Smart Energy Source is a collaborative effort to S.E.R.V.E. the interests of energy consumers by seeking solutions to the increasing demands of maintaining generation capacity, balancing affordability with protecting the environment, and utilizing technology in the most economical and reliable way. Ken Blanchard, in his book "The Secret: What Great Leaders Know-And Do," used the acronym S.E.R.V.E. and we as a consortium believe it best illustrates the objectives of the Smart Energy Source initiative:

S – See the future
It is imperative that we create a greater understanding of the opportunities the future holds and be open-minded to new and innovative approaches to meeting our energy needs. Someone once stated, “Leadership is about going somewhere. If you and your people don’t know where you are going, your leadership doesn’t matter.”

In 1961, when President John F. Kennedy articulated a picture of the future — to place a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s and bring him home safely — the United States had not even invented the technology to accomplish it. To achieve that goal, NASA overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles, demonstrating the power of articulating a picture of the future. We must not discount new ideas and new approaches.

E – Engage
We must engage in research, innovation and dialogue to uncover available opportunities through current and future technology. We must engage in shaping policy at the local, state and national levels to ensure electric rates remain competitive. Smart Energy Source seeks to engage in projects that will better equip the partner utilities and their consumers with economically viable energy alternatives.

R – Reinvent for greater efficiency
A critical strategy for any business is to continually reinvent and adapt itself to new market and industry conditions. The electricity industry is very traditional and it will be difficult to change our firmly held paradigms. When early railroads were being built in the United States, some feared that they'd be the downfall of the nation! Here's an excerpt from a letter written to then President Andrew Jackson dated January 31, 1829:

As you may know, Mr. President, 'railroad' carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by 'engines' which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed.

V – Value
Ken Blanchard points out that to maximize your results as a leader it is imperative to have high expectations — to value — both results and relationships. Smart Energy Source is setting high expectations to achieve solutions and results through a partnership that works for, and values, the betterment of those we serve and the communities we are a part of.

E – Embody the values
The foundation of leadership is trust. The business author Tom Peters once stated, “Technique and technology are important, but adding trust is the issue of the decade.” We face times of increasing doubt and fear of leadership. Do we merely accept this or can we work collectively to counteract fear and doubt by starting at the grassroots? Members of this collaboration believe that we can establish a framework (Smart Energy Source) where we can grow, extend and restore trust in leadership and positively alter the trajectory of this issue and the many challenges we face in the energy sector.

Energy is the common thread to many of today’s debates, whether about national security or our economy. We cannot afford to get it wrong. Smart Energy Source is a grassroots initiative that will allow local input from all segments of society. We encourage you to review this site and to join the journey through collaboration, cooperation and coordination of this effort.