ENERGY COMMISSION

Council Members:
Tupper Brown, 413-863-8243
Claire Chang, 413-863-8952, Chair
Joe Lafleur, 413-863-2501
Ivan Ussach, 413-773-3830
Pam Lester, 413-863-8670
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

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.