Free Energy Audit Program Began Last Week

Audit team members prepare for conducting home energy audits.

Cambridge residents looking to save on utility bills for electricity and heating can request a free audit this summer from the Youth Energy Audit Partners, a collaborative project of HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team) and the Cambridge Community Center. Three audit teams will install energy and water-saving devices, calculate the dollar savings from these devices, and advise homeowners and tenants on the costs and benefits of additional energy efficiency work and how to obtain rebates and contractors. On average, households can realize a 10%-15% savings on electric and heating bills, or an estimated $200 a year by implementing simple measures.

Each team is led by a trained supervisor, and two high school students employed by the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program. The project is made possible by material resources and advice contributed by the Cambridge Energy Alliance, and grant awards from Constellation Energy EcoStar and the Cambridge Agassiz Harvard Fund, which serves as a catalyst for innovative programming to address emerging community needs.

To sign-up for a free audit for home energy savings , contact:
Ms. Doreen Wade, Cambridge Community Center, Tel. 617-547-6811

See also CEA and NSTAR canvass Cambridge businesses

CEA and NSTAR canvass Cambridge businesses

CEA canvassing interns: Trevor, Laurence, Stephanie, Mira, Danit, Federico

Starting Wednesday, July 7th, a city-wide canvass will be visiting Cambridge business squares, bringing money- and planet-saving opportunities to the doors of hundreds of small businesses.  Canvassers will talk with business owners about what they can do to make their businesses more energy efficient, supplying them with ample information about which programs to employ to best suit their needs. During these short interactions, businesses will have the chance to sign up for a free energy assessment, and connect with other community resources including:

  • New Generation Energy works with green-minded individuals, corporations, and foundations to develop funds to help support green energy upgrades for community nonprofit organizations.
  • The Sustainable Business Leader Program assists businesses in Boston and Cambridge to become more sustainable by offering technical, hands-on assistance that is affordable, actionable and practical.

In previous residential canvasses, the numbers of buildings reached has been substantial.  Through the efforts from Northeastern University’s Summer Discovery Internship program as well as the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program, the Cambridge Energy Alliance will reach an estimated 1,000 small businesses by the completion of the campaign–  July 22nd. These students range from age 14 to 18 years of age, and have come from both nearby (Cambridge) and far (UK, China, Nicaragua, California, and New Jersey)  to make a real difference in this community, while gaining experience that they will surely employ in future ventures.

This campaign is especially significant due to the nature of the target audience. Eighty percent of energy used in Cambridge goes to buildings, and 67% of energy used in Cambridge goes to commercial use. Reducing the commercial energy used by implementing efficiency measures from simply replacing incandescent lighting with CFL bulbs to improving heating and cooling systems within businesses will go a long way toward reducing Cambridge’s overall carbon footprint.

The CEA interns will be out in the field Monday-Thursday from 1pm-3:30pm. So that you may be on the lookout for their friendly faces when they’re in your area, here’s the tentative schedule:

July 7th: Inman Square & Cambridgeport

July 8th: North Cambridge

July 12th: Leslie & Porter Square

July 13th: Harvard Square & Church Street

July 14th: Mt. Auburn & Brattle Square

July 15th: Dana Hill, Bow Street, & City Hall

July 19th: Central Square & Lafayette

July 20th: Concord Ave, Huron, & Strawberry Hill

July 21st: East Cambridge

July 22nd: Kendal/Brookline/Sherman/Broadway

Entire City of Boston to be Scanned for “Energy Gushers”

IR scan of a local home
Big news coming out of Boston this week. Last Friday, the Wattzy team had the opportunity to join Mayor Tom Menino and MIT Projessor Sanjay Sarma for an historic announcement – the entire City of Boston is to be scanned in infrared.

Infrared scanning is nothing new in the world of single-family homes, as any energy efficiency pro can tell you. Utilities like NStar even offer home infrared scans at free or discounted cost. They are highly effective at identifying areas of home heating inefficiency. Although commercial services have offered wide-area aerial scans for some time, this will be the first complete street-level scan of a major city.

If any place can use a city-wide scan, it certainly is Boston. Our housing stock is some of the oldest in the country, which means a huge opportunity for energy savings. The Boston Climate Action Leadership Committee estimates that Boston business and residents “could save more than $2 billion over 10 years” through basic weatherization.

It was no coincidence that this historic event took place at the offices of Next Step Living, a leading Boston-based contractor that provides energy efficiency services directly to homeowners.

Contractors like Next Step Living “are the energy drillers of the clean-tech era,” said MIT Professor Sanjay Sarma. “Instead of the Gulf, they are drilling for energy savings in our homes. This infrared technology is for prospecting.” Professor Sarma is widely credited as the technology visionary behind the foundation of the commercial RFID industry.

