Author Archives: joshlynch

About joshlynch

Josh Lynch is the founder of Common Green, a Boston-based non-profit organization that organizes residents together to retrofit their homes and improve their community. Serving as Campaign Manager for Green For All in 2008, he coordinated Green Jobs Now, the first national day of action for green collar jobs. As Co-Founder of Energy Action Coalition, he was instrumental in building a diverse youth-led alliance that has become a force in U.S. politics.

Massachusetts Residents Call Out Scott Brown, Rally Strong for Clean Air

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Crossposted from 350.org

Today I got to stand next to more than 50 Massachusetts mothers, children, workers, community leaders, and people of faith to kick off something truly unique – a “crowd-funded” citizen’s campaign to hold Senator Scott Brown accountable for voting to gut the Clean Air Act. At 12:00pm on the sidewalk in front of the JFK Federal Building in Boston, also known as Scott Brown’s district office, we held banners and puppets of Scott Brown and his fat cat supporters “Coal” and “Oil, signs, and a blow-up of the new ad our friends and neighbors funded.

The text of the ad read: “Senator Brown: On April 6th you voted to gut the Clean Air Act. Was it because dirty energy companies and their corporate front groups poured more than $1.9 million into your campaign last year? Are you working for people or Big Polluters?” Interested in joining us in funding the ad? Check it out here.

Right after the rally Marla took our message up the JFK elevators to Senator Brown’s office, delivering word of the rally along with 103 postcards and 240 letters from members of the Massachusetts Council of Churches and Mass Interfaith Power and Light. The messages called on Senator Brown to support the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon dioxide next time a vote comes up on the Clean Air Act and ensure low income people have access to weatherization and green jobs.

At 6:30pm tonight at a podium inside the Newton Marriott Hotel Scott Brown will host a “Women for Brown” fundraiser (with a $1000 minimum) alongside the brand new Women For Brown coalition, a group created to respond to the League of Women Voters’ ads calling Scott Brown out for his April 6th vote to gut the Clean Air Act. We know what Scott Brown is going to say at that podium tonight: “Today in front of my office the political attack machine was at it again, playing politics as usual with the public.” He’ll talk about the “special interest groups” who are attacking him for trying to defend jobs. Yes, he will raise some money tonight. But the more Scott Brown digs in his heels, the more votes he will lose.

Today’s rally was no “political attack machine,” as Brown calls people who criticize him. Today’s rally was everyday-Massachusetts – a state where you don’t get to draw a line between jobs and the environment, the economy and climate change. People here across the political spectrum and in all corners of the state understand the threat of climate change and know that the jobs of tomorrow and today are in clean energy.

Green Sells: Energy Upgrades Raise Home Value

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Row of purple Monopoloy houses with a green house in the middle.The housing market, like the U.S. economy, is a mess. GDP growth dropped from 3.7% to 2.4% in the second quarter. In the housing market shrinking incomes and greater lender restrictions mean fewer qualified buyers are looking, which is driving down prices.

Here is the bottom line: if you want to sell your home without losing your shirt, you need an edge.

To find an edge, just look to the part of the economy that’s still growing – the green sector. In Massachusetts, major utility companies have stepped up energy efficiency investments this year with the goal of tripling enrollment in their programs. A recent report funded in part by the state department states that renewable energy use is at “a clear tipping point” for growth. Never before has it been more affordable to green your home.

Green home improvements enhance comfort, make homes more durable, save on monthly utility costs, and reduce pollution. One benefit that people don’t often think about is higher resale value. While your real estate agent may have asked you to add a fresh coat of paint, refinish your basement, or plant some flowers to spice things up, she probably hasn’t asked you to upgrade your insulation or qualify your home for ENERGY STAR.

A recent study published in The Appraisal Journal indicates that the market value of a home increases by $10 – $25 for every $1 decrease in annual fuel bills. An ENERGY STAR qualified 3,000 square foot new house can save around $800 per year (around $70/month) on utility bills compared to the standard new home. According to the report, this level of investment in improvements would add $8,000 to $25,000 to the market value. Energy savings and sale value benefits to existing homes are typically even higher because of the greater opportunity to upgrade energy performance. And unlike a new paint job, these investments will actually pay for themselves.

The financial benefits of energy improvements don’t stop at utility savings and higher market value. The New Homes with ENERGY STAR program provides an incentive of $750 to $8000 to homeowners, builders, realtors, or architects who meet standards that are 15-60% more energy efficient than a standard home, depending on the level you want to shoot for. Whoever applies to the program can earn the incentive.

Additions of at least 500 square feet can qualify for ENERGY STAR as well. To qualify, you need a third-party Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater to verify that the home is truly energy efficient. Total Green Energy Solution will do a HERS Rating for new homes or additions in Massachusetts at a price that is typically fully recouped with program incentives.

So, as you get ready to unload the biggest financial investment of your life, take the time to sell it right: go green first.