Senator Jeanne Shaheen at Isles on Energy

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

On Friday, September 14, US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) toured toured Star Island with Star Island Corporation CEO Vicky Hardy and Facilities Superintendent Jack Farrell. The group toured Star’s historic hotel and structures including the potential site for the island’s solar array. (Continued below with photo)

During the visit Sen. Shaheen spoke about energy efficiencies highlighting the recently proposed bi-partisan Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness (ESIC) Act and its use of low-cost tools to reduce barriers for private sector energy users and drive adoption of off-the-shelf efficiency technologies that will save businesses and consumers money.

Star Island, located ten miles off the coast of New Hampshire, is not connected to main land power supplies and currently produces its electricity using diesel generators. The non-profit organization aims to continue its reduction of fossil fuel usage and improve its environmental footprint.

“Star’s future depends on developing a more sustainable approach to our use of limited resources and the natural environment while fostering a deeper appreciation of the island as an interconnected system.” Farrell said.

“The work being done on Star Island is a great example of the type of energy savings possible through innovative and alternative energy efficient measures,” Shaheen said. “The cheapest energy is the energy that we don't use, and that's why energy efficiency is something that we can all get behind.”

“Star Island seeks to be a model for other communities by moving towards greener systems,” Hardy said. “We are happy to learn of how we can more effectively move closer to our goals with the help of Senator Shaheen and the ESIC Act.”

Part of Star’s continued efforts towards more sustainable actions includes the Gosport Green Initiative. This on-island program relies upon the goodwill of staff and guests and has so far reduced landfill waste from the island by 39% coupled with a 78% rise in recycling.

The group also viewed the Oceanic Hotel’s roof which was recently renovated as a result of funding from the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, a program that was created during Shaheen’s tenure as governor of New Hampshire.

The Star Island Corporation was established as a nonprofit corporation in 1916 to hold and administer Star Island and its historic properties for religious, educational, and kindred purposes. The Laighton family owned and operated hotels on the Isles of Shoals that attracted some of the most prominent artists and writers of their day. Some of the cottages on Star Island date back to the 1700s. For more information visit StarIsland.org.