time, so talk up the co-op-and let's have some fun!

As the Energy Co-op Annual Meeting approaches on March 21, we are seeking candidates (especially female candidates) to become members of the Co-op Board. 

The Board meets once a month and sets policy and provides leadership for many working groups which carry out the various activities of the Co-op. We are particularly interested in individuals 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 a strong candidate for our consideration, please contact Peter Carothers, President, at pcarothers@wildblue.net.

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MESys Autopellet Wood Pellet Boiler

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