Brattleboro - The newly formed Brattleboro Energy Committee is developing a strategy to significantly reduce the town’s carbon footprint and its dependence on fossil fuel.
At the same time, the committee wants to help residents, businesses and the town government to reduce their energy bills.
The committee has a particular interest in improving energy efficiency in homes and businesses, said Lester Humphreys, chairman of the energy committee.
"Brattleboro has a lot of old, leaky buildings, and there are a lot of opportunities to save energy and money," he said.
Paul Cameron, director of Brattleboro Climate Protection, who serves as the town’s liaison to the committee, said the committee will participate in the Vermont Community Energy Mobilization project, where teams of community volunteers are trained to perform free energy consultations in area homes.
The seven-member committee, made up of Brattleboro residents, was appointed by the Selectboard last June. It has been meeting monthly since its inception.
"This is a great group to work with," said Cameron.
He said the committee is a natural outgrowth of the town’s existing climate and energy program, which dates to 2002.
The Selectboard approved a Climate Action Plan in 2003, and a number of the plan’s measures have been implemented, such as an energy-efficiency upgrade of municipal and school buildings, a no-idling campaign and annual workshops on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
However, said Cameron, this is the first time Brattleboro has had an official energy committee, joining nearly 80 others across Vermont.
"The rapid growth in energy committees reflects the concern that Vermonters have about unstable and rising energy prices, as well as climate change," he said.
The Brattleboro Energy Committee’s mission is to provide ways for residents, businesses and the town government to reduce energy consumption and costs through conservation, increased energy efficiency and conversion to renewable energy sources.
The goals of the committee are to:
-- Improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings and homes by encouraging upgrades in lighting, heating systems, motors, and weatherization.
-- Reduce fossil fuel use in motor vehicles and lawn equipment by promoting the use of alternative fuels, carpooling, reduced idling, expanded mass transit and smart-growth practices.
-- Promote the use of renewable energy sources such as biomass and solar to generate electricity and heat.
-- Provide information to the public about sustainable technologies and practices.
-- Collaborate with energy organizations in other towns to share information, strategies and best practices.
The committee assists the Town Energy Coordinator in planning and carrying out projects to advance these goals and serves as a resource to the town on energy-related issues.
During the coming year, the committee will provide input into the revision of the current Town Plan and explore the potential for solar energy in town, among other projects.
The town’s energy committee is part of the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network, said Cameron, which just had its annual meeting with 250 attendees. VCAN’s members share information and ideas and help towns get their own committees up and running, he said.
"They don’t have to start from scratch," said Cameron. "They can learn from each other. VCAN’s goal is to have an energy committee in every town."
For more information on the energy committee, Brattleboro Climate Protection or how to get involved in the energy audits, visit
www.brattleboroclimateprotection.org.
Copyright ©2009 Medianewsgroup.
