Solar & Green Home Expo — May 11 @ Bethesda Green

by Jennifer Roe

Are you interested in greening your home?  Do you want to save money and create a healthier environment for your family?  If so, plan now to attend Bethesda Green’s 4th annual Solar & Green Home Expo, Saturday, May 11, 10 am – 3 pm.

The event will be held at the Bethesda Green offices, 4825 Cordell Avenue, 2nd floor above the Capital One Bank. All are invited to attend this FREE community event, explore and participate in workshops, and discuss practical ways to green your home.

Representatives from the Montgomery Department of Environmental Protection Energy and Pepco will answer questions about costs, benefits, tax credits, and other incentives.  Learn about the advantages of going solar in your home!

Local green businesses will showcase products and services that can help homeowners go green.  Participating companies and organizations include: Solar Energy World, Standard Solar, ecobeco, Growing SOUL, Savenia Labs, A.I.R. Lawn Care, Bethesda Systems, Energy Squad.  Click here to see a complete list.

Workshop topics will include:

• Composting 101: In Your Home or Backyard
• Deep Green Homes, Living in Harmony with Nature and not the Utility Company
• Community Solar Power Purchasing: Solar Power for the other 80%
• County, State and Federal Tax Benefits for Energy Efficiency and Solar Power
• Efficiency Incentives: Pepco Rebate Programs for 2013

Learn more about the Solar & Green Home Expo and see a detailed program schedule here.

 

Happy Birthday, Bethesda Green

Five years ago today, a passionate group of people came together at the Bethesda Theatre to kick-off a new initiative.  On January 23, 2008, Bethesda Green was officially born.

Many of you may recall that we had close to 400 people join us from all different sectors, many who still talk about being part of that special day.  We started as a group open to the community and today still see inclusiveness as one of our core strengths.  The seven core principles (from our initial proposal) were:

1. Community engagement
2. Scale up what works
3. Identify opportunities
4. Educate and market
5. Leverage existing networks
6. Sustain the initiative
7. Phased approach

Thanks to all the board members who helped make Bethesda Green possible.

• To Seth Goldman and George Leventhal, whose leadership and guidance gave the organization its birth.
• To Ilaya Hopkins, Jeff Burton and Greg Rooney, whose leadership as board chairs propelled Bethesda Green forward.
• To the Bethesda Green staff, whose commitment to excellence and efforts are gifts to the community.
• And to Mike Mielke, my initial founding partner, whose purposefulness and enthusiasm for sustainability inspired me to build green, livable communities.

Our goals, when we launched were to focus, organize and accelerate the local sustainability movement.  In 2012, we instituted a three-year strategy around themes of incubate, initiate, and educate.  This year, we will begin the process of redefining our strategy post 2013.

We have made a huge difference to this community and the many people who have been part of Bethesda Green.  It may sound cliché, but our work is just beginning.  I hope you stay involved and recognize the impact this organization is having on our community and others following our lead.

Happy Birthday, Bethesda Green

 

Nominate a Green Champion

With a June 29 deadline approaching, now is the time to enter the 3rd Annual Green Awards, presented by Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Green. Nominations are being accepted here for the 2012 Green Awards.

Winners will be profiled in the November/December issue of Bethesda Magazine and recognized at the Bethesda Green Gala on October 11, 2012. The Green Awards recognize businesses, non-profits, communities and individuals that are leading the local fight to protect the environment.

Click here to read about last year’s winners.

 

Get Latest Info on Solar and Green Home Services

Expo Offers Visitors Latest Info on Solar and Green Home Services

Bethesda Green’s 3^rd Annual Solar & Green Home Expo, Saturday, June 9, 10 am – 4 pm, offers visitors an information-packed showcase event featuring many green home expert services and solar providers. The spotlight on solar will include purchasing and investment opportunities, and incentives for home installation. Local area green home businesses will display their services while individual workshops related to greening your home will be conducted throughout the day.

The goal of this event at Bethesda Green –  4825 Cordell Avenue, second floor above the Capital One Bank — is to provide homeowners and other interested parties an opportunity to get the latest information about area services and incentives to green their homes.  This is a free event for the community.

