Renewable Energy Leadership Summit

Strengthening Berkshire Business and Community

June 2005: More than 80 Berkshire business and community leaders representing more than 50 businesses convened at the Renewable Energy Leadership Summit at Cranwell Resort in Lenox. The summit brought energy experts to the Berkshires, where they provided practical approaches that address the challenges of rising energy costs as well as the health and environmental impacts of our dependence on fossil fuels.

Participants learned about options for purchasing electricity in a changing marketplace, and how renewable energy contracts can provide a hedge against volatile energy costs. They heard directly from businesses and institutions that have achieved short- and long-term economic benefits through investment in efficiency and renewable energy (wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass). The latest in technologies, funding sources, and tax incentives for renewable projects were explained. Below are some of the presentations that were given.

Overview of the Electricity Marketplace
Paul Gromer, Solar Energy Business Association of New England

Green Power Purchasing: Hedging Strategies for Stable Electricity Prices
Russ Sylva, HEFA and Bruce McLeish, Constellation New Energy

Business and community studies

Williams College
Irene Addison

Town of Orleans, MA
Kevin Galligan

What’s happening in the Berkshires?

Energy Efficiency
Andrew Bloom, ESCO Energy Services Company

Solar Energy
Chris Derby Kilfoyle, Berkshire Photovoltaic Services

Massachusetts resources

WMECO
Robert Dvorchik

NGrid
Joseph Mannarino