Blog

The Monhegan Community Energy Action Team (CEAT) was created to serve a simple purpose: help people in the community lower the cost and environmental impact of their energy use through education about energy efficiency and conservation, and renewable energy.

An update on the work going on with the East Casco Bay Community Energy Action Team (CEAT), one of five teams pioneering intergenerational education and leadership around energy issues in seven year-round island communities in Maine.

We formed the Islesboro Community Energy Action Team back in January, 2015. Our team consists of CJ, a senior in high school and our cartoon artist extraordinaire; Tres, also a teenager, homeschooler and an expert seaman; Kendra, our fantastic Island Institute Fellow; and the two wise elders, Paula Mirk and Toby Martin. Islesboro is the long (it used to be called “Long Island”) narrow island just below Verona Island at the mouth of the Penobscot River. We have a year-round population of less than 1,000, and a summer population of more than 2,000.

The Island Institute’s Community Energy Program supports island communities in reducing their energy costs and increasing the reliability and sustainability of island electricity and heating infrastructure.

I spoke with economic development associate Stephenie MacLagan about the importance of high speed internet access on Maine’s islands and what the Island Institute is doing to help.

Welcome to the Island Institute’s blog. We’ll share interviews, photos, and stories from our staff, partners, and program participants about the issues facing our islands and coast and what we are doing to address them on a day-to-day basis. We’ll keep it informative and varied. Check back every week or so for new posts.
If you’re wondering about an aspect of our work, want to suggest a blog post, or have any comments, please contact us.