Recent Energy News

In August 2009, the Town of Hamilton submitted an application to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to receive a technical assistanct grant to become a Green Community. Doing what it takes to become a Green Community will provide Hamilton with both economic and environmental benefits:

• The requirement for a baseline energy inventory and plan for reducing energy consumption can lead to reduced energy bills.
• All of the qualification criteria involve measures that lead to a community reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, through using less energy. If a community provides as-of-right siting for renewable energy generation, this can lead to the energy that you do consume being greener.
• Exploring the as-of-right requirement through Renewable/Alternative energy R&D or manufacturing facilities, could lead to drawing new businesses to the community, businesses that are up and coming and leading to a more sustainable society.
• Becoming a Green Community will show Hamilton's commitment to be a sustainability leader in MA.
• Hamilton will become eligable for grants to help you our community profile even greener with energy efficiency or renewable energy related initiatives, helping us meet our fossil fuel reduction goals.

Energy Audits

The Energy-Efficiency subcommitte worked with National Grid on an energy audit of the high school and middle school facility.  The team including students and consultants with National Grid walked through the buildings in January 2008, and National Grid presented the final report in May. The report provides technical analysis and detail that suggests there are a number of ways in which to reduce energy use.  The good news is that National Grid may help fund some of these improvements.  To read the report go to this link:

Hamilton School Opp Screening Report 05-08-08 RA.pdf

Kim Nolan, a member of Hamilton-Wenham GREEN and a reporter for the Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle attended the National Grid presentation.  You can read her article in the Chronicle, page 1, May 22, 2008 and at:  http://www.wickedlocal.com/hamilton/archive/x2118743968/Energy-action-plan-for-schools

Please contact Dave Carey at dcarey6@comcast.net for more information.