Brian F. Keane: Bringing Revolution to the Energy Industry
By Space Coast Daily // January 27, 2023
Our world runs on the energy we produce. Clean energy production is the best way for energy generation without causing negative environmental effects primarily caused by fossil fuels.
Clean energy production also helps reduce adverse climatic changes caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The greenhouse gases are released during fossil fuel combustion, ultimately becoming the largest contributor to increased CO2 levels.
For instance, according to 2020 stats, coal was utilized to produce approximately 10 percent of the energy consumed in America. In the same year, coal combustion accounted for about 19 percent of CO2 emissions.
The term “clean” or “carbon-free” energy refers to the energy generated by sources that do not emit greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. By utilizing green energy, several long-lasting environmental benefits can be produced.
Most green energy sources, such as wind and solar, are commonly used renewable resources. Conversely, renewable resources can also be sometimes referred to as clean energy. Several companies have optimized their expertise in energy production through clean and renewable energy resources, including wind, power, solar, hydropower, tidal, and geothermal energy.
Such renewable energy resources are constantly being replenished and would not encounter the risk of shortage, unlike fossil fuels and natural gas.
Brian F. Keane, born in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 9, 1967, brought about a significant revolution in the energy industry. He grew up in Needham, Massachusetts, and graduated from Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. With a passion for politics, he headed to Washington, DC, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science from American University in 1989.
After working in Capital Hill and as Senior Advisor on a Presidential Campaign in 1992, Keane started his career as an environmentalist in 1998 by serving as the Director of External Affairs at the Conservation Law Foundation. In 2002, he pursued his passion and established his own company, SmartPower Inc.
Since then, he has served as the company’s president. SmartPower is a non-profit marketing agency that promotes clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency. SmartPower turbocharges energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts by working on behalf of utilities, businesses, foundations, state agencies, and the federal government. The company’s mission is to help Americans make smart energy choices by creating on-the-ground campaigns that engage the public to generate measurable energy actions.
Through the continuous efforts of Keane, SmartPower’s research and programming have transformed how customers use, adapt, and invest in clean energy and energy efficiency. In just three years, Keane has made his company reach over $100 million in residential solar, amplifying the number of energy-efficiency customers.
With the smart moves that the company has implemented, SmartPower has made award-winning “Solarized” Campaigns a reality which in turn has set the industry’s standard by:
- Increasing solar installations by 1000%.
- Maintaining a lead-to-contract conversation rate of 14% compared to an industry average of 5%.
- Overwhelming the market with a customer acquisition cost of 11 cents per watt compared to a national standard of 30 cents per watt.
In 2005, Keane was recognized in Connecticut’s ‘Outstanding Forty Under 40.’ His efforts have earned him four Gold Awards from the Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA) and the Green Circle Award from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Exploring his ways to strengthen clean energy and making the public familiar with it, he has received the 2010 and 2016 Clean Air Excellence Awards from the Environmental Protection Agency. His work paid off in 2014 when he received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the People’s Action for Clean Energy (PACE).
Passing his expertise to the audience, Lyon’s Press published Keane’s book, Green Is Good: Money, Make Money and Help Your Community Profit from Clean Energy. All these efforts have made Keane a strong acclaimed author, public speaker, environmental activist, political advisor, and expert in clean energy.
