Enigin Update - Small Massachusetts Cities set Energy Efficiency Lead
THE Massachusetts, U.S., cities of Northampton and Pittsfield are looking to become a regional leaders in energy efficiency.
Northampton’s Mayor, Clare Higgins, about to leave office, plans today to launch the initiative "Northampton Leading the Way," to promote energy efficiency with businesses and residents.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that the programme stems from collaboration between the cities of Northampton and Pittsfield, the areas utility companies, and nonprofit Center for EcoTechnology, based locally.
The Gazette reports Higgins explaining that the programme will build on efforts already undertaken by Northampton's sustainability officer, Chris Mason.
The Mayor said: "The city's taken a lot of steps to reduce our energy costs and to be more thoughtful about energy use. You can't simply be a green community and rest on that. It's also how do you broaden that to the whole city? Every dollar that is saved in the city will get reinvested in the city.”
While Northampton launch their initiative, neighbouring city of Pittsfield will see Mayor James Ruberto detail their sister programme "Powering Pittsfield."
The initiatives are a partnership arranged by the Center for EcoTechnology, which has offices in both cities, in which utilities help pay for efforts that increase energy efficiency through building upgrades.
Higgins adds: "We're really being a partner with CET and the utility companies to move this forward.”
CET will also use a grant from utilities National Grid, Columbia Gas, Berkshire Gas and the Western Massachusetts Electric Company, to offer local businesses and commercial property owners energy-efficiency appraisals.
Financial help for businesses will then be sought for energy efficiency improvements, such as lighting systems that will save money and energy, then CET will also help them navigate channels for tax rebate or incentives that might apply.
Higgins told the Gazette that one of the goals of the programmes is education: making businesses aware of the assistance that is available to them for making energy efficiency improvements and the costs involved.
"This is really figuring out how to make the use of that (assistance) more straightforward and to maximise the programs," said Higgins. "There are tools that are available that we want to make available to the community."
Meanwhile, Northampton’s city officials plan to work with the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Improvement District to reach out to businesses.
Enigin Distributors, globally, are working with local municipalities to improve their energy efficiency and that of local businesses, all through utilising solutions from Enigin. The initiatives in these two cities are welcomed by local Enigin Distributors.
Picture of Northampton, Massachusetts main street by Redjar reproduced under CCL.