Continuing with the “Drill, Baby! Drill!” theme, Galen Nelson, the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s green tech business manager said, “The American home is often referred to as the Saudi Arabia of energy efficiency. There’s so much to be capped.”

In addition to developing the infrared technology to scan every square foot of Boston from the aircraft and street level, Professor Sarma isn’t afraid to put his money where his mouth is. He displayed an infrared image of his home pulsating with red highlights from excessive heat loss. A still version is show above.

“An Energy Gusher,” Professor Sarma said, “and a huge opportunity.”

We at Wattzy certainly agree! The opportunity to save with energy efficiency can indeed be huge.

That’s why Wattzy provides Professor Sarma and all residents of the City of Boston with an easy way to estimate and track their savings from energy efficiency projects.

Drink Local, Hike Local too

Stonybrook State Park by Harvest ZhangCCTV blogger Karen Klinger has an interesting write-up of her stroll around the birthplace of your drinking water last Monday evening. Should you find the tale inspiring, you have two more chances to take part in a guided tour of the upper watershed, and three of Fresh pond. If you attend, or otherwise visit Fresh Pond check out some of the interesting 1) public 2) art versions of the watershed map:

Map of the Cambridge drinking water watershed

Peabody Terrace Competition Results

On March 6th, 84 residents at Peabody Terrace participated in an incandescent light bulb swap for compact fluorescent bulbs. Residents received one free CFL for every incandescent bulb they turned in—over 200 efficient CFLs found homes. The CFLs were provided by the Cambridge Energy Alliance and Harvard Real Estate Services (HRES). HEET, CEA, and HRES organized the promotion and logistics of this successful competition.

During the swap, residents learned about other ways to cut their carbon emissionsseasonable tips also available—and many signed up for a two-month long competition to see who can reduce them the most.

The results are in!

  • Apartments reduced their electricity use by an average of 11%
  • The top six winners reduced their electricity use by 30%
  • And the first place prize winner reduced electricity use by 58%

Winners received several enticing prizes including Smart Strips; credit at Zip Car; and gift certificates/cards from Clear Conscience Café, Shaw’s and Harvest Co-op Market.

Global Warming Solutions Act

Boston Harbor - Seen from the Top of Mystic River Bridge. In Foreground, Massachusetts Port Authority Shipping Facility Has New Equipment That Permits Direct Loading from Ship to Freight Train 02/1973 by The U.S. National Archives If you’ve been itching to voice your opinion on state global warming legislation, now’s your chance! Public hearings are being held across the state next month to discuss the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target and Draft Committee Implementation Plan for 2020.

A little background:

In August 2008, Governor Patrick signed into law the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), an Act that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by 2050, with a 2020 target set between 10 and 25 percent below 1990 levels.  Massachusetts has already promulgated greenhouse gas reporting regulations under the Act; 2009 emissions will be the first year reported. The Act requires that by January 1, 2011 the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA), develops an implementation plan for achieving the reductions required to meet the 2020 target.

The Commonwealth’s technical consultant completed an analysis demonstrating that state and federal policies now in place, or anticipated, have Massachusetts on track toward emissions reductions of 18 percent by 2020. On Earth Day, April 22, 2009, the Secretary announced that hearings would be held around the state to take public comment on a 2020 reduction target between 18 percent and 25 percent. The Secretary also recently released a draft report on this topic: Cost Effective Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Massachusetts: An Analysis of 2020 Potential.

If you have expertise in the area, or just want to show support for clean energy legislation in the state of Massachusetts, please take note of the hearing dates and locations!

P.S. See also June 3rd‘s Panel on Federal Climate Legislation.

MIT & NSTAR partner for efficiency

Earth as MIT's Great Dome Just announced this morning:

In an effort to dramatically cut energy use at one of the country’s premier academic and research institutions, NSTAR and MIT are teaming up to launch the single most aggressive efficiency project in NSTAR history. Dubbed “MIT Efficiency Forward,” the program has a goal of cutting electricity use by 15 percent over three years through innovative programs, substantial student, faculty, and staff engagement, and the piloting of new technologies and approaches at MIT.

Read the rest of the press release.

Urban Foraging with David Craft

David Craft shows off a wild grape plant. Last week we went on an edible plant walk through our neighborhood. It was hosted by David Craft, whose book, Urban Foraging, details the produce he collects around Boston. He started out the evening by feeding us all black locust blossoms. It was bizarre pulling them off the branch and popping them right in my mouth, but they tasted sweet, like pea shoots.

