MassCEC's HeatSmart Mass Program Overview - via webinar Aug 1

Access webinar recording and slides

HeatSmart Mass Technology and Program Overview Webinar MassCEC is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, August 1st 3:30 - 5:00 PM, to provide an overview of the HeatSmart-eligible heating technologies and the HeatSmart Mass program, as well as to answer questions about the recent HeatSmart RFP. HeatSmart Mass is a community-based outreach and education program that encourages the adoption of clean heating and cooling technologies, including air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps, modern wood heat, and solar hot water. Webinar Details: When: August 1, 2018, 3:30 - 5:00 PM Presenters: Josh Kessler, Lisa Dobbs, and Jonah Ury from MassCEC All inquiries related to HeatSmart Mass should be submitted by email to HeatSmartMass@masscec.com. Best, The HeatSmart Mass Team  Click here to register for the webinar https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4302753329880930050?mc_cid=648460a536&mc_eid=952cc7b7a1 Massachusetts Clean Energy Center   Grow the state's clean energy industry while helping to meet the Commonwealth's clean energy and climate goals. Copyright © 2018 Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 63 Franklin Street, 3rd Floor Boston, MA 02110 Phone: 617-315-9300 Fax: 617-315-9356

"now we qualify for grants for up to $250,000 a year"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Saving the world, one light bulb at a time, are the newest communities that were welcomed as Massachusetts Green Communities on Thursday at the Franklin municipal building. 

Judith Judson, commissioner of the state Department of Energy Resources, said 210 towns and cities in Massachusetts are now considered “Green Communities.” They encompass more than 72 percent of the state’s population. 

“It’s providing a lot of benefits for our commonwealth,” she said. “It enables energy savings for the cities and towns that become Green Communities, and we provide grant funding in order to make energy improvements.” 

These efforts, she said, are visible to residents who see reductions in their towns’ energy use, emissions and their associated costs. The money saved, she said, might find its way into the schools or into public safety, strengthening those services."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180608/franklin-named-green-community

Many Thanks to MassDOER Commissioner Judith Judson for coming to Franklin today to officially declare Franklin A “Green Community” and give us our grant award! A huge thank you to our Town staff for a great job well done!

2018 Woodstove Change Out - Rebates Available

It's back! Change out your wood-stove now!

Dear Friend of MassCEC,      The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), in coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, is excited to announce the launch of the 2018 Wood Stove Change-Out Program! Any Massachusetts resident or business currently operating a non-EPA-certified wood stove or fireplace insert is eligible for a rebate of up to $1,750 when replacing an existing stove with an eligible model. Those that meet certain income requirements are eligible for rebates of up to $3,250. If you own an old wood stove and would like to replace it with a new, low-emission EPA-certified wood or pellet stove, visit MassCEC's website to find out more. You will need to contact a local stove professional who will confirm that your old stove is eligible and submit a rebate application on your behalf after installing your new stove. Act now to make sure you don't miss the August 28th application deadline! Thank you for your interest in the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program. Warm Regards,   The MassCEC Woodstove Team Phone:  617-315-9300 | Email: woodstoves@masscec.com Click here to find a local stove professional! Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn YouTube Flickr Massachusetts Clean Energy Center   Grow the state's clean energy industry while helping to meet the Commonwealth's clean energy and climate goals. Copyright © 2017 Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 63 Franklin Street, 3rd Floor Boston, MA 02110 Phone: 617-315-9300 Fax: 617-315-9356

“Is the fuel delivery infrastructure as constrained as it may appear or not? Prices may suggest it’s not.”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"New England has undergone a profound shift in how it produces electricity over the past decade and a half, phasing out coal and oil plants while becoming more reliant on natural gas. 

Following passage of a state energy law this summer, Massachusetts will see wind, solar and imported hydropower become increasingly important sources of energy in the coming years, but many in the energy industry expect natural gas to remain a crucial resource for the foreseeable future. 

“We’re not going to likely see any new coal built in the region,” said Anne George, vice president of external affairs and corporate communications for grid operator ISO New England. “Oil is very limited in this region … There’s unlikely to be any new nuclear in the region. So you’re left with natural gas, and we do see the increasing desire to develop renewables.” 

Back in 2000, just 15 percent of New England’s power was produced by burning natural gas. Last year, natural gas accounted for 49