Electricity is the highest bill in school systems after personnel.

Fixed costs like electricity, water and fuel oil are budget unfriendly for fiscally strapped towns and cities. Reducing energy usage is part of the fiscal management for municipalities. Many towns have committed to reducing   energy consumption by 20% in coming years. Sadly too few have signed up for the challenge.

These cities and towns can save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing energy consumption in public buildings, fire stations, schools, and wastewater treatment facilities if they only chose to make a concerted effort.

What is the Community Energy Challenge?

The Community Energy Challenge is chance for municipalities to identify any cost-effective measures that increase resource efficiency and renewable energy use while reducing air pollution, waste and conserving water and money.

The Price of Water

Long ago it was written that water will be the earth’s most valuable resource, and it is coming true. One small town in MA has had it water company propose a 61% increase in water for the next year. The town of Northbridge has challenged the company if this is legal and ethical.

Examples of some of the New England Communities that have made the commitment:

Milford, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, Mansfield, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medford, Melrose, Milton, Needham, Waltham, Warwick, Westwood, Woburn

Yet far too few communities are taking the challenge. The reasons are varied, ignorance, no dedicated resources with the knowledge, ineffective programs, Green Committees with no authority or budget, little knowledge about green energy planners in the community.

New England has higher cost Electricity production resulting in higher cost to customers:

New England gets its electricity from a variety of sources including coal, nuclear, natural gas and oil. Given the predominance of natural gas as a fuel, New England’s electricity supply is one of the nations cleanest. However, this dependence has resulted in higher-than-average electricity prices. And there are still far too many dirty coal electric suppliers who will be taxed under Obama’s cap and trade program, driving the cost even higher to suppliers.

What should communities do?

Obviously use energy more efficiently, there are a number of resources including your local electric light company and energy audits that can help you do that.

In Massachusetts, electricity consumers have alternatives about where their power comes from.  Consumers can choose a source that guarantees that their electricity comes from only renewable resources such as wind and solar, although that comes as a cost to the consumer given these recessionary times may be a tough sell.

The best advice for communities is to hire an energy consultant or planner to accomplish their goals.

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