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About Smart Energy Living Alliance (SELA)
Our mission is to help people make smart energy decisions.
SELA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that provides unbiased information, tools and resources to help consumers make intelligent, responsible energy decisions. Informed energy users will live more efficiently, reducing their energy use and their utility bills while they enjoy increased comfort and resale value.
SELA is devoted to educating consumers, students and small business professionals about energy efficiency and renewable energy.
SELA helps utilities in their efforts to implement energy efficiency, and we help companies build their energy-efficiency and renewable-energy businesses with training and promotion.
SELA is a cooperative effort of businesses, utilities, energy users and other partners committed to transforming the energy marketplace.
As we work together to transform the energy marketplace, there will be more educated energy users and more companies selling energy-efficiency products and services. Energy efficiency will be an easier choice. Increased energy efficiency and renewable energy will create economic and environmental benefits for everyone.
APPROACH
America is the most energy intensive economy in history - and demand continues to grow. More than half of the nation's oil is imported, much of it from the Mideast. Fossil fuel combustion has increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to levels unprecedented in human history. Energy efficiency and renewable energy can reduce dependence on imported oil, reduce energy bills, stretch our fossil fuel reserves and benefit the environment. Many investments in clean energy technology yield very positive returns but remain unrealized. Education is the critical tool to increase investments in clean energy. Consumers control the efficiency of energy use. Well-educated consumers will create a cleaner and more efficient energy future.
STAFF
Theresa M. Donahue, Executive Director
Ms. Donahue has over 25 years of experience as a nonprofit executive, public official and consultant. She served as a Cabinet officer, leading the Denver Department of Environmental Health, and as the mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, overseeing the city’s environmental and energy policies.
During her tenure as a city official, Ms. Donahue was the mayor’s liaison with the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board, served on the Governor’s Renewal Energy Task Force and the White House Partnership for Accelerating Technologies in Housing, led Denver’s designation as a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean City, facilitated the DOE Climate Change Action Plan Regional Roundtable, represented Denver at the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives’ Saitama Summit, and testified before Congress regarding alternative transportation fuels. She recently served as Executive Director of the Metro Denver Health and Wellness Commission.
Ms. Donahue holds a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental policy from Duke University and a Master of Regional Planning degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Matt Thornberry, Deputy Director
Matt Thornberry has been utilizing his business and environmental background managing the E-Star Colorado Program since 2001. Matt facilitates codes and standards grants, manages the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and Home Energy Rating System programs, and oversees educational seminars and special events. Matt is also a certified Building Analyst.
Tweedie Doe, Director of Administration and Finance, and interim School Program Manager.
Tweedie is responsible for managing SELA’s financial system and process, and overseeing facility and vendor contracts. Prior to joining SELA, Tweedie worked three years for the Council of Energy Resource Tribes on a Cooperative Agreement with the Department of Energy to facilitate tribal energy efficiency and renewable energy project development and implementation. Working closely with tribal leaders and federal agencies, she acted as liaison, conducted research on right of way issues and EERE opportunities, presented at conferences, and assisted Tribes on securing project funding. From 1994 to 2004, she served as data analyst then senior project manager for nVision Research where she worked with city governments on policy evaluation and citizen satisfaction surveys with government services, and industry research managers on marketing studies. Tweedie earned her M.A. in International Economics from the University of Denver and B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington. She has completed trainings in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies; project economics, financing, and grant application; and project permitting process.
Kristin Elsmore, Lead Project Coordinator
Kristin is an alumnus of the University of Vermont and holds a degree in Environmental Science and focus in Ecological Design. Her interests lie in her extensive volunteer history. From building homes for Habitat for Humanity and repairing solar panels on a small island in the West Indies to teaching women’s entrepreneurship in West Africa she seeks out way to improve the stewardship and livelihood of people on Earth. She is a licensed real estate agent and holds a certification as a permaculture apprentice. Kristin came onboard at SELA in June 2007 and works closely with homeowners, home performance contractors and utilities marketing and managing energy efficiency projects and programs around Colorado.
PROGRAMS AND DIVISIONS
Smart Energy Solutions (SOS)
Smart Energy Solutions brings together the information, resources and tools to help you understand how to reduce your energy use and save money. We publish a quarterly magazine, e-newsletter, offer workshops, provide online information, and links to contractors.
Smart Energy Learning (SEL)
Smart Energy Learning is a K12 program that reaches up to 10,000 students each year with a variety of programs, including the Energy Hog Traveling Road Show, Solar Schools, and Home Energy Investigation Contest.
E-Star Colorado
E-Star is committed to advancing energy efficiency in housing by providing critical training and support to the professionals who provide energy-efficiency services and products. In the past E-Star Colorado functioned as a separate nonprofit entity. In an effort to centralize and increase resources, E-Star is becoming a division of SELA.
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