1.  The competition was launched and completed in less than six months (no major renovations necessary)

2.  The reduced consumption was exceptional across all contestants, with most of the top contestants reducing energy consumption by approximately 30%

3.  The savings that these buildings racked up were in close to $20M, net of any expenses.

4.  The average savings per building was $30,000; the average cost, only $7,000

Click the link to jump ahead and see who was the “Biggest Loser”.

One of the contestants was a grass roots movement led by students

The Tesla S is expected in showrooms in 2011

Let’s face it – you love the Tesla and you can’t wait for the Tesla S to arrive in Fairfield County so you can glue your family to the seats as the car rockets from zero to 60 in 4 seconds — all the while cruising with a clean conscience that you have emitted zero carbon emissions (at least from the tailpipes).

On 5:30pm November 18 at Arcudi’s Restaurant, Jim Motavalli, freelance journalist and regular contributor to The New York Times’ Automobile Section, speaker, book author and radio personality about all things environmental, will lead a discussion with Westport’s Electric Car Club (bet you didn’t know we had one, did you?).  All are welcome.

Environmental Journalist, Jim Motavalli Joins the Westport Electric Car Club

Political Views and Affluence Drives Adoption

The key question for Westporters is:  what motivates us to conserve energy?  Recently, Westport became the recipient of a $4 million Department of Energy grant to promote energy conservation through a “Neighbor to Neighbor Challenge.”  Under the program, Westport, and several other Fairfield County town residents, will make personal commitments to reduce their household energy consumption.  Keep checking in here for more information about the Neighbor to Neighbor Challenge.

How Green is Connecticut?

So tell us Westport… what drives YOU to save energy?

“Since 2008, the Green Task Force has recognized the efforts of outstanding individuals, including youths, as well as businesses and other community organizations in the town who have demonstrated a commitment to protecting and improving the environment in a way that contributes to a long-term positive effect on the sustainability of Westport,” said Lake.

Nominations will be accepted through March 24. Nomination forms may be obtained online at  www.westportct.gov,  from the Selectman’s office, or by  printing out our form (PDF) by clicking WeGreenWestport Award Nomination Form.   Completed forms should be emailed to klake57@mac.com or mailed to Kimberly Lake, Chair, Westport Green Task Force c/o Town of Westport, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.

An online nomination form has also been created.  Complete the online form at 2010 WeGreenWestport Nomination Form.

The deadline for the receipt of submissions is 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24.  The Green Task Force will vote on the applications at its regularly scheduled meeting on April 7.

In 2008, the Green Task Force honored Kevin Green, resident and RTM Member, for his extraordinary green home renovation; Matthew Silver, then a student at Bedford Middle School, for his entrepreneurialism to raise money to plant trees at Bedford; Westport Wash and Wax for their inspirational solar installation to power their business; and Patagonia for their wonderful local support of green efforts throughout town and for their groundbreaking green business initiatives.

Last year, John Rountree, a leader and expert in solar designs and installation, A.J. Keiffer, President of Staples Green Club, and the Green Village Initiative founders Monique Bosch, Rebecca Howe, Sherry Jagerson, Dan Levinson, and Liz Milwe received the award.

The honorees were introduced by Kim Lake, chairman of the Westport Green Energy Task Force, and awards were presented by Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff. State Representative Toni Boucher was present as well to read a state proclamation honoring the Westport Green Village Initiative for all their efforts.