Companies and organizations participating in the Solar & Green Home Expo include: Solar Energy World, Standard Solar, Solar City, ecobeco, Green Savings Coop, Amicus Green Building Center, Clean Currents, Karmalades, Live Green, The Compost Crew, Savenia Labs, Complete Home Solutions, A.I.R. Lawn Care, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, STIHL, Kenergy Solar, Astrum Solar, The Cleaning Corps, Bethesda Systems and Garden Gate Landscaping.

Check our website for more info.

 

Promoting Maryland Gone Green

The Gazette of Politics and Business, in cooperation with Bethesda Green, is providing a unique opportunity to highlight Maryland businesses that have “gone green” through a special publication distributed with its May 4th edition.

We are partnering with the Gazette and other business sponsors as part of our mission to:

• Educate the community about sustainability, raise awareness and inspire action.
• Incubate new start-up green businesses, fostering the next generation of green business models and solutions.
• Initiate green projects, leveraging community expertise and assets to improve sustainability in the community.

We believe this special publication will undoubtedly be a valuable marketing tool with measurable results for all of the participants. Each company featured will have the opportunity to tell their “green” story to nearly 20,000 businesses.

By targeting 92% owners/partners, CEO’s and presidents of Maryland businesses, your stories will undoubtedly influence many others on the advantages of sustainability. In addition, copies will be distributed by Bethesda Green and other  environmental organizations in the area throughout the year.

This is how it works — along with your promotional advertisement, The Gazette of Politics & Business will match you with equal editorial space to tell your company’s story. Each story page will be designed by The Gazette with photos, editorial, logo, and pertinent contact information at a special discounted rate. If needed, The Gazette will provide you with a writer to assist you at no charge or you are welcome to write your own editorial portion.

Each company who participates in this promotional opportunity will also be invited to attend a special “Meet and Greet Breakfast” at Bethesda Green, Wednesday, May 2 to get “hot-off-the-press” copies and to meet one another.

A companion electronic “flip book” of the publication will also appear on online throughout the year.

Contact Terry Tillman for more details at 301-670-2084 or ttillman@gazette.net. Space deadline is April 11, 2012.

 

Environmental Film Festival Kicks Off

This year, the Environmental Film Festival celebrates its 20th Anniversary in the Nation’s Capital. The festival runs March 13-25, 2012, and features 180 documentary, narrative, animated, archival, experimental and children’s films. Most screenings include discussion and are free.

Bethesda Green is participating in the discussion after the Thursday, March 15, 7 pm showing of Cape Spin: An American Power Struggle at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle St. NW, Washington, DC, near the Tenleytown/AU Metro station. Cape Spin examines the unusual political alliances lined up for and against a major wind farm proposed for the middle of Nantucket Sound.

CAPE SPIN: AN AMERICAN POWER STRUGGLE

 

Green News & Events, 9/12/2011

by Dan Rudt

MoCo Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program Accepting Applications

Interested in upgrading your home to improve comfort, reduce energy costs and even boost long-term home value? Montgomery County, using a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, is offering a one-time program to help you pay for the costs of these improvements. The Montgomery County Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program offers incentives to homeowners for energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, heating and cooling systems, and appliances. Owners of single family properties and condominiums can apply for up to $3,000 of funding per applicant. The minimum rebate size is $500 (typically a $2,000 to $3,000 project). In order to be eligible, each applicant must have an energy audit from an auditor participating in the Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR or a utility (e.g., Pepco, BG&E, Potomac Edison) audit program. Homeowners are encouraged to use these funds in concert with other incentives available from utilities, the Maryland Energy Administration and others. Detailed information on the program, audit requirements, application, as well as links to other sources of funding is located on the website www.mcenergyfunding.com.

U.S. Homes Using Less Power

The Associated Press reported on September 7 that American households are consuming energy at a slower rate now than in the recent past, and the rate is expected to continue falling. The AP attributes the slowdown in consumption to several factors. Among them is the widespread use of energy efficient light bulbs, government programs (e.g., the Montgomery County energy efficiency rebate program in the article directly above), energy efficient new homes and energy conservation brought on by the poor economy. Energy experts, according to the AP article, expect household energy use to continue falling for years to come.

