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Posts Tagged ‘Ocean Bank’

Concord Green Drinks to Feature State Energy Efficiency Efforts

Monday, October 12th, 2009

State energy efficiency efforts are the focus of the 5th Concord Green Drinks Gathering to take place on Tuesday, October 20th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the B-Lounge of The Barley House, 132 North Main Street, Concord, NH. 

jamesrobbNew Hampshire Business Resource Center Regional Resource Specialist, James Robb, will be the keynote speaker discussing the State’s efforts to assist local companies to become more energy efficient.  Included in Robb’s discussion will be an overview of the Ocean Bank Energy Efficiency Program, energy audits offered by the State, USDA Rural Development offerings and New Hampshire’s annual Greenerpalooza event.

Due to the compelling nature of Robb’s presentation, it is encouraged that attendees arrive on time, as a large crowd is anticipated to attend this gathering.

The new Concord Green Drinks encourages the community to submit their input, suggestions, and recommendations for future gatherings.  Concord Green Drinks are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at The Barley House from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Each attendee is responsible for his/her bar tab. 

If you are interested in sponsoring a meeting, have an idea for a topic, and want to be added to the mailing list, contact Barbara Morris at: barb.morris@zetlandhomes.com.  Go to www.greendrinks.org to learn more about the international phenomenon and drill down to the Concord web page.

Meadowbrook Colors the Town Green

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Much thanks to Laura Tiner of the Gilford Steamer for her excellent coverage of our Greenerpalooza event last week. Her story follows below.

Meadowbrook Colors the Town Green
by Lauren Tiner
July 22, 2009

Early Jackson Browne fan arrivals were greeted at the entrance of the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion by clusters of local businesses and utility companies setting up stands for the Greenerpalooza II Energy Efficiency event last Thursday.

Together, Meadowbrook and the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, alongside Public Service of New Hampshire, and Ocean Bank, sponsored the evening’s festivities.

While the “green” vendors worked the entrance to the pavilion, the first ever Greenerpalooza award was given out at Meadowbrook’s Center Stage Buffet. The recipient was Richard Ober, chair of the NH Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Board, for his 30-year dedication to energy efficiency and renewable energy causes.

greenerpalooza-ii-019“We are on the road to a new energy economy in New Hampshire, with better jobs, more jobs, less fossil use and dealing with climate change. A clean environment is a healthy economy,” said Ober. “There’s not another state like New Hampshire working together. We develop programs and policies that will help New Hampshire. Private facilities like Meadowbrook show other companies the way, and that is what’s changing the direction right now.”

Although Ober said he finds it a privilege to win the first Greenerpalooza award, he noted that there are still hundreds and thousands of people working toward a green state and green world.

Steve Boucher, legislative director from the Division of Economic Development, presented the first award to Ober and spoke on his ties with Meadowbrook.

“We have a tremendous relationship with Meadowbrook. When they went green, it allowed artists to come in and use biofuel to run generators. Sustainable energy is where it’s at.”

The audience is also educated, said Boucher.

“We reached 5,000 people with last year’s event,” he said, “and we are reaching 3,000 people today.”

Meadowbrook has been known to pick artists who are interested in going green.

Chris Lockwood, marketing director of Meadowbrook, explained that last year, the facility decided to go green, conserve energy, cut waste, and find alternative methods to run concerts on.

“We have a comprehensive recycling program, where we recycle glass, paper, and aluminum,” Lockwood said. “Our biodegradable cups here are made out of corn and take five years to decompose in the earth, versus 70 to 80 years for plastic cups.”

Biodiesel is also available for an artist’s tour bus or machinery on site in order to keep the air clean.

“Artists can use our green option anytime,” Lockwood said. “It’s the artist’s preference. Some artists think it can be noisy and choose not to. Being green himself, Jackson Browne wanted to use it.”

According to Lockwood, Meadowbrook’s Greenerpalooza event also educates the concert goers who receive an e-mail on the matter prior to the concert.