Foraging obviously isn’t an efficient way of getting food, but it would be nice to be able to recognize plants as you walk past and just gather a handful for dinner. Also, it seems like most should be collected when they’re young, in the early spring. At that point most farmer’s markets haven’t started yet, so it’s a nice way to get super local food when it’s not otherwise easily available. And I have to admit to the urge to grab handfuls of berries from my neighbors’ yards.

On the other hand, in the city I would be worried about contamination. I’ve read that plants don’t absorb heavy metals in high concentrations, so it’s ingesting the dirt on the outside that’s the main problem. A thorough washing takes care of that. But who knows what pesticides have been sprayed on them and how much they retain? Probably less than conventional produce, but what’s a good rule of thumb? None of the urban foragers I’ve read deal with that, except to tell you to avoid highways. I’m going to keep researching, but if anyone has some insight to share, please do!

In the meantime, I’m going to get a good field guide so that I can identify edible plants, even if I’m not up to eating them yet. David’s book is more of a primer on the subject.

Cross-posted on pragmaticenvironmentalism.com

Saturday: 4th Annual BLS Youth CAN Global Climate Change Summit

Boston Latin Youth Climate Action Network
Enjoy a great day of climate workshops, presentations, green vendors, youth displays, and climate related activities. Film a public service announcement. Create a sustainability message at the YouTube booth. Take workshops about green architecture, eating sustainably, futuristic carbon-free energy and many more. All who register (online) will be entered into a drawing for door prizes including iPods, gift certificates, and more.

An afternoon networking session will give Summit attendees to become part of Youth CAN’s Massachusetts Education for Sustainability Campaign aimed at requiring education for sustainability at the secondary level.

Event is free, including breakfast and lunch. Register online as soon as possible to obtain a slot in the workshop of your choice. More information.

Check out a video of last year’s summit:

ecO ‘lectrc’ty where art thou?

green power by S Migol Did you know that you have the option to choose who makes your electricity? Since deregulation in 1997, NSTAR no longer generates electricity. This is why there are separate charges on your utility bill for generation and distribution.

One of the hopes of utility deregulation in the late 90s was that it would allow for market forces to create a cleaner energy supply. The idea was that if customers were not forced to buy energy from their local utility they might express demand for less damaging electricity generation. Many academics and environmentalists were worried though, that consumers would instead focus on cost and become blind to other energy attributes, or remain ignorant of the specific ties and between power generation and the environment. This belief seems well-founded since more than five years into deregulation, fewer than 4% of Massachusetts customers had chosen competitive suppliers.

Bay State policy makers foresaw the difficulties for individuals in overcoming inertia to become informed and make the switch to another provider, an therefore included a novel clause in the deregulation act providing for something known as community choice aggregation. Community choice allows municipal governments to go through the competitive supplier selection process on behalf of all of their residents, permitting them to take advantage of the resulting collective bargaining power. Although Cambridge has not availed itself of this option, dozens of communities have, including those served by the well-known Cape Light Compact. Therefore, you are most likely receiving electricity through NSTAR’s default or standard offer service. Because NSTAR no longer runs power plants it acts as a de facto aggregator itself, and through an annual bidding process selects a provider for customers without a competitive supplier.

How green is this supply? What if you want something different? NSTAR began offering a wind-based power supply a little over two years ago, but there are other options available. At one point many businesses sought to be competitive suppliers in Massachusetts, but very few remain in the residential sector. Fortunately NSTAR provides a more up to date database of competitive suppliers. Simply search for your rate class (typically 01 for residential and 02 for small business) to obtain a list of alternative electricity suppliers.

Although it is still listed, Just Energy no longer offers service in Massachusetts. Neither Alternative Energy Resources nor Angora has publicly available information, and both did not respond to inquiries. The table below summarizes the information I was able to gather about the remaining residential competitive suppliers in Massachusetts. Prices are ¢/kWh for December 2009.

New England AverageNSTAREasy EnergyDominionHorizon
BasicGreen 50Green 100BasicGreen 50Green 100
Biomass6.0%10.1%12.4%2.1%0.2%
Hydro5.4%3.0%1.0%8.0%35.5%74.9%7.1%1.1%
Solar3.1%6.2%
Wind50.0%100.0%3.4%6.4%0.9%
“Renewables”3.3%8.0%5.0%
Incinerator0.5%3.0%0.6%
Landfill gas0.5%0.3%
Nuclear14.4%29.0%15.0%35.0%14.0%28.8%35.6%
Coal8.9%16.0%7.0%13.0%6.0%15.8%53.3%
Diesel2.1%
Natural gas38.0%35.0%17.0%27.0%16.5%35.1%7.5%
Oil24.6%10.0%5.0%11.0%4.5%2.9%0.6%
“Other”5.4%6.5%2.4%
Base9.229.229.228.68.68.6
Premium0.841.41.252.5

Sources: