CET to offer 2 solar energy workshops

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Solar energy for your home or business is the subject of two workshops presented by the Center for Ecological Technology (CETsm) to highlight small-scale solar energy technologies and exciting new funding opportunities. Anyone who is curious about what’s involved in using solar energy at home or work is encouraged to attend the informational workshop, which will be presented in Lee and again in Williamstown. The first workshop is scheduled for Thursday, November 3 from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Lee Council on Aging, 45 Railroad Street. On Wednesday, November 9, the second workshop will be held at the Milne Public Library in Williamstown from 7 pm to 9 pm. Chris Vreeland, a registered professional engineer, will be the featured speaker. Both workshops are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is encouraged. CET’s solar energy workshop will help participants learn if a sun-powered renewable energy system is a good fit. Those who attend will learn the basics of using energy from the sun to create electricity or heat water. They will also learn how solar panels work, the components of a solar electric system, how to determine whether they have a good site and how to gain additional benefits through energy efficient improvements. Also covered will be average prices for solar electric and solar hot water systems, and how to find local contractors who install systems. Both workshops will highlight systems that have recently been installed in the Berkshires. The workshop will also discuss financial incentives available from the state and federal government. Mr. Vreeland will give an overview of those incentives and will summarize a new program offered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to help homeowners and small businesses pay for renewable energy systems. He will also describe the new federal tax credits that will be available in 2006 and 2007. Please pre-register if you are interested in coming to either of the workshops. To find out more or to pre-register, contact Amy Johns, at 413-445-4556 ext. 14 or email her at: amyj@cetonline.org. CET is a non-profit energy and resource conservation organization that has served western Massachusetts since 1976. CET receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. These workshops are made possible through grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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