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Mission Statement, Achievements, Work in Progress, Green Communities Act, Residential Energy Efficiency Programs, Resources, Minutes, Members
Mission Statement
"Working in conjunction with town leadership, the Energy Task Force will proactively seek to identify stategies and potential funding partnerships in order to lower municipal and school energy expenditures and community greenhouse emissions."
Achievements
- Awarded $ 150, 000 grant for Lane School energy conservation updates.
- Audits and analysis of municipal/school building energy use to improve energy efficiency.
- Negotiating with NSTAR for energy efficient lighting retrofits.
- Purchase of infrared camera to assess building and system effieciencies.
- Kill-a-Watt meters available for circulation at the town library. (thanks to Friends of the Library funding.)
- Research into "best practices" in other communities.
Work in Progress
- The Energy Task Force is pursuing Green Communities designation through Town Meeting to vote authorization of the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code (780 CMR 120.AA).
- Town Energy Policy is being developed in collaboration with town administration, committees, and approval by Selectmen.
Green Communities Act
The Bedford Energy Task Force aims to qualify Bedford as a Green Community.
Green Communities Act - At least thirty five municipalities have already been designated green communities, including our neighbors in Arlington, Chelmsford, Lexington, and Lincoln. Governors' announcement.
Why should Bedford become a green community?
- Reducing energy consumption reduces our impact on the environment.
- An infrastructure that encourages the responsible use of energy makes our town a more attractive place to live and work.
- Decreasing energy use in municipal buildings saves our tax dollars.
- The building code will become stricter soon anyway. By adopting a stricter building code now, as part of becoming a green community, we can be ahead of the curve and be eligible for grant money.
- Building with more energy efficient materials results in a net savings for homeowners and businesses. Stretch Code Cost Projections.
- The Commonwealth of Massachusetts allocates 10 million dollars annually for towns with Green Community designation who submit proposals for municipal energy upgrade projects. State subsidy of the town's energy efficiency investments saves your local tax dollars. In order to be eligible to receive funding, 5 criteria must be met.
How do we qualify as a green community? How will we achieve these goals?
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Requirements
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Bedford Progress |
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Allow businesses to be sited within their
borders that conduct alternative energy
research and development OR alternative
energy technology manufacture OR
alternative energy production. (Only one
of the three is necessary.)
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Bedford already allows for 'as-of-right-
siting' for alternative energy research and
development. |
Expedite permitting for such businesses
so that permits are awarded within 1 year
of application.
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Current permitting practices are under
review, however permits have historically
been granted in a timely fashion.
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Produce and submit a plan to reduce
municipal energy use by 20% within a 5
year timeframe. |
Bedford has already made significant
progress toward this goal, although we
still have more to do.
The Town Facilities Manager, Richard
Jones, has established an energy use
baseline beginning in 2005 and has been
working to reduce energy costs for the
last several years. Town of Bedford
Energy Usage and Reduction Progress.
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Develop and submit a plan that commits
to the purchase of energy efficient
vehicles for the town fleet. (Purchases to
be made only as vehicles require
replacement. Exemptions: emergency
and heavy-duty vehicles.)
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The Energy Task Force intends to
collaborate with town departments to
develop a policy related to new vehicle
purchases. |
Require all new residential construction
over 3,000 square feet and all new
commercial and industrial real estate
construction to reduce lifecycle energy
costs. |
Bedford can fulfill this criteria by adopting
the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code
(780 CMR 120-AA) |
| Bedford Energy Reduction Progress |
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Bedford has already decreased its municipal energy usage since 2007, as a result of conservation measures. A couple of the energy saving measures implemented by the Town Facilities Director include upgrading to more energy efficient systems in the schools and tracking energy usage in town buildings. Further areas for improvement have been identified and will put Bedford on track to meet the 2012 goal of 20% energy reduction in five years. Not only does this fulfill one requirement to be designated a green community, but it means that fewer of our tax dollars are spent on unnecessary energy consumption.
To learn more about the green communities grant programs, visit DOER's website.
DOER Grant Programs
Learn about projects already funded in designated green communities.
Green communities projects
What can citizens do to help?
Support Bedford's application to become a green community and learn more about the stretch code. Community education programs regarding the stretch code will be scheduled. Calendar of events (TBD) will be posted on this website.
Consider updating your home for energy efficiency.
Learn how Brenda Kelly did it.
Learn how Carrie Sarno did it.
What is the stretch code?
The Stretch Code is a more stringent requirement for energy efficiency than the standard
building code. Massachusetts cities and towns that adopt the Stretch Code require new
construction (or substantial renovations) to be more energy efficient. Ultimately this
saves money for the owner. It also provides a way for the owner to confirm that advertised energy savings will be achieved. Projected cost savings for various building types can be found at Stretch Code Cost Projections.
The stretch code is not intended to take precedence over safety, health or environmental requirements.
The specific requirements of the stretch code depend on the size, use (residential vs. commercial), and type (new vs. renovation) of construction. Please visit the links below for more detailed information.
Stretch Code Document
Stretch Code Overview
Commonly Asked Questions
Forty five communities have adopted the stretch code as of August, 2010. Click here to see the most current map of communities who have already adopted the stretch code.
Residential Energy Efficiency Programs
In addition to saving tax money, how can your household save money on energy?
Residential energy efficiency programs help you save on heating and electricity. The Energy Task Force is planning programs to help town residents save money on heating and electricity by improving energy efficiency in their homes.
Calendar of programs (TBD)
Home Energy Audits
What to Expect
Appliance Upgrade Rebates
Nstar Gas Energy Efficiency Programs
National Grid Energy Star Products
State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
DSIRE
Cash for Caulkers
Resources
Get started with energy efficiency for your home!
Education Materials
Kilowatt Ours (movie)
Energy Efficient Products
Energy Star Products
Kill-a-watt Meters
Kill-a-watt meters are available for check out at the Bedford Town Library. Kill-a-watt meters can be plugged into electronic equipment to determine how much energy is consumed, including devices that are powered off but still plugged in.
Energy Task Force Members
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Year |
| Abigail Hafer |
2013 |
| Andreas Uthoff |
2013 |
| Brenda Kelly |
2013 |
| Carolyn Sarno |
2013 |
| Suzy Enos, Chair |
2013 |
| Robert Kalantari |
2013 |
| Margot Fleischman (Selectmen) |
2013 |
| Richard Jones (Facilities Director) |
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| Amy Lloyd (Planning Board Liaison) |
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| TBD (School Liaison) |
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- The Task Force is an ad hoc committee authorized by the Town's Selectmen. Terms are one-year, renewable.
- Committee composition: six appointed residents, one appointed Selectman, plus the Facilities Manager.
- The Energy Task Force complies with Open Meeting regulations.
Energy Task Force Minutes
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