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Weatherstripping is one of the measures small businesses can take to realize energy savings.

CET Offers Webinar on Weatherization for Small Businesses

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Center for EcoTechnology on Wednesday will host a webinar to help small businesses learn about the benefits of weatherization.
 
"Right now, due to the current COVID-19 and economic situation, utilities have temporarily increased incentives available to small businesses – in some cases up to 70-100 percent of installed energy saving measures will be covered," said Katherine Butler, the special projects manager at CET.
 
"This means it’s a terrific time for businesses to pursue these energy efficiency measures. In general, weatherization is a phenomenal way to stimulate the local economy, save businesses money, and help the environment, and we want to help spread the word."
 
The webinar, which will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., will cover topics including insulation and air sealing, potential costs from energy savings and the new incentives that are available.
 
"Small businesses are a historically underserved sector, and CET is working with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, as well as Berkshire Gas, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, and Eversource on a pilot to develop a model that weatherizes more small businesses," Butler said. "An important component of this is raising awareness of the services and utility incentives available to businesses through the Mass Save program, as well as the benefits for business owners.
 
"Specific measures we’ll be discussing include insulation, air sealing, weatherstripping, pipe insulation, and direct install measures. These measures often provide businesses energy savings, cost savings, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and increased comfort in the building."
 
Attendees at Wednesday's webinar will be able to participate in a live question-and-answer session with experts.
 
To register for the webinar, go here.

Tags: CET,   sustainability,   webinar,   

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Williamstown Fire District Dedicates New Station

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

Chief Jeffrey Dias recognizes firefighter Alexandra Riggs, who will graduate from Williams College next week. See more photos here.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Massachusetts fire marshal came to town Saturday to congratulate the local Fire District and the taxpayers of Williamstown for the "amazing" station they have built on Main Street.
 
"I travel around the state, and I've seen hundreds of firehouses around the state — some great, some not so great," Fire Marshal Jon Davine told a crowd gathered outside the station for its dedication. "And I think we saw what the previous station here was in Williamstown. I'll tell you, especially in Western Massachusetts, we have a really big problem with deteriorating firehouses throughout Western Mass. These buildings are collapsing around our firefighters.
 
"And, as the marshal, it's my job to advocate for the departments for more funding. We've been working with our state reps and local reps and the fire chiefs association, trying to come up with different funding streams, so that we can help these departments build new stations, do better, safer stations, so that they have the equipment and the building they deserve to do their job safely."
 
The chair of the Prudential Committee, which governs the Fire District, and the chief of the department both thanked Williamstown residents for the 2023 special district meeting vote that paved the way for the station that went into operation earlier this year.
 
"It's an honor and a privilege to join you today as we celebrate this grand opening of the new firehouse," Chief Jeffrey Dias said. "This facility is so much more than a building that houses fire trucks. It stands as a symbol of our community's commitment to safety, preparedness and public service. It's a place where our members will maintain our equipment. They will learn about our craft. They'll share meals and, yes, from time to time, they're going to share sorrow.
 
"This isn't a fire station. This is a firehouse. And people have heard me say this a million times already. And it houses the very best second family that one could imagine."
 
Dias was joined at the podium set up in the parking lot for the noon ceremony by Prudential Committee Chair David Moresi, state Rep. John Barrett III and the the Rev. William F. Cyr, who gave an invocation.
 
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