The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a breakfast forum on Thursday, December 4, to get the inside scoop on the economic benefits promised by Hyannis Country Garden's new wind turbine and by other green business initiatives. The forum, from 7:30 to 9:30 am at Country Garden, 380 West Main Street, Hyannis, includes a continental breakfast; cost to attend is $15 and seating is limited. Click here to register.

The forum will begin with an introductory presentation by Megan Amsler of Cape & Islands Self-Reliance and Chris Powicki of WEEinfo Services. They will review the CIGoGreen Action Plan for Businesses; policy developments, efficiency and renewable energy incentives, and workforce training programs relevant to local businesses; and benefits realized by companies that have invested in efficiency and renewables.

Featured speaker and host Diana Duffley of Country Garden will then talk about the research, outreach, permitting, and development process leading up to installation of a 100-kW Northwind turbine like that pictured above, as well as the project's anticipated economic and environmental rewards. The turbine is expected to generate more than 90% of the company's electricity and to yield a rapid return on investment. (Photo courtesy Northwind)

The forum will conclude with Q&A with speakers as well as representatives from local efficiency and renewable energy providers.

Community-Based Weatherization Initiative Under Way

The initiative is intended to help promote the fuel assistance, efficiency, and weatherization programs run by South Shore Community Action Council, Cape Light Compact, National Grid, Housing Assistance Corporation, and charitable organizations, as well as to fill gaps in the existing energy relief network. For example, triage weatherization services can stretch fuel assistance funds for low-income consumers and help others squeezed by high prices and buffeted by a shaky economy. They also can assist residents who are waiting for energy audits or are not inclined to take advantage of utility-administered programs.

Cape & Islands Self-Reliance, Building Diagnostics, and WEEinfo Services are collaborating with others to get the initiative off the ground in early December. Stay tuned for more details; contact Chris Powicki at 508.362.9599 or chrisp@weeinfo.com if you would like more information or are interested in volunteer opportunities.

On 12/6/08 from 9 am to 1 pm, a workshop will be held at Waquoit Bay Reserve (149 Waquoit Highway/Rt 28) to train volunteer "work crew leaders" in basic safety inspection, winterization, and weatherization tasks. The workshop will be conducted by building performance expert Bruce Torrey of Building Diagnostics. He will lead attendees in a hands-on effort to inspect and weatherize a couple old buildings at the Reserve. In the Community Energy Corps, work crew leaders are individuals with carpentry skills and personal interest in helping others meet energy needs. During in-home visits, they will prioritize safety and weatherization tasks and supervise the work done by other volunteers to help clients be safe, stay warm, and save energy.

On 12/10 at 7 pm, the Green Sanctuary Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth will host an open forum on the community-based weatherization initiative. The forum, the first in a series planned throughout the region, will be held at the UUFF Meetinghouse, 840 Sandwich Road in East Falmouth. The public is invited to learn practical things everyone can do to stay warm and safe this winter, and to also consider becoming a volunteer "work crew member" trained to help neighbors stay warm and save energy. In the Community Energy Corps, work crew members are individuals with personal interest in helping others meet energy needs. During in-home visits, they will perform outreach, safety, winterization, and weatherization tasks under the direction of their crew leader.