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Cities, Towns Eligible for Energy Audits - December 05, 2007
PITTSFIELD - The Center for Ecological Technology has been awarded a contract to provide energy audits for municipal buildings in Western Massachusetts. The goal of the Energy Audit Program, which is sponsored by the state Department of Energy Resources, is to identify capital improvements that will help towns reduce energy costs.
Energy audits will be provided through the Energy Audit Program on a first-come, first-served basis. A town’s first step is to complete and submit an application to DOER. Then DOER will assign a contractor to review the application and schedule the energy audits.
Schools, town halls, libraries, police and fire stations, water treatment plants and other facilities owned and operated by cities or towns are eligible for energy audits. Waste-water treatment plants owned and operated by a district wastewater department or schools owned and operated by a regional school district are also eligible.
In 2008, DOER plans to offer matching grants up to $100,000 per town or school district for implementing cost-effective energy efficiency measures like heating and cooling system upgrades, energy efficient lighting, energy management controls, pumps and motors. These help reduce energy consumption for heating, cooling and electricity. To be eligible for funding, towns need to have received a qualifying energy audit. Utility incentives or other funds can be used for the match.
"Towns in Western Massachusetts are being hit hard by energy costs. Many haven't had energy audits in more than a decade and technology has significantly advanced. Energy efficiency is the best way to reduce costs and our impacts on the environment – something that so many citizens, businesses and municipal officials want to do," said CET Director Laura Dubester.
"DOER is pleased to have CET as a partner in the Energy Audit Program," said department Commissioner Philip Giudice. "Helping cities and towns find efficiency measures that will produce energy savings in these times of high energy prices is crucial. By participating in this program, municipalities will save money, improve the environment and set an example for citizens of their communities. Municipal energy audits are an important step toward long-term energy savings that will benefit us all."
For more information, contact Scott Durkee, Energy Audit Program manager at DOER, at (617) 727-4732, Ext. 40156 or Dubester at (413) 445-4556, Ext. 13. |
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