YouTube™ and SmartPower Introduce The Clean Energy Ad Challenge

October 24, Hartford – SmartPower, a nationwide, non-profit marketing campaign which promotes clean energy use by both residential and commercial users and based in Hartford, has announced it will team with the latest hit on the internet, YouTube™. The two have launched a clean energy TV commercial contest.

Anyone can enter the contest and the entrants are asked to create a hip and creative 30-second clean energy television advertisement. A panel of judges will review the ads that are entered and the winning entry will be rewarded with a cash prize of $10,000. Besides the cash award, the ads will also be used in SmartPower’s national media campaigns.

“Over the years, we’ve created some amazing television commercials working with some of the best advertising agencies in the nation,” said SmartPower President Brian F. Keane. “Now we want to turn conventional wisdom on its head and see if citizens from around the U.S. can create our next TV ad. So if you think you have what it takes to create the TV ad that convinces Americans that ‘Clean energy is real. It’s here. And it’s working.’ then enter this contest!”

For more information on the contest, click here.
Source: http://www.smartpower.org/

Dynamic Green Plan for Fairfield

October 16, Fairfield – A development project which will create a sustainable transportation hub in this Fairfield County suburb has cleared a major hurdle and construction and the first phase of the $350-million Fairfield Metro Center project will begin in the Spring of 2007.

Blackrock Realty LLC, along with US Rep. Christopher Shays and Fairfield First Selectman Ken Flatto announced on Friday that the Town of Fairfield will be reimbursed by the federal government for land acquisition in relation to a $3.75-million commuter parking lot that is part of the development. Blackrock Realty, a joint venture between Westport-based Wittek Development and Rugby Realty Co. Inc. of Teterboro, NJ, is the developer of the project.

The parking lot, totaling 1,500 spaces, will be used for the project as well as a new Metro North train station to be developed at the 35-acre site.

Flatto says the town has acquired title to a nearly nine-acre parcel that will contain the commuter parking to be built adjacent to the new Metro North railroad station. The commuter lot purchase, originally paid for by the Town of Fairfield, has been entirely reimbursed by the federal government along with an additional $250,000 for preliminary site clean up. The Connecticut Department of Transportation and the federal government are funding the $40-million train station, as well as platforms, a new vehicular bridge over the Metro North tracks, pedestrian bridge overpass and a drop off area.

“This project now is becoming a reality,” Flatto says. “It will be a huge economic benefit to the Town of Fairfield as well as the entire region. I am committed to doing everything possible to move this project toward completion as rapidly as possible.”

“The design of this project will integrate all elements of the buildings’ operating systems to help achieve optimal energy performance,” says Aaron Stauber, managing director, Rugby Realty. “However, using a concept known as climate-responsive architecture, the buildings will effectively interact with the exterior environment as well, making the entire project environmentally sensitive in every way.”

Blackrock Realty has described Fairfield Metro Center as a “green” project. Kurt Wittek, president and CEO of Wittek Development, says the firm hopes to have the entire project qualify for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Level Certification issued by the US Green Building Council.

Source: www.globest.com

Otis Elevator Receives Green Award

October 10, 2006 – Otis Elevator Company, a unit of Hartford based United Technologies Corp., won the 2006 "Korea Green Management Excellence Award" for its energy-efficient Gen2(R) machine-roomless elevator. The Gen2 elevator's patented coated-steel belts and gearless machine do not require lubrication, making the system cleaner for the environment. In addition, its gearless, permanent-magnet machine consumes half the energy of conventional geared machines. The award is presented annually by Korea Management Association Registration & Assessments Inc. (KMAR), a member organization of the South Korean government’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Energy.

Otis President Ari Bousbib stated in a press release today, "We are honored that the Otis Gen2 elevator system has once again received recognition for environmental excellence." Bousbib continues, "This award reflects Otis' commitment to developing cleaner and more efficient solutions for the global market."

The Otis Gen2 elevator has won numerous environmental awards. Earlier this year, the Gen2 elevator was recognized as one of China's "Top 10 Architectural Science and Technology Achievements," the most prestigious award in China's construction industry, and was named one of Spain's "100 best ideas" in the social responsibility category by the country's leading business magazine, Actualidad Economica. In 2005, Otis was the first elevator company to receive the "Green Product Award" from China's Environmental Protection Foundation, a non-government group dedicated to protecting the environment.

Otis, with headquarters in Farmington, Connecticut, employs 60,000 people, offers products and services in more than 200 countries and territories and maintains 1.5 million elevators and escalators worldwide.

Source: Otis Elevator Company

An Inconvenient Truth Free in Connecticut This Month

Oct. 1, 2006 - This summer’s box office hit An Inconvenient Truth, is being shown in Connecticut this month for free. The Interrelgious Eco-Justice Network is hosting the viewings of the movie at congregations across Connecticut. The movie looks at former Vice President Al Gore's commitment to expose the myths and misconceptions that surround global warming and inspire actions to prevent it.

To view a list of showings, click here.