“Metro-west” Multi- town Energy Event Status & Plans for Groton 12-Jul-07 Leo Laverdure, Groton Local Groton Local.org Sustainable community solutions to global issues

Programs implemented in Groton  Groton Local Energy group  Energy info night with Groton Electric Light dept.  Groton Local Green Building group  Tour of Doyle Center  Green Building info night  Building project advocacy  Groton Local Food & Agriculture group  Groton Local other  Town of Groton Sustainability Committee

Plans for the year ahead  Low Carbon Diet (MCAN)  Seniors programs  CFLs  Energy efficiency assistance  Green building advocacy  Solar hot-water project(s)  Greenhouse project(s)  Sustainability Committee report

Challenges or “Lessons Learned”  Lots of interest  Much confusion – “tell me where to start”  Major lifestyle changes needed  Difficult to move beyond hyper-individualism, consumerism, & assumption that “growth” is the answer  Non-monetary rewards (“happiness,” “genuine progress”) real but counter cultural

Successes (perhaps translating into Best Practices)  Focus on community sustainability  Relocalization  The Natural Step for Communities  Multiple scopes  Families, groups, towns, regions, …, earth  Multiple aspects  Energy, environment, economy  Buildings/residences, food, transportation  Families, businesses, institutions (town, non-profits)  Education & action

Ideas for collaboration or cross-town events  Shared online resources  Assessment methods  Solutions, success stories  Vendors, expertise directory, mailing lists, …  Action plans, status, & events  Regional events  Fall 07 Energy fair  Regional energy initiatives?  Energy co-op  Energy investment fund?