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Does New England Need New Natural Gas Pipelines?

Evaluating Alternatives to Meet Our Energy Needs

Boston, MA – As New England states consider unprecedented, expensive public investments in natural gas pipelines, ENE today released an assessment of alternatives that could meet our energy needs at lower risk to consumers and the climate.

ENE’s Assessment describes how a combination of resources could reduce natural gas demand across the energy system, thus reducing or potentially avoiding the need for new pipelines beyond expansions due to come online by 2016.

“Before states ask consumers to pay for this high-stakes wager on expensive fossil-fuel infrastructure, the public needs to have the confidence that realistic and potentially lower cost and cleaner alternatives have been fully evaluated,” said Daniel Sosland, President of ENE. “An array of effective energy options is available in the market that can help increase energy reliability and address upward price pressures. Fast tracking only one option risks imposing unnecessary and long term costs on consumers. ENE offers this assessment to spur more transparent public discussion and debate on utilizing all available options to meet our energy needs.”

Despite finding that low natural gas demand could avoid the need for new energy infrastructure, states have yet to evaluate fully and transparently the cost of utilizing an array of energy resources that could achieve low natural gas demand and ensure that our future energy needs will be met.

ENE’s assessment shows that a combination of resources—including combined heat and power (CHP), energy efficiency (for natural gas and electric consumers), renewable energy, energy storage, and electric transmission—can reduce gas demand by more than the capacity of the proposed pipeline.

“The best way to meet our energy needs will likely be a ‘many of the above’ solution, one that includes a mix of both infrastructure and non-infrastructure approaches,” said Jamie Howland, Director of the ENE-CLEAN Center. “This type of multi-resource optimization has not been performed in the studies we have reviewed.  It is difficult to believe that multibillion dollar investment decisions with ratepayer dollars would be made without first analyzing all available solutions in an interactive manner.”

New pipelines would take years to complete, and would take even longer to pay off. Consumers would be on the hook to pay for pipelines even if they become uneconomic due to higher natural gas prices, broader constraints on GHG emissions, or declining costs of alternative energy resources. In contrast, many demand-side resources can be utilized in the near-term to alleviate winter price volatility, while also producing consumer and system-wide benefits—regardless of the price of natural gas.

“Innovation and competition are driving rapid progress in the energy sector toward distributed resources, customer control, and clean energy,” said Peter Shattuck, Director of Market Initiatives at ENE. “Decisions made today need to account for these trends and seek lowest cost options that are consistent with climate objectives.”

“The Northeast has an opportunity now to make smart decisions about energy, with the best interests of consumers and the public in mind,” Sosland said. “ENE’s assessment raises important questions that need to be answered about which energy sources will secure a clean, affordable energy future for everyone.”

ENE’s Pipeline Alternatives Assessment: Energy Resources to Meet New England’s Winter Needs, can be found at: http://www.env-ne.org/resources/detail/pipeline-alternatives-assessment 

ENE is a non-profit organization that researches and advocates innovative policies that tackle our environmental challenges while promoting sustainable economies. ENE is at the forefront of state and regional efforts to combat global warming with solutions that promote clean energy, clean air and healthy forests.

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THE TENNESSEE GAS PIPELINE CO., NORTHEAST EXPANSION PROJECT Town of Richmond Board Meeting

Board of Selectmen Host:
Kinder Morgan Representatives (parent company to Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company), Berkshire Environmental Action Team, NoFrackedGasInMass organizers

TOPIC: THE TENNESSEE GAS PIPELINE CO., NORTHEAST EXPANSION PROJECT

Purpose: Learn about how the proposed pipeline would affect Richmond and its residents from both sides of the issue through structured presentations and monitored question and answer segments.

DATE: June 4, 2014, Wednesday
PLACE: Richmond Consolidated School, Route 41, Richmond, Mass. 01254
TIME: 7 PM
ALL WELCOME

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A Climate Change Success Story: RGGI Provides a Model Pathway for Nationwide Progress

As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepares to release draft regulations for greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector on June 2nd, ENE today released a report describing how the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) provides a proven, effective model for reducing power plant emissions.

ENE’s report, The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Performance To-Date and the Path Ahead, finds that emissions of CO2 and other pollutants have dropped rapidly since RGGI launched, and the program has generated significant economic benefits in participating states. The 29% decline in CO2 emissions has been accompanied by an 8% drop in electricity prices across the region.  These trends are principally due to increased generation from inexpensive natural gas, decreased generation from carbon-intensive coal and oil plants, and investments in renewables and energy efficiency.  To varying degrees these trends are mirrored across the country, indicating that emissions can be reduced at lower costs than often assumed.

“RGGI has demonstrated the effectiveness of a regional, market-based approach to reducing carbon pollution, providing a model, cost-effective mechanism to meet federal requirements,” said Peter Shattuck, Director of Market Initiatives at ENE and lead author of the report.

Since RGGI went into effect, member states have been able to reduce emissions faster than the rest of the country, while outpacing economic growth outside the region.  As states consider options to comply EPA regulations, RGGI’s market-based flexibility and state control over revenue allocation will likely increase interest in joining or replicating the program in other states.  RGGI itself may require modest revisions to gain EPA approval, but the program is well positioned to serve as a model compliance tool.

“From weatherization programs that help Mainers save on heating costs to multi-family building retrofits in Maryland, RGGI can be adapted to meet unique local needs,” said ENE President, Daniel Sosland.  “As climate change impacts continue to mount, RGGI shows a means of addressing the problem while promoting complementary consumer and clean energy goals.”

Summary of ENE Report Findings:  

  • 2013 emissions of 86,568,410 tons of CO2 fell 4.9% below the new RGGI cap.
  • Hazardous criteria emissions (SOx, NOx, and Hg) from power plants in the RGGI program have dropped even more than CO2 emissions, and will continue to fall through 2020.
  • Electricity prices across the region have decreased by 8% on average since RGGI took effect.
  • Electric sector trends responsible for low emissions – including increasing natural gas and renewable generation, growing investments in energy efficiency, and decoupling of economic growth and emissions – show no signs of reversing.
  • Similar trends are likely to cause emissions to decline across the country.
  • RGGI is a cost-effective mechanism for states to comply with EPA’s Carbon Pollution Standards, though minor program modifications could be required.

See the full report The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Performance To-Date and the Path Ahead, at
http://www.env-ne.org/resources/detail/rggi-performance-to-date-and-path-ahead

Additional ENE background documents on RGGI at: http://www.env-ne.org/programs/detail/regional-greenhouse-gas-initiative

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e-Lab Accelerator: A Boot Camp for Electricity Innovation

One of Rocky Mountain Institute’s four bold new goals is to ensure that by 2025 we are one-third of the way toward an electricity system powered predominantly by efficiency and renewables, cutting U.S. electricity use by 18 percent and nearly doubling renewables’ share of generation from 16 to 30 percent compared to business as usual.

Last month, RMI’s Electricity Innovation Lab (e-Lab) convened more than 100 leaders for e-Lab Accelerator: A Boot Camp for Electricity Innovation. Teams from across the United States—communities and collaborators large and small—rolled up their sleeves, supported by e-Lab’s core team and a group of expert faculty, to make rapid and targeted progress on changing the energy landscape in their communities. These electricity system “SWAT teams” are crucial, because each member represents different interests, and no single person or industry group can control the outcome. They must work together to effect change.

E-Lab has rapidly gained international recognition as a source of insight and innovation and as a catalyst for change within the electricity industry.

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Co-op Power Updates and Job Openings

Here’s an update on jobs openings, energy efficiency, bioheat, community solar, grants, Co-op Power events and other great regional events that are coming up in the next couple months.
I hope to hear from you sometime soon.
Lynn

JOB OPENINGS AT CO-OP POWER
We’re hiring for a senior management position at Co-op Power – Finance and Administration Manager. Please help us recruit for this important position. They’ll oversee a staff of 3-4 to provide financial and administrative support for our products and services, membership programs, member loan program, and business development efforts. If you have, or if you know of someone with lots of experience in this arena, please contact me at lynn@cooppower.coop. Members have preference in the hiring process at Co-op Power.
We’re also hiring now for Energy Auditors in Boston and W Mass and interns to help launch Northeast Biodiesel, our buying groups, and recycled cooking oil collection in Greenfield.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND BIOHEAT PARTNERSHIP WITH CERNAK OIL … AND A HEATING OIL COMPANY NEAR YOU?
Cernak Oil in Easthampton MA is sending their customers to us for energy efficiency audits. (Thank you, Rick and Leslie!) They are also getting ready to offer B20 bioheat to our customers for a nickel more than their cost of heating oil. Contact lynn@cooppower.coop if you’re interested in more information. Encourage your local heating oil company to partner with Co-op Power – sending their customers for energy efficiency audits and partnering with Co-op Power to get B20 blend (20% biodiesel in your heating oil)

COMMUNITY SHARED SOLAR
Co-op Power has developed a comprehensive set of services to help communities build solar arrays that approx. 20 to 200 people can share. We’re now taking applications from its Local Organizing Councils for proposals for a community shared solar projects in their regions. If you’re interested, contact lynn@cooppower.coop for the application.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL ORGANIZING COUNCILS in MASS. TO BUILD RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Here’s a grant program you might want to discuss at your next Local Organizing Council meeting. It’s a great opportunity for building renewable energy systems in your community. The Mass DOER is offering Community Clean Energy Resiliency Initiative (“Resiliency Initiative”) grants and technical assistance. The $40 million grant program is focused on municipal resilience, using clean energy solutions to protect communities from interruptions in energy services due to severe climate events made worse by the effects of climate change. Municipalities and regional public entities (planning agencies, school districts, water districts, etc.) can apply for either technical assistance or project implementation in the first round, depending on what best suits their needs. Those awarded technical assistance can then pursue project implementation funding in the second round. The final deadline is July 15, 2014. Click here for more information: http://www.mass.gov/eea/energy-utilities-clean-tech/renewable-energy/resiliency-initiative.html

UPCOMING LOCAL ORGANIZING COUNCIL MEETINGS

The Boston Metro East Local Organizing Council (region within Route 128) meets on the second Mondays of each month. Contact olive@cooppower.coop for more info.

The Franklin County Local Organizing Council (County including Greenfield) meets on the third Thursday of each month. Contact beth.paulson.88@gmail.com for more info.

The Hampshire County Local Organizing Council (County including Northampton/Amherst) will meet June 3 at 7pm. Contact Tim Holcomb <tim@cooppower.coop> for more info.

The Hampden County Local Organizing Council (County including Springfield/Holyoke) is building its steering committee. Contact Diego Angarita <diego@cooppower.coop for more info>.

For Blackstone Valley Local Organizing Council (Counties including Worcester & Providence), contact Judy Diamondstone <jvdiamondstone@gmail.com>.

For Co-op Power of Southern Vermont, contact Karen Saunders <karenfransdottir@gmail.com>.

UPCOMING CO-OP POWER EVENTS

REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT is coming up Sept 13th at Holyoke Heritage State Park. Let Diego know (diego@cooppower.coop) if you’d like to offer a workshop, help organize the workshops or plenary sessions, help with the exhibit hall, book table, children’s program, food, or zero waste program. You can register online www.cooppower.coop. To register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-co-op-power-sustainability-summit-exhibit-and-sponsor-tickets-11407751893

SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM INSTALLATION TRAININGS Wednesday July 23rd from 9 am to 4 pm at Stiebel Eltron in Hatfield. A hands-on installation training opportunity with simultaneous tracks for homeowners, people interested in getting a job on an installation team, solar installers, and plumbers. Co-op Power offers this great training quarterly in partnership with Stiebel Eltron. Here’s what participants report: “All the instructors were enthusiastic and knowledgeable!” “Very informative training.” “I can’t wait to become a member of Co-op Power.” To register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/co-op-power-stiebel-eltron-solar-hot-water-training-tickets-11161314793

BIODIESEL PLANT CELEBRATION PARTY
We have a big event coming up, and we’ll have little advance notice, but we’re hoping you’ll drop everything and come to celebrate with us. Please be watching for the event we’ve been working toward for ten years. We do hope many of you will be able to come and be there as everything falls in place to allow us to launch our 1.75 million gallon a year biodiesel plant. Contact lynn@cooppower.coop if you have any part-organizing energy to contribute or if you’re interested in a position at the plant!

OTHER GREAT REGIONAL EVENTS

Greenovate Boston, May 31 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Joseph Martin Conference Center with Co-op Power Member, Cynthia Loesch, as their keynote speaker. http://greenovateboston.org/

CommonBound, June 6-8 at Northeast University. http://neweconomy.net/

Slow Living Summit, Strolling of the Heiffers, June 6-8 in Brattleboro VT, www.strollingoftheheifers.com

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Williamstown Rural Lands to Hold Children’s Summer Outdoor Nature Programs

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is offering week-long, half-day summer outdoor nature programs for children at its Sheep Hill headquarters on Cold Spring Road (Route 7) in Williamstown.

Environmental educator and Science Enrichment Specialist Kathy Chesney and outdoorsman Art Evans return to Sheep Hill in Williamstown to lead programs designed to engage children in nature and artistically express its wildness. Kathy and Art both have a variety of experience in teaching and in running summer outdoor programs.

Summer begins on Monday June 30 from 10-11:30 AM with Parent and Preschooler Nature Exploration with Kathy Chesney, Leslie Reed-Evans and staff.  The program will include gentle nature exploration through discovery walks, outdoor play, craft activities and stories to engage children in nature.  The program runs every day through July 3rd.

Week-long science and nature programs with Kathy Chesney will start on Monday July 7 with Habitat Exploration for 5-7 year olds from 9 AM – 1 PM. Each day will introduce a nature topic featuring the pond, meadow, stream and woodlands, and their swimming, hopping, and flying inhabitants.  Discover and Create for 6-8 year olds will begin Monday July 14, also 9 AM – 1 PM daily.   Functional and imaginative craft projects will use a variety of materials including leather, wool, and clay dug from the stream.

Beginning August 4, the three-day, all-day Building for Nature workshop for 8-11 year olds will be led by outdoor educator Art Evans. In this year’s workshop we will build imaginative bird houses and insect pollinator habitats to take home and to install at Sheep Hill.  This program will combine building with ecology and bird and insect identification.

WRLF Executive Director Leslie Reed-Evans states “Kathy and Art bring to Sheep Hill the enthusiasm and experience needed to connect children to the wonders of the natural world, and inspire their curiosity and creativity.  We are very excited to welcome them back to Sheep Hill.”

Beginning in July, summer naturalist and interpreter Maria Dunlavey will be offering drop-in nature programs for children and adults on Saturday mornings at Sheep Hill.

Pre-registration is required for all summer programs. Space is limited. For more information on fees or for registration forms contact the WRLF at ruraland@wrlf.org, or 413-458-2494.  Information is also available on the WRLF website, at www.wrlf.org.

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is a non-profit, member-supported land conservation trust committed to preserving the rural New England character of Williamstown and the surrounding area.  Sheep Hill is a conservation property and the WRLF headquarters, and is located on Route 7, about 1 mile south of the rotary in Williamstown center. 

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2014 Forest Conservation Corps

Grafton – Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering our 2nd annual Forest Conservation Corps (FCC). This work-learning program is for teens between the ages of 14-16 and runs from July 21-25 or July 28- August 1 from 9am – 3:30pm. FCC works on valuable conservation projects while developing personal values and responsibilities that can enhance a teen’s education, leadership and future job opportunities. Students will clear trails, work on conservation projects, assist in citizen science projects, learn survival skills and boat on Dyken Pond. FCC is free and students who complete a session will receive a $50 award. The application can be found on our website at www.dykenpond.org. If you have any questions please e-mail us at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or call 658-2055. The FCC is co-sponsored by the Friends of Dyken Pond Center. A complete list of programs can also be found on our website.

Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent each day from 9am until 3pm. Call for more information and a complete schedule of our summer events.

 

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