BOSTON – “What does it mean to be green? This Earth Day, one answer can be found in the more than 100 communities that have committed to curb energy use, cut greenhouse gas emissions and save money through EPA New England’s Community Energy Challenge,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
One hundred and ten communities in six states – including nine in Rhode Island and Bristol County – have now pledged to save money, curb energy use by 10 percent or more, cut greenhouse gas emissions and expand renewable-energy options through the EPA’s New England Community Energy Challenge.
“There is a growing energy revolution in New England,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “The 10-percent reduction is only the beginning. In our cities and towns, we see innovation, cutting-edge energy technologies, and more than that, the power of collaboration.”
When Warwick signed on in July, it was the only Energy Challenge participant in Rhode Island and one of only 30 in all of New England. But less than six months later, it was one of six local participants – along with North Providence and the Bristol County communities of Dartmouth, Easton, Mansfield and New Bedford (READ MORE) – and more than 75 across the region.
Now, East Greenwich and South Kingstown have joined Rhode Island’s previous two participants, while Acushnet has joined the four previous participants in Bristol County.
“Improving energy efficiency is the first critical step to reducing greenhouse gas emissions for New England municipalities,” said Kim Lundgren, Northeast regional director for ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. “ICLEI and EPA have been longstanding partners on driving climate-protection initiatives at the local level. EPA New England's Community Energy Challenge is another complementary resource for ICLEI members, enabling local governments to identify opportunities for savings in their existing buildings.”
The New England Community Energy Challenge is part of the Energy Star Challenge, a nationwide campaign to improve energy efficiency in commercial and industrial buildings nationwide by 10 percent or more.
Participants will be using the Energy Star “Portfolio Manager” tool to measure energy use in schools, wastewater facilities and other municipal buildings. They also will have access to a network of resources – thanks to a collaboration between EPA New England and regional utility companies, businesses and nonprofits – to help them improve energy efficiency and take advantage of local renewable-energy resources.
“We are pleased to work with EPA New England and its Community Energy Challenge cities and towns,” said Tim Stout, vice president for energy efficiency at National Grid, an Energy Challenge partner. “Helping municipal facilities reduce energy consumption is an important goal – not just on Earth Day, but every day of the year.”
Additional information about the New England Community Energy Challenge and other regional energy-efficiency programs is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s New England office at epa.gov/region1/eco/energy.
