COOL Gatherings Neighborly Way to Spread Green Ideas
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The town's CO2 Lowering Committee is launching a series of seriously COOL Neighborhood Gatherings to share ways to conserve energy and affect climate change.
"We hope that attending the gatherings will help people take the next step to reduce their carbon footprint, whether that is putting up a clothesline, recycling, or signing up for green electricity," said Sarah Currie Harding, the committee's newest member and mother of two small children. "There is something for everyone to do and talking with friends and neighbors to share ideas, information, and resources is not only useful, but a lot of fun. Even simple things like a hanging clothes on a line make a difference."
The COOL Committee has set a townwide goal of reducing carbon emssions by 10 percent below the year 2000 level by 2010. According to the carbon emissions inventory conducted by the committee using data from 2000, more than 50 percent of the town's carbon emissions came from residential energy use in homes and vehicles.
The gatherings will include information on free home energy audits, incentives to pay for home energy improvements, options for energy-efficient lighting, supporting renewable energy through electric bills, options for installing renewable energy at home or promoting renewable energy installations in the community, and how to support the COOL Challenge and calculate your home's carbon footprint.
Attendees will also receive a reusable hopping bag, an energy-efficient bulb, and a length of clothesline to take advantage of solar drying.
The first Gathering will be at the home of Selectman Thomas Costley and Elizabeth Costley at 70 Bulkley St. on Sunday, May 3, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The Costleys are hosting the first of what is hoped will be a series of gatherings.
Guests will be able to see their solar hot-water system and learn about other green features of the Costley home. They will also be shown how to evaluate their homes as sites for a solar installation and other energy conserving measures.
While geared toward Williamstown residents in the Costley neighborhood, the event is open to the public. Those attending should RSVP to COOL Committee members Wendy Penner at wendypenner@hotmail.com or Harding at 413-458-3061. Attendees are asked to consider walking or biking to the Costleys as a way to keep the gathering green.
Williamstown residents who would like to host their own gathering should contact Penner or Harding. Gatherings can focus on issues of particular interest to the host, such as green living, recycling, renewable energy, which they would like to share with friends and neighbors. The COOL Committee will also provide information about community initiatives.
