OSEA: Community Energy Update - July 2011, Issue 1

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In this issue:
WattsNEXT Bi-weekly Draw Winners!
OSEA Membership Update Webinar Summary
M'Chigeeng First Nation's ground-breaking success story
Help doctors shut Ontario's coal plants now!
Canada Clean Energy Mission to Australia

Watts Next Bi-weekly Draw Prize Winners

We are very happy to announce the first two rounds of winners in the bi-weekly draws for the WattsNEXT Contest.

Congratulations to our winners!

June 24th:
Grant Taibossiga, (M'Chigeeng), Chocosol gift certificate
Patrick Leckie (Toronto), Tom Rand book
Matthew Tynan (Huntsville), 1 yr OSEA Friend membership
Ruth Cooper (Hamilton), VIP pass to Green Energy Field Day

July 5th:
Christine Holmes (Thedford), Chocosol gift certificate Jane Weeks (Gore's Landing), Tom Rand book Tom Carpenter (Kingston), 1 yr OSEA Friend membership Lia Magi (Toronto), VIP pass to Green Energy Field Day

OSEA Membership Update Webinar Summary

On June 29th, OSEA hosted a webinar to update our members on what’s going on at OSEA and within the sustainable energy sector in Ontario. If you missed out, here are some highlights from the webinar:

David DeYoe, Chair of OSEA’s board of directors updated the members on the board’s transition from being operational to a more governance focused board.
Kris Stevens, the Executive Director, gave an update on OSEA’s focus as an organization moving beyond community power and towards integrated energy systems, while continuing to create synergies between communities and the commercial sector, and provide advice on energy policy and program evolution.
OSEA’s Audit and financial statements will be released to the members in September 2011.
OSEA has grown to 200 members (inclusive of all membership categories), and has a network of over 10,000 subscribers.
OSEA has become significantly more active on social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
The Community Power Services Group are working with several community groups through the planning and application process of getting a renewable energy project connected to the grid.
OSEA makes regular submissions to the Ontario Energy Board on policy matters. Please send us your feedback on the Feed-In Tariff to bring into the review process.
Donations can be made towards OSEA’s Education and Research Fund through TIDES Canada online and receive a tax receipt.
Sponsor WattsNEXT, Solar Drinks, our FIT webinar series, or the Community Power Conference and gain valuable recognition amongst our expanding network.

Requests for a recorded version of this webinar are available for OSEA Champion, Enabler and Supporter members only. Please contact Sonya DeVellis at sonya@ontario-sea.org or 416-977-4441 ext 5200 to request the recorded webinar.

M'Chigeeng First Nation's ground-breaking success story

M'Chigeeng launches wind farm, first for an Ontario First Nation

On Tuesday, 21st June 2011, construction started for the Mother Earth Renewable Energy (M.E.R.E.) wind project wholly owned by M'Chigeeng, a first in the First Nations. By next spring two 2MW wind turbines turbines will be in place and ready to deliver enough electricity for a thousand homes. The M.E.R.E. project demonstrates just what can be accomplished with a vision, perseverance and a commitment to sharing the benefits of renewable energy within the community.

DOWNLOAD: A Message from Assembly of First Nations National Chief to M’Chigeeng First Nation (PDF)
June 21, 2011
A Message of congratulations from the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo to M’Chigeeng First Nation on the occasion of the ground-breaking ceremony for the Mother Earth Renewable Energy (M.E.R.E.) wind project.

Read Full Article >>

Help doctors shut Ontario's coal plants now!

Dear Friend,

Ontario opposition leader, Tim Hudak, says if elected he will close coal plants by 2014. However, we don't need dirty coal to keep our lights on -- we can shut down coal right now and still meet our energy demands.

Please click here now to email Mr. Hudak and ask him to commit to closing the coal plants this year. Coal smoke doesn't stop at the Ontario border, so no matter where you live, Mr. Hudak needs to hear from you!

Thank you!

Gideon Forman, Executive Director Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)

P.S. - Help CAPE close the coal plants this year! DONATE NOW at www.cape.ca!

Canada Clean Energy Mission to Australia

The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT), in partnership with the Canadian Consulates General in Sydney and Auckland, and several key industry associations in Canada, is pleased to invite Ontario Clean Energy related companies to participate in the Canadian Clean Energy Mission to Australia 2011.

The mission will include exhibiting at the All-Energy Australia 2011 (Melbourne, October 12-13, 2011), Australia's largest clean energy event. Prior to and after the All-Energy Australia 2011, the mission will visit Sydney and Brisbane for market/opportunity development purpose.

Mission activities include exhibiting and attending conferences in All-Energy show, business briefings, presenting and showcasing opportunities at technical seminars, one-on-one meetings, networking events and site visits. Mission participants will gain valuable market information, explore potential partnerships and meet with key clients throughout the mission.

Ontario companies or organizations involved in all areas of the renewable energy industry - wind (onshore and offshore), wave, tidal, hydro, hydrogen and fuel cells, solar and biofuels, as well as the development of carbon mitigation solutions for traditional energy sources, including carbon capture and sequestration, energy efficiency improvements would benefit from the mission.

For further mission details or registration, please contact Wenbo Pan (wenbo.pan@ontario.ca; 416-325-6782).