“When artists are going green, we can make a bigger impact on the audience,” he said.

Meadowbrook also teamed with local radio station The River for one of their two concerts run on Solar Power with the Crosby Stills and Nash band.

“It went really well, despite the rain,” said Lockwood.

Green savvy New Hampshire stores and utility businesses on site ranged from earth-friendly department stores to Laconia’s Energy Services and Technology Program.

Solar Store representatives Jack Bingham and James H. Gamble ran a video to explain how their energy efficient, solar hot water systems worked as an alternative to fossil fuels.

“It’s actually very simple,” said Gamble, who also had water saving toilets on display.

greenerpalooza-ii-024Many department store stands, such as Real Green Goods from Concord, Mother and Child from Nashua, and 1 World Trading Co., displayed stainless steal water bottles, the seemingly new craze in environmental mindfulness, alongside other local and organic items from t-shirts to jump ropes.

Representative Jonathan Gregory from Real Green Goods, with over 700 products, explained that steel Klean Kanteen products don’t leech into water, while leeching may be possible with plastic bottles.

“There’s a lot of estrogen in some plastics,” he said. “Stainless steel doesn’t rust either, like aluminum. Glass is best, but that doesn’t work for everyone.”

greenerpalooza-ii-030Real Green Goods constantly updates their information and changes their products upon research, said Gregory who hinted the new Smart-strip product may soon become popular in conserving electricity.

Other stores, such as Sundance Solar Co. from Warner, focus on small energy system products, selling cell phone chargers, 12 watt blenders, lanterns, and more run solely by solar power.

Richard Ober Honored With Greenerpalooza Award

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

The board of directors that Richard Ober leads is pronounced “easy,” but his work on that body is anything but. For his leadership role on the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy (EESE) board as well as other associated efforts to help the Granite State become more energy efficient, Ober was recently named the winner of the inaugural “Greenerpalooza Award.”

Ober was presented with the award last week at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford as part of Greenerpalooza II, a celebration of New Hampshire’s “green” technologies and initiatives. Sponsored by Ocean Bank and Public Service of New Hampshire, in coordination with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, WXRV 92.5 “The River” and Meadowbrook, the evening’s festivities included a special “eco village” on the Meadowbrook midway where New Hampshire businesses and members of the general public learned how to “go greener” amidst the backdrop of a Jackson Browne/Shawn Colvin concert.

greenerpalooza-ii-021Ober was recognized for his 25 years of non-profit leadership, public policy expertise and dedication to sustainable energy. As the NH Charitable Foundation’s Vice President of Civic Leadership and Communications, he works to unite public and private partners to address the state’s most significant challenges including energy policy, affordable housing, transportation, state park management, substance abuse, and deliberative democracy.

Before coming to the Charitable Foundation in January 2008, he was Executive Director of the Monadnock Conservancy (2001–2007) and a senior staff member of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (1985–2001). He has served as a member or chair of more than a dozen non-profit and public boards including the EESE where he diligently strives to promote and coordinate energy efficiency, demand response and sustainable energy programs in the state.

“Richard Ober’s impact on bringing energy efficiency to the forefront of public policy is nothing short of incredible,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “I can think of no more fitting recipient of this inaugural award that celebrates those dedicated to ensuring New Hampshire’s sustainable energy future.”

For more on energy efficiency programs and resources for New Hampshire businesses, call the New Hampshire Business Resource Center at 603-271-2341 or visit www.NHEconomy.com.

-Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director

Great Greenerpalooza Deal for “No Bull” Fans

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Talk about a “No Bull” offer! Readers of the “No Bull Business Blog” have been offered a special $3 off per ticket deal to attend Thursday evening’s (July 16th) Greenerpalooza II concert featuring Jackson Browne with special guest Shawn Colvin at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford.

recycleOcean Bank and Public Service of New Hampshire, in coordination with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion, will present Greenerpalooza II, a celebration of New Hampshire’s energy efficiency efforts. Set against the backdrop of the much-anticipated Jackson Browne concert, the evening’s festivities will include a special “eco village” on the Meadowbrook midway where New Hampshire businesses and members of the general public will be able to learn how to “go greener.”