State Board of Education to Hear Appeals to Save Nick’s Organic Farm

The Maryland Board of Education decided on August 30 that 32 Potomac residents who filed complaints against the Montgomery County Board of Education have a right to be heard. The local board, which owns the land that Nick Maravell has farmed organically since 1980, agreed earlier this year to lease the Brickyard Road property to the County, which said it will work with a private recreation provider to turn the organic farm into soccer fields. The state board may take up the matter at their next meeting on October 25.

Maryland Clean Energy Summit Moves to Baltimore

Sorry about that, Bethesda. The 2011 Summit, originally scheduled for the Marriott North Bethesda Conference Center in late August, has been moved to the Hilton Inner Harbor in Baltimore. The new dates are Thursday, October 27 through Saturday, October 29. The program includes a free consumer trade show on Saturday 8/29 from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm. The Summit was postponed and moved because the Bethesda North Conference Center sustained damage caused by the August 23 earthquake.

Upcoming Green Events

Sustainability: Definitions and Implementation, Montgomery County Civic Federation meeting, Monday, September 12, 7:45 pm. County Council Building – 1st Floor Auditorium, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville. Speakers: Jennifer Bitting, Environmental Engineer, Dept. of Homeland Security; Doug Weisburger, Sustainability Programs, Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection, Eric Coffman, Senior Energy Planner, Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection, Councilmember Roger Berliner, Chair, County Council Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment. More information.

Trans-Atlantic Symposium on Cleantech Innovation and Federal Contracting, Thursday, September 15, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Johns Hopkins U., Montgomery County Campus. Networking and information event for renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transportation firms in the U.S. and Switzerland. The day includes a live video conference with PlanetSolar, the world’s largest boat powered exclusively by high-efficiency solar cells, which is on its first round-the-world voyage.

Bethesda Green Education, Outreach and Marketing (EOM) Group Meeting – Newcomers Welcome! Thursday, September 15, 4:00 – 5:30 pm. This team of volunteers meets once every month to discuss Bethesda Green’s marketing and communications needs.

Savor Local Flavor: Four Course Dinner and Discussion with Chef Tony, Monday, September 19, 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Chef Tony’s, 4926 St. Elmo Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814.  This is the third in the series On the Farm; Around the Table, connecting farmers, food and community in three meals. More information here.

Sustainable Office Seminar, Tuesday, September 20, 8:00-11:00 am, at Bethesda Green. Five sustainable office specialists offer concepts and practical tips to help people thrive in their office and make their company a “Best Place to Work.” Register here. For more information contact: sustainable.office.alliance@gmail.com.

U.S. Dep’t. of Energy Solar Decathlon,  Friday, September 23 – Sunday, October 2, West Potomac Park, National Mall, Washington, D.C.  Competing collegiate teams (including University of Maryland) exhibit cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive solar-powered houses designed, built and operated by the students.  This free event includes tours of the solar homes, consumer workshops and award ceremonies for the winning teams.

2011 Bethesda Green Gala, Wednesday, October 5, 6:00 – 10:00 pm, Round House Theatre. The gala recognizes Bethesda Magazine’s Green Award winners for their inspiring work in the environmental community. This promises to be an evening of sharing and connecting as a community where we celebrate our greener future. More information.

 

Blooming Flowers and a BG Happy Hour, Thursday, April 7

Don’t forget this evening’s Bethesda Green First Thursday Happy Hour, 5 to 8 p.m. at Lebanese Taverna, 7141 Arlington Road, Bethesda, 20814.

There will be casual conversation and networking. Highlights will include:

Focus on Watershed Issues

• Meeting some of the folks leading the way to protect the local watershed — Cabin John, Little Falls and Rock Creek.
• Learning about a number of volunteer opportunities Saturday April 9 — for example, It’s Time to Take Out the Trash and Clean Creek, Clean Potomac — to help watershed clean-up efforts throughout the area. And on April 17, the Cabin John Creek Cleanup.
• Enjoying complimentary appetizers from Lebanese Taverna, as well as discount beer, wine and mixed drink prices.

