| Local Energy Work Group Members | Julia Dundorf, NE Grassroots Environment Fund - Co-Chair
Theresa Swanick, Selectman, Town of Effingham - Co-Chair
Brian Adams,
Integrated Building Energy Associates, LLC
Maura Adams, St. Paul's School & Concord Energy Committee
Barbara Bernstein,
NH Public Utilities Commission
Rep. David Borden,
NH State Representative & New Castle Energy Committee
Karen Cramton,
NH Office of Energy & Planning
Linda Darveau,
US EPA Region 1
Jim Fenn, SAU 88/Lebanon School District
Ben Frost, NH Housing Finance Authority
Rhonda Harmych,
TRC Energy Solutions
Jim Howard,
Retired finance director, City of Concord
Jill Longval,
Nashua Regional Planning Commission
Madeline McElaney, CDFA Better Buildings NH
Chris Skoglund,
NH Department of Environmental Services
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| About the Local Energy Work Group (LEWG) | Our mission is to provide collaborative guidance and technical support to Local Energy Committees & Commissions (LEC's), municipalities, schools, and other political subdivisions* seeking to reduce energy use, minimize energy costs, and/or reduce fossil-fuel consumption. Consider joining our efforts: contact Julia Dundorf for more information on the LEWG's efforts and opportunities for participation.
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New England Grassroots Environment Fund
PO Box 1057
Montpelier, Vermont 05601
802 223 4622 | | The monthly Local Energy Committee E-newsletter of the NH Local Energy Work Group is now being compiled and distributed by the New England Grassroots Environment Fund on behalf of the NH Local Energy Work Group. Thank you to Clean Air-Cool Planet for their dedication to this monthly communication over the past six years. Learn more about NEGEF. |
| | Spotlight: Local Energy Solutions Conference 2013 |  REGISTER NOW! Gov. Hassan to Give Keynote The Fifth Annual Local Energy Solutions Conference (LES) will be held on April 13th at Winnisquam Regional High School in Tilton, NH, organized by the NH Local Energy Work Group. This is New Hampshire's premier conference dedicated to achieving local and municipal energy successes!  - Multi-track sessions, panel discussions and keynote address by Govenor Maggie Hassan.
- Project specific information: new resources and best practices
- Networking opportunities with over 250 participants including local energy committee members, municipal/school staff and board members, businesses, legislators and community volunteers
- Sessions planned and delivered by New England energy leaders
Learn More About the Conference Register Now Questions? Many thanks to our conference sponsors!  |
| Local Energy Solutions Training Series | Read more about the Local Energy Solutions (LES) Training Series or view upcoming webinars and past recorded sessions at nhenergy.org under " Trainings".
Monthly Webinar Series The NH Local Energy Work Group (LEWG) announces the Local Energy Solutions (LES) Training Series featuring a series of webinar trainings from Noon-1PM on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
A Look Behind the Curtain: Energy Policy and Process in the Granite State Wednesday March 13th from Noon-1PM Join the Local Energy Work Group for a session on the State of New Hampshire's current energy initiatives and a review of a recent report by the State's Energy and Sustainable Energy Board containing recommendations to improve the state's energy market. The session will conclude with a tour of the State's online resources that will enable you to research and track energy issues under consideration by the legislature ( nh.gov). |
| Energy Solutions From Around New Hampshire | | Marlborough The Marlborough Energy Committee has gotten weatherization work done on the Marlborough Town Hall this January. Every year a little more gets done to tighten up what used to be an old, leaky house and turn it into a more comfortable, energy-efficient space in which to work. It should also save the town some money in fuel bills. Temple Temple's Energy Committee (TEEC) has begun a short "study circle" program, centered on the readings in the manual, Global Warming Changing Course from the Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI). This will involve four group discussions focused on participants' responses to the provocative and excellent articles within the four separate sections of the manual as well as their processes as they move toward actions based on those responses. Next, the committee will pass the torch to its subcommittee that was formed a year ago to address transition issues, called the Temple Community Collaborative (TCC). They will create another study circle with 7 sessions of discussions to engage townsfolk with the material in the manual, Choices for Sustainable Living, also from NWEI. TCC is also in the process of putting together an extensive Temple Business, Services and Farms Guide, designed to encourage local purchasing and the simple exchange of goods and services. Eventually, an offshoot of this Guide will be a local Time Bank. Alstead The insulation work in the Shedd-Porter Memorial Library is finally done, at a cost of about $37,000, and early measurements suggest the reduction in heating cost will be substantial - about 60% attributable to the insulation itself, and 75% overall including the effects of prior work. The project was based on an audit by Margaret Dillon - although she recommended steps be done more or less as a whole project, we are doing it piecemeal - but the analysis she included in the audit allowed us to predict improvement convincingly enough to persuade the voters to strongly support taxing themselves to get this work done. The contractor was Building Energy Technologies (BET) of Bow. The Library has an "original