Washington & Jefferson Students Enlighten Campus

On April 20th and April 27th. 200 CFLs were distributed to the W&J Community, faculty, staff, and students. Along with the bulbs participants also received information on energy saving kits, tips on "living green", and facts on CFLs were also available.

The program was received very well and many members of the W&J Community came looking for their bulbs, as the event was widely advertised on campus. The faculty and staff were thrilled to be the focus of a student organization's project during Earth Week as it is usually students who are the focus of outreach projects. Overall the campus was impressed and the program definitely had a shock value, "A free light bulb!? Aren't these expensive?"

We hope to participate again in the future in the program is offered next year. It was an excited thing to offer a green lifestyle alternative to everyone!

Shown are Green Club members Donnelle Jageman, Brittany Verrico and Caitlin Morrissey.

Earth Week Bulb Distribution

Students from eight campuses across central and western Pennsylvania participated in Earth Week Light Bulb distribution events sponsored by Allegheny Power. The programs took place at Seton Hill, Penn State (main), Washington & Jefferson, Westmoreland County Community College, Butler County Community College, Slippery Rock, and Lock Haven Universities. Some students distributed free CFL (high efficiency) bulbs to Senior Communities in their areas. Others gave away sample bulbs and savings pledge cards at table events during Earth Day celebrations. The program was a great way to show how students can make a difference in their communities. Thank you Allegheny Power and all the students who made this event possible!

LED Lighting Webinar

Hello PowerMinders!

My name is Rachel Long and I am a PSU alum and a current energy consultant for LED Saving Solutions; a division of Green and Save.

This summer LED Saving Solutions is sponsoring a summer internship program in which students invited by PowerMinders can earn some extra cash.

Students will identify businesses in their hometowns that would benefit from switching their lighting to LED.

In most cases the business can save 80% on their current lighting costs. Students are to identify a business with all the lead requirements as noted in this webinar. Once the student has identified that the lead is qualified, he/she will then be linked up with an LSS representative who will then accompany the student to meet with the business owner. Should the business decide to go ahead and replace any lighting bulbs or fixtures, the student will earn commission on each sale.

PowerMinders will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday April 27th, at 7:30 pm. Please contact bob@powerminders.com to sign up for the event.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at RLong@LEDSavingSolutions.com

The Power of Minds in Harrisburg

Hey Powerminders community!

My name's Peter Roquemore and I am the program leader for the Harrisburg Summer of Solutions program. In Bob's last post he kinda introduced one of the project realms we're working on for this summer in Harrisburg. Summer of Solutions programs are youth driven programs focused on developing community based solutions that lead to an awakening of individuals self value, a sustainable future, and developing a real green energy economy through green energy jobs. Those are some pretty lofty ambitions, and they will take some time. You don't just snap your fingers and create green jobs. *Oh how I wish it were that easy!* This will be our first summer in Harrisburg and we're going to be laying the framework for a strong presence in the city for many summers to come. We like to think of our vision kinda like a seed and the end result is this thriving and bountiful oasis. We want to spend this summer planting the seed in as many minds across Harrisburg as possible. Collectively we'll cultivate the "soil" and through our dedication and hard work soon this seed will blossom into something truly incredible, sustainable, and community based. This is why we're really excited about working closely with Powerminders. In my conversations with Bob I sense that we share much of the same vision and I've gotten some really great vibes from our brainstorms. One of our visions for Harrisburg is to be a catalyst for bringing energy efficiency and sustainable development projects to the city. We're going to begin this process through educating the youth on the importance and practicality of energy efficiency along with the distribution of CFLs and weatherization kits with the assistance of Powerminders. We're still in the planning stages and as I mentioned before this is totally a community based effort so if any of you out there in our rapidly expanding community of youth and environmental leaders has input or interest in being involved please feel free to contact me, Peter Roquemore at (peter.roquemore@gmail.com).

Remember,

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

-The Onceler

In Solidarity,

Peter Roquemore

PowerMinders has been very active. 1. PowerMinders in Harrisburg: A group of students in the Harrisburg area (currently representing 5 colleges) want to keep going through the summer months while they are on break. These students want to arrange several energy efficiency efforts and they have the momentum to recruit more students as needed to join their group. Here is what they are planning:
a.) Self Install Weatherization kit or CFL giveaways in lower income neighborhoods (which PowerMinders can, box, fulfill, etc).
b.) Education programs at community centers where young kids attending can bring the message of efficiency home and help their families modify energy usage behavior.
c.) Working with inner city communities to create small agricultural projects for sustainability.
d.) An inner city Art contest.
Any organization that can support any of the programs above should contact me at bob@powerminders.com and I will help you set up the right program with these students and make introductions as required.

2. Students from several colleges and universities have been submitting their plans for a CFL bulb giveaways, and energy efficiency kit giveaways in low income neighborhoods surrounding their respective campuses. This giveaway will occur during EarthWeek. These students are dedicated to providing energy savings for lower income, and increasing their campus' relationships with these neighborhoods. Allegheny Power is sponsoring this event. Thank you Allegheny!

3. PowerMinders management and students have been helping a green technology company design and market a "Smart Plug" that is controlled via the internet that when turned "off" eliminates ambient/vampire power in appliances like televisions for the home, and endless devices in the commercial/business market (copiers, monitors, computers, vending machines, etc). This device has the potential to save consumers and businesses significant kWh and money when appliances are in sleep mode but still using energy. (The DOE identifies this as a $3 billion dollar energy use problem per year in the US) Manufacturing of the "Smart Plug" could occur right here in PA!. Hooray! Students will be equipped with the devices fairly soon, and ready to distribute them. As support for students in PA grows, we thank you all for your help. There is so much more to come.

Earth Week Efficient Lighting Give-Away

College students in Western PA are invited to participate in an Earth Week Efficient Lighting Give Away event, sponosored by Allegheny Power. Allegheny will provide student groups with free Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs to be distributed for free in local neighborhoods. The purpose of the program is help introduce homeowners to efficient lighting.

Student groups-- including marketing, environmental, and social justice organizations-- can request a supply of light bulbs to distribute in their area during earth week. The group is asked to submit a simple plan stating where and how the bulbs will be distributed (i.e., door to door give-away in a particular neighborhood, give-away to friends and family, etc.), and requesting a specific number of bulbs (50, 100 or 200). Interested student leaders should request more information by contacting Bob Fiori (bob@powerminders.com).

Homeowners can also buy additional Energy Kits. Proceeds from additional kit sales can benefit either the student group, or Penn Future, the statewide environmental organization.

For more information contact bob@powerminders.com

Earth Day Fundraiser Supports Pennsyvlania's Future

April 24th is coming... The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. To help celebrate this important milestone, students from across the state will be joining together to spread the word about ways in which we can reduce our impact on the environment. PowerMinders.com Energy Savings Kits are a great way to save energy in the home, and support student groups and initiatives.

Many student groups across the state of Pennsylvania are joining together to raise money for Penn Future, Pennsylvania's leading environmental advocacy group. "We're excited to have students on-board, helping to support us around Earth Day" says Christine Knapp, of Penn Future.

Student groups interested in participating in the fundraiser are encouraged to sign up at:

http://www.powerminders.com/fundraising/signup/

You can learn more about Penn Future at:

http://www.pennfuture.org/aboutus.aspx