Monadnock Clean Energy Fair Promotes Sustainable Living

Get ready for an electrifying day at the second annual Monadnock Clean Energy Fair, hosted by The Monadnock Sustainability Hub (MSH). Whether you're a clean energy enthusiast, an electric vehicle aficionado or just curious about sustainable living, this vibrant event is for you. The fair will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Keene Dillant-Hopkins Airport in Swanzey, rain or shine. Discover innovative technologies, engage with local vendors and explore hands-on exhibits that showcase the future of clean energy. Don't miss your chance to connect with fellow eco-conscious residents and ignite your passion for a sustainable tomorrow. "Keene and Peterborough are looking to have 100 percent renewable energy for electricity for 2030 and have 100 percent renewable energy, transportation, heating and cooling for 2050," said Jack Lamont, MSH program manager. "This event is a good way to help us move toward those goals by educating people." The fair is a great opportunity for folks to learn more about cost-saving energy audits, weatherization, solar panels and heat pumps, along with the rebates, tax credits and other incentives that make such home improvements more affordable. During the event, a new MSH program aimed at helping area households take advantage of these opportunities, Electrify Monadnock, will be introduced. At the fair's EV expo, visitors can explore a diverse lineup of electric cars, motorcycles and bikes while connecting with enthusiastic EV owners and knowledgeable dealers ready to answer questions and provide rides and test drives. Experienced EV drivers will lead discussions about the world of electrical vehicles and the ins and outs of charging them. In addition to the EV expo, there will be an assortment of electric lawn care equipment and tools. "The 2050 goals that we have for transportation are pretty offbeat. The roads have mostly internal combustion cars right now. But the EV Expo is a really good way to stir up excitement about renewables," added Lamont. In the airport terminal, clean energy experts will give three presentations throughout the day: At 11:30 a.m., Doug Waitt, founder and president of Design Day Mechanicals, will explain how heat pumps can heat and cool your building efficiently. Waitt has more than 40 years of experience in the HVAC field. At 1 p.m., Mark Zankel, Director of Community Solar Farms for ReVision Energy, will discuss how community solar can provide clean, renewable and more affordable energy to communities. Zankel has spent almost 30 years working on environmental issues. In the final presentation at 2:30 p.m., Dori Drachman, MSH Chair, will discuss financial incentives that can be used to make clean energy improvements more affordable. Drachman champions clean energy through her work with MSH and the Peterborough Renewable Energy Project (PREP). The fair will also have plenty of fun for the whole family with an assortment of games and demonstrations. Food will be available to purchase through Mama McDonough's Irish Pub and The Sleazy Vegan. The Monadnock Clean Energy Fair is a collaboration of the Monadnock Sustainability Hub, the Keene Energy & Climate Committee and the Swanzey Energy Commission and is generously sponsored by Bergeron Mechanical Systems and Granite State Solar. Keene Dillant-Hopkins Airport is located at 80 Airport Rd., in Swanzey. For more information go to monadnocksustainabilityhub.org or contact Jack Lamont, MSH program manager, at jlamont@monadnocksustainabilityhub.org.