In Memory of Lawrence Blair Hamilton

Lawrence Blair Hamilton died on Friday, April 8th, 2011.

Blair believed in the importance of activism and the power of small things.  Blair was responsible for the installation of at least 30 million efficient light-bulbs!  Together the EAC and Blair accomplished a lot. As one of the foremost experts on energy efficiency he didn't have to take a chance with the EAC. But he did because he believed in the radical potential of smaller jurisdictions becoming examples for the rest of the world. Thanks in large part to his dedication and expertise Nova Scotia now has one of the most aggressive electric efficiency plans in Canada.  Blair is an inspiration and we honour him by continuing to work for a more just and sustainable world with his spirit of wisdom, hope and tenacity.

Tribute to Blair

Written by Brendan Haley, former EAC Energy Coordinator

Lawrence Blair Hamilton died on Friday, April 8th, 2011.

Blair had a major impact on the province of Nova Scotia and the Ecology Action Centre.  Many did not have the opportunity to meet Blair, but still know the importance of his work with the EAC and the energy issues committee in particular.

Blair had a long life of activism.  He is someone who truly changed the world, one-step at a time, through his work in many places.  After the 1973 oil shock, he dedicated his life to advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy.  With his wife Beth, they started several on-the-ground projects and organizations to advance an appropriate technology vision.  In 1986, he founded the non-profit Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) and went on to create Efficiency Vermont.  The American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy named Blair a "Champion of Energy Efficiency".  Blair also accepted an innovation award from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government in 2003.

For anyone in the efficiency world, Blair was a powerhouse.  I called him up from my post as energy coordinator at the EAC to ask for his help with an upcoming Demand Side Management process in Nova Scotia.  I was a bit nervous, but I he quickly put me at ease with by his good nature and openness.  Blair was the least intimidating and least arrogant person you would ever meet, but he obviously knew his stuff.

The EAC and Blair eventually gained the trust of a huge number of stakeholders and we accomplished a lot.  The planned levels of investment in energy efficiency were significantly increased to the point that Nova Scotia now has one of the most aggressive electric efficiency plans in Canada.  We brokered an unprecedented settlement agreement between parties.  A now Nova Scotia will create Canada's first ratepayer funded efficiency agency - Efficiency Nova Scotia ­- an objective that seemed near impossible from the outset.

Blair struggled with health issues throughout his life.  In 1991, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, but that didn't stop him.  I distinctly remember strategizing with him on the phone while he was in the middle of hospital procedures.  He seemed to never let a second go to waste!

Blair believed in the importance of activism and the power of small things.  Blair was responsible for the installation of at least 30 million efficient light-bulbs!  He didn't have to take a chance with the Ecology Action Centre, an underfunded environmental group in a small Canadian province, but he did because he believed in the radical potential of smaller jurisdictions like Vermont and Nova Scotia becoming examples for the rest of the world.

Anyone who had the opportunity to work at his side benefited from his amazing knowledge and received inspiration from his drive.  For me, the experience of working with Blair changed my life and my perspective on things.

Blair is an inspiration to groups like the Ecology Action Centre and we honour him by continuing to work for a more just and sustainable world with his spirit of wisdom, hope and tenacity.

Donations may be made to the Blair Hamilton Memorial Energy Efficiency Fund for innovation in energy and social justice at VEIC, 255 S. Champlain St., Burlington, VT 05401

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