RSVP at the Bethesda Green Meetup page!

 

Gazette of Politics and Business Publishes ‘Maryland Gone Green’

Cliff Chiet and Dave Feldman shake hands at the Maryland Gone Green event.

Today’s Gazette of Politics and Business features a special “Maryland Gone Green!” insert section, highlighting 35 companies and organizations that have gone green, provide environmentally friendly services, or educate people about environmental sustainability.

Representatives from most of those businesses showed up early—8 a.m.—at Bethesda Green, March 31, for an appreciation breakfast sponsored by the Gazette and Bethesda Green.

Cliff Chiet, publisher of the Gazette of Politics and Business, thanked everyone for participating in the special publication.

“It’s the first time ever we’ve published something showing off all the green things in the county,” he said. “You already see it,” he told the crowd, “how important this movement is. Montgomery County is really leading the charge, and what’s really exciting is this publication proves it.”

Chiet noted that all the legislators in Annapolis will get a copy, as will the 20,000 businesses that subscribe to the Gazette of Politics and Business.

Bethesda Green’s Executive Director Dave Feldman added, “We applaud that there are economic benefits to being green. You’re all companies that recognize that.”

Firms featured in the publication include large international companies such as Marriott International, Inc., and Lockheed Martin, as well as local outfits such as All Eco Center, and Sustainable Design Group.

The Bethesda Green Business Incubator also received a mention, with a sidebar about Aquabarrel.

Chiet noted he hopes to publish this section every year, and, referring to everyone in the room, said, “We have to be ambassadors.”

The Gazette has also gone green in one way, by using a color printing press that produces high-quality, color copies of the paper sooner in the printing process, thus reducing waste copies that cannot be distributed. Chiet said the press saves them 2,500 tons of paper per year.

If you don’t subscribe to the Gazette of Politics and Business, you can read the “Maryland Gone Green!” section here.

 

Bethesda Green Names New Board Leadership

Bethesda Green announced the appointment of a new slate of Board officers to assume leadership at its next meeting January 7, 2011.  Community leader and current Board Member Ilaya Hopkins will serve as Chair of the Board of Directors.  Other officers elected by the Board at its December 2010 meeting include Vice Chair Jeff Burton, Deputy Executive Director at Bethesda Urban Partnership; Treasurer Joseph Chirico, Senior Vice President with Capital One Bank; and Secretary Rosalie Grazzini.

Bethesda Green Co-Founders and former Board Co-Chairs Seth Goldman (President and TeaEO of Honest Tea) and George Leventhal (Montgomery County Councilmember, At Large) championed the growth of the non-profit collaborative of residents, businesses and government since its inception in 2008 and will continue serving as Board Members.

“An important test for any young enterprise is whether it can continue to grow and evolve once the founders step aside.  I’m confident that Bethesda Green is in good hands,” said Goldman.

High among the Bethesda Green successes touted by Leventhal is its Green Business Incubator as an engine of job creation in the community. “Bethesda Green works with and leverages Montgomery County’s strengths to create a green entrepreneurial cluster that will generate economic, environmental and social value for the County’s businesses and residents,” he said.  “The Board fully supports its ongoing development.”

Other Bethesda Green highlights include:

• Installing dozens of recycling bins in downtown Bethesda.
• Educating thousands of people through seminars and trade shows about renewable energy and simple efficiencies to cut carbon output and save money.
• Organizing E-cycling days in partnership with Montgomery County, collecting tons of TVs, computers and other old electronic equipment.
• Convening an internship fair providing hundreds of young people a gateway to future careers.
• Hosting a Gala to spotlight businesses and individuals as champions of sustainable living.
• Strengthening ties between the urban and rural communities in the local agricultural food chain.

New Board Chair Ilaya Hopkins is working with staff and volunteer leadership to outline plans for the future. “Seth and George established a strong foundation for Bethesda Green in its formative years,” said Hopkins. “We look forward in 2011 to building upon our established success, expanding our community impact, providing quality educational programming and driving the creation of new green jobs.”