Swampscott Chosen For Clean Energy Program

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Communities Division announce that the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in partnership with Hamilton, Wenham, Salem and Swampscott, were among 16 municipal governments and three regional planning authorities selected to participate in a $500,000 pilot program to help local communities identify energy efficiency, renewable energy and other clean energy strategies to meet local energy needs.

The Community Energy Strategies Pilot Program will help MAPC and the four communities identify, prioritize, and pursue a range of clean energy strategies and incentives that are best suited to address the local interests, needs, resources and opportunities in the North Shore region.

Potential energy projects could range from high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment installations and insulation in municipal buildings to wind turbines and solar electricity systems.

“Cutting energy use will help all four communities, as well as their residents and businesses, to save money. And it’s the right thing to do for the planet and the region,” said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). “We’re excited to get going on this important work.”

“We look forward to working with these communities as they work to expand their clean energy portfolio and reduce their environmental impacts,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia.

“Swampscott is very excited about its recent selection as part of the MAPC application to this pilot program. The town has been working on a number of ways to help us reduce our energy needs both at the municipal level as well as for our residents,” said Swampscott Town Administrator Thomas Younger. “This new pilot program will help us evaluate and find clean energy options to further reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. It’s also an excellent opportunity for collaboration with our neighboring communities of Hamilton, Salem and Wenham.”

“Hamilton is pleased to have the opportunity to work collaboratively with MassCEC, Green Communities and neighboring municipalities on conserving energy and developing clean energy,” said Michael Lombardo, Hamilton Town Manager.

“Each community is unique. Renewable energy projects that work for one community may not work for another, and this program will help these communities find the best projects to fit their cities and towns,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton.

Additional participants in the pilot program include:

• ·         Northampton
• ·         Watertown
• ·         Newburyport
• ·         Franklin Regional Council of Governments (Greenfield, Montague, Buckland and Shelburne)
• ·         Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (Amherst, Hadley, Holyoke, Easthampton, East Longmeadow)

For more information:

Contact the Erin Brandt, MAPC Energy planner, at 352-870-9441 orebrandt@mapc.org.