Article as it appeared by Kristy Wagner in Kennebunk Post, Jan 27, 2012

Heat can be hard to come by for Mainers in these economic times and for some people it can be even harder to hang onto once they have it.   Green Sneakers trekked through Kennebunk in October to spread the word about how to make homes more energy efficient.   Katie Poole, York County’s Green Sneakers representative, said the time has come to move forward from canvassing into guiding residents through the home weatherization process.   Maine Partners for Cool Communities founded the Green Sneakers project in 2010 when 125 volunteers canvassed 14 communities in the state, none of which were in York County.   Maine Partners for Cool Communities is an organization that educates Maine’s communities on energy efficiency and other ways to reduce global warming.   “Outreach is my job,” Poole said. “I’m an AmeriCorps member through the Maine Conservation Corps and through them I work with Maine Partners for Cool Communities.”

BELFAST— How local homeowners can finance and move ahead on energy-saving projects for their homes, using Efficiency Maine’s new low-interest loan program, will be the focus of a community forum at Belfast City Hall on Thursday, June 16, from 6:30 to 8:30pm. The event is hosted by the City of Belfast Energy and Climate Committee, Efficiency Maine, and Maine Partners for Cool Communities and its signature Green Sneakers Project. The event in the City Council Chambers at 131 Church St. is open to the public. Homeowners and community leaders are encouraged to attend.