CET offers Solar Energy Seminar

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On Thursday, November 6, the Center for Ecological Technology (CET) will offer a Solar Energy Seminar from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Lenox Town Hall auditorium at 6 Walker Street in Lenox. This seminar is designed for small businesses and institutions, home owners and owners of farms. Check-in begins at 6 p.m. Chris Vreeland, a registered professional engineer, will be the featured speaker.

Advance registration is required and a donation of $10 is suggested. BerkShares are acceptable. To register for the seminar, contact Cynthia Grippaldi at CET (413-445-4556 ext. 25 / cynthiag@cetonline.org).

Unstable fuel prices and economy, as well as concern about the effects of fossil fuels on our health and environment are driving the demand for conservation and local, clean sources of energy, like solar hot water and solar electric. Interest in solar systems for homes, farms, schools and businesses in the Berkshires continues to grow. Grants and tax incentives are available to help offset the cost of investing in solar energy and other renewable technologies.
 
Under the Commonwealth Solar program, businesses and homeowners will be eligible for rebates of at least $2 per watt or $2000 per kilowatt for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Commercial customers who install a typical 50-kilowatt solar power system can expect to reduce costs by 40 percent. Vreeland will talk about state and federal tax incentives for solar PV and solar hot water systems, and summarize a rebate program offered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to help homeowners and small businesses pay for renewable energy systems.
 
This seminar is designed to help homeowners and businesses determine if a solar installation would be a good fit for their situation. Attendees will learn the basics about how solar hot water and solar photovoltaic panels work, the components of a solar energy system, how to determine what size system is needed, whether they have a good site and how to gain additional benefits through energy efficient improvements. Information about local contractors will also be available.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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