ENERGY COMMISSION

Council Members:
Claire Chang, 413-863-8952, Chair
Tupper Brown, 413-863-8243
Ivan Ussach, 413-773-3830
Pam Lester, 413-863-4125
Janet Masucci, 413-863-8694
Mailing Address: 325 Main Road, Gill, MA 01354-9758

Meeting schedule: The Commission meets on an as needed basis. Please contact the Chair to determine the meeting time and to be included on the agenda

New Tips on Saving Money

Courtesy of the Greening Greenfield Campaign, CLICK HERE for a brochure that describes ways to find the financial assistance that you need to make your home more energy smart. (Note: Some of the programs described on the brochure are available only to Greenfield residents.)

New informational handout from the Gill Energy Commission on ways to save money on energy upgrades! Click here.

Learn to Make Insulating Window Inserts
Here's the link to the North Quabbin Energy website that explains how to make your own winserts - the same way we were taught at our workshop on February 26th. "Winserts" are reusable transparent panels that fit snugly inside window jambs to add two extra layers of glazing. A properly-constructed winsert will reduce heat loss from a typical single- or double-glazed window by up to 50%, thus more than paying for the cost of the winserts in less than one year. Click here (opens new browser window).

Green Communities Action Plan
The Green Communities Action Plan was developed in the Spring of 2010 by the Energy Commission with considerable assistance from the FRCOG. If Gill meets the five criteria for being designated as a Green Community, the Town would be eligible to apply for energy-related grants available from the Mass. Department of Energy Resources. The pot of money for grants awarded in FY 2010 was approximately $10 million. The five criteria are: As of Right Siting, Expedited Permitting, Baseline Reduction of Municipal Energy Use by 20%, Purchase of Energy Efficient Vehicles and/or other green transportation initiatives, and Adoption of the Stretch Building Code. This plan was endorsed by the Selectboard at their June 7, 2010 meeting.

MassSAVE Energy Audit Offers New Services
MassSAVE, the utility-funded no-cost home energy audit program, has just added FREE air sealing to their services. Air sealing (sealing unnecessary air leaks in attics and basements) is often the most effective measure in terms of improving a home's energy efficiency. In an older home, all the small leaks can be equivalent to having a window wide open all winter long. It is also a measure that can be suitable for homeowners who have knob & tube wiring -- a major roadblock to adding insulation.

The free air sealing is offered in addition to: $2,000 savings already available for attic, wall and basement insulation; and 0% interest loan up to $15,000 for insulation, high-efficiency heating systems, windows and solar hot water systems. Call MassSAVE at 1-866-527-7283 to schedule a no-cost home energy audit.

Energy Commission Meeting Minutes

Minutes

2010 December: 15th

2010 November: 17th

2010 October: 27th

2010 September: 15th

2010 August: 19th

2010 June: 7th, 15th

2010 May: 17th

2010 April: 20th

2010 March: 17th

2010 February: 4th

2010 January: 7th