Vendors for this year’s event include Public Service of New Hampshire, Ocean Bank, Lakes Region Community College, Building Energy Technologies, GDS Associates, Hopeworth Design/Wujcik Brothers, Lakes Region HVAC, NH Electric Co-op, Pinkham Building & Solar, Ultra Geothermal, Zetland Homes, 1 World Trading Co., BioHeat USA, ConVerdant Vehicles, Helios Solar Sales, Holloway Mercedes Benz, Homebuilders & Remodelers Association, Intelligent Heat & Power, Real Green Goods, Seacoast Energy Alternatives and Sundance Solar.

To access the $3 off code, simply visit www.meadowbrook.net, select your seats and then apply the following discount code: DREDJB3.

As a special benefit to “No Bull” readers, our good friends over at Meadowbrook have just informed me that they will allow this code to be used for any show from now through the end of the season except for the 9/5 Tim McGraw concert. Thanks Meadowbrook!!!

Energy Efficiency Efforts to be Celebrated at Greenerpalooza II

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

With environmental awareness becoming more and more of a business and social priority, fears are lessening about the planet “running on empty.” However, Jackson Browne and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion still want to do their part to keep eco-friendliness on the top of everyone’s mind.

greenerpalooza-2009-photo-shoot-001On July 16th, Ocean Bank and Public Service of New Hampshire, in coordination with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, will present Greenerpalooza II, a celebration of New Hampshire’s energy efficiency efforts at Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion. Set against the backdrop of the much-anticipated Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin concert, the evening’s festivities will include a special “eco village” on the Meadowbrook midway where New Hampshire businesses and members of the general public will be able to learn how to “go greener.”

“Energy efficiency is an absolutely critical subject for businesses and residents alike,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “When you take a closer look at your energy usage, not only are you helping to protect the environment, you’re improving your bottom line. Energy efficiency equals cost savings.”

Greenerpalooza II is designed to showcase New Hampshire products, services and programs that can help individuals and businesses save energy and dollars.

According to Janet Brewer, Vice President and Director of Community Development at Ocean Bank, “Greenerpalooza is a great way for us to celebrate our Energy Efficiency Program and the terrific partnership we enjoy with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, while pushing the green initiative further. As part of the eco-village at Meadowbrook, we’ll be on hand so attendees can find out more about this program, as well as about the many different alternatives there are in New Hampshire to help reduce energy consumption.”

Pat McDermott, Economic and Community Development Manager for PSNH, added that the utility is pleased to support the event.

“From an energy-efficiency, environmental and sustainability point of view, the timing couldn’t be better for this event; and Meadowbrook is a great example of how a New Hampshire business is doing the right thing for the environment,” he said.

NY4014Meadowbrook was the natural choice for the venue given President R.J. Harding’s concern about the environment. Under his leadership, Meadowbrook has changed the way it does business so it will have the least possible negative impact on the environment.

“We still have a lot of green improvements we want to make as a venue, but for us, the opportunity to create awareness and educate our customers is one of the biggest impacts we can have,” said Meadowbrook Marketing Director Chris Lockwood who was part of the team overseeing last year’s Phase I improvements. “That awareness has led to the introduction of some great partners like WXRV “The River,” one of only two solar powered radio stations in the country. It has also gained the attention of artists who are concerned about the environment and welcome Meadowbrook’s green efforts.”

This year Jackson Browne’s tour has asked to run the sound off Meadowbrook’s biodiesel generator. The tour also has converted their lighting system to LED lights which are much better for the environment.

Tickets to the Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin concert, which include entry into the eco-village, are available online at www.meadowbrook.net. For more on energy efficiency programs and resources for New Hampshire businesses, call the New Hampshire Business Resource Center at 603-271-2341 or visit www.nheconomy.com

– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director