Northeast Sustainable Energy Association

CONTACT:

50 Miles Street, Suite 3
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 774-6051
www.nesea.org

David Barclay, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Related Article: Energy in Massachusetts 2001

NESEA, founded in 1975, is probably the nation's leading regional membership organization focused on educating the public about green energy technologies. With a membership of sustainable-energy professionals and citizen supporters in 9 state-based chapters, they publish an excellent quarterly magazine, Northeast Sun, and sponsor many varied regular and special public-education projects.

NESEA is well aware, therefore, of the latest advances in clean and sustainable energy technology; they sponsor national competitions of cars powered by the sun, and national exhibitions of green-energy-efficient homes. Their magazine reports regularly on new technologies and is supported by green-energy advertisers. Their website offers an array of authoritative resources. So this is an interesting, lively, and productive organization for members.

NESEA proposes now to focus its information services more precisely on key constituencies in the coming years--i.e., 1) local government decision-makers on public building projects (especially schools) and other municipal energy purchases; 2) grassroots environmental groups and organizations; and 3) consumers able to switch to green energy suppliers. NESEA intends to reach these people directly, with trained "ambassadors", and carefully designed and targeted informative materials. This will be a several-year project; some funding has already been raised in foundation grants, but roughly $160,000 more will be needed for the first two years.

(2001: NATURE: Environment: Energy, Toxics, Waste Recyling)