[Hidden-tech] Thanks to those who boosted our energy meeting

[A - Z International]

Hi all,

For the many who couldn't make last night's extremely helpful, informative 
meeting on energy efficiency and conservation, I wanted to pass along 
thanks to those who made it happen. There were about 30 folks there thanks, 
in part, to great press coverage from the Greenfield Recorder. Thanks to 
Maggie Haigis and Claudia Gere for pulling that out. I understand there's a 
story on page 9 of today's Recorder about the session, which I have yet to see.

And thanks to Nancy Bair, workforce development director at Greenfield 
Community College, for providing space and food. This is the third 
collaboration between Hidden-Tech and GCC thanks to Nancy's tremendous hard 
work and dedication. We owe her a lot! Ann Hamilton, president of the 
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, also deserves thanks for PR and 
ongoing support.

What came out of bringing experts on electricity conservation/efficiency 
(together with representatives of solar energy and alternative fuels was 
the ability to see an array of things all of us can do to save energy and 
consequently lower our costs. Everyone agreed that no matter what approach 
you take, start with energy conservation and purchasing energy-efficient 
appliances.Just replacing light bulbs, for example, can save about 30 
percent of your electric bill and putting in a front loading washing 
machine saves on water and electricity.

The solar equation is a bit trickier for those who don't have the 
investment capital or want to get out a loan, but for those in new 
construction folks at WMECO told me today it makes tremendous sense. Just 
learning about passive solar and how to retrofit your home and office to 
take advantage of sunshine can cut costs. And we all learned loads about 
alternative fuels, particularly biodiesel, which will may soon be available 
through COop Power in Greenfield and Northeast Biodiesel, also in 
Greenfield. It made me want to go out and buy a flex-fuel car immediately.

If you want to reach any of the presenters, see the details on the website 
at www.hidden-tech.net. We always post our meeting information. Or you can 
find me directly and I'll connect you.

best,

Amy Zuckerman
Hidden-Tech founder, co-chair