attic" above ceilings and below the original roof, and a "new attic" between the top of the original roof and a newer roof. BET sealed the original roof with two-part foam and added about 18" of cellulose, and sealed and insulated the walls of the "original attic" with the same foam. Chimneys were insulated with rock wool, and intumescent paint applied over any public-accessible foamed walls. Our estimate of improvement was calculated from measurements. Using an inexpensive HOBO monitor from Onset Computing, we measured what percentage of time the oil burner was running (as a surrogate for oil consumption), and compared a recent week's worth with a week two years ago with a similar heating degree-days profile. Besides reduced cost to heat the library, we now have much more comfortable public spaces (warm ceilings and reduced drafts, we assume) and a lot more frost on the very cold windows, which is in accord with Margaret Dillon's predictions. We may have to introduce fresh air into the space, aiming to drive "old" stale humid air up the boiler's flue and/or out the leaky windows. We plan to try it, for maybe $200, by means of a small fresh air duct into the return side of an air handler. HAREI - A New Local Energy Initiative MEMBERSHIP IS FREE in HAREI, the Hillsborough County Area Renewable Energy Initiative. HAREI is an all-volunteer organization for the residents of Hillsborough County. Members will include local residents, businesses, and contractors. Through a series of events known as "energy raisers" and "energy exchanges", members will save on materials and labor when installing solar hot water and solar electric (PV-photovoltaic) systems on designated sites. The sites will mostly be residences, but some installations could go up on businesses, as well.
"Energy Raisers" are based the concept of barn raisers, of old. Members volunteer time and talent for each project, "paying it forward" to the time when it becomes their turn. The principal then becomes the project manager for his/her home or business.
"Energy Exchanges" are a series of pot-luck dinners. Members bring their best dish, and their own plates, cups, and silverware. Carry-In/Carry-Out results in a "Zero-Waste" event. The Energy Exchange also provides a venue for educational speakers and local experts.
Membership is free. Friends are made. Community is built. Join us!
For more information, contact Phil Richard at gundoc-nh@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.hillsboroughenergy.org
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| Upcoming Events | |
Way Forward Climate Solutions Conference Monday, February 25, 9:00-11:30 AM Holiday Inn, 172 N. Main St, Concord, NH Hear from leading experts on the varying approaches to carbon pollution reduction in China, India, Germany, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. states. There will be plenty of time of audience Q&A and discussion. More Info Button Up New Hampshire Workshop Series
Feb 16 @ 2:00pm; Greater Nashua Home Show; Radisson Hotel Nashua, (11 Tara Boulevard) Nashua NH. Mar 7 @ 6:30pm - to 8:00pm; Pease Public Library (1 Russell Street) Plymouth NH Apr 4 @ 6:30pm - to 8:00pm; Pease Public Library (1 Russell Street) Plymouth NH Monadnock
The Weatherization Program of MERI (the Monadnock Energy Resources Initiative) is sponsoring and coordinating the following events for February and March:
Feb 9 Andy Duncan will lead a "clinic" in the safe use of home weatherization products and equipment for do-it-yourselfers at Belletete's Hardware Store in Jaffrey. MERI will provide refreshments and have energy-saving hand-outs to distribute. Feb 16 Ted Stiles, BPI Certified Energy Auditor and member of MERI's Steering Committee, will conduct a professional grade energy audit for the Grapevine Community Service Center in Antrim, as an educational event for observers as well as for its recommendations for future weatherization and retrofitting projects. March 10 Andy Duncan will lead a group of MERI volunteers plus friends and neighbors of the homeowners in a full day, advanced, hands-on weatherization training at a home in Keene. March 23 Andy Duncan will lead a group of MERI volunteers plus volunteers from the Antrim/Bennington/Hancock communities in a full-day hands-on weatherization training for "the Grapevine", following recommendations from Ted Stiles' energy audit on Feb 16. MERI's Solar Program is lining up actively interested homeowners for their site visits and solar pathfinder evaluations, prior to setting up their solar hot water installations for when the weather is appropriate in the upcoming months. |
| Special Announcements | | Energy Policy Recommendations New Hampshire's Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy (EESE) Board, in its Final Report and recommendations on the Independent Energy Study, released December 1, 2012, is calling for a comprehensive energy policy for the state that highlights the critical role of energy efficiency and local renewable resources in the state's energy future. The Report details the most important steps that state can and should take to implement policies and enhance programs that will contribute to economic development, increased resilience and security of energy supply and a cleaner environment. A copy of the Final Report as well as additional background material, is available on the EESE Board website. |
| Resources & Tools | This unique application and resource tool, developed by Local Energy Work Group specifically for Local Energy Committees and other municipal staff and volunteers, provides monthly advice, guidance and key dates for LECs to consider when bringing an energy project to Town Meeting. Download FREE at nhenergy.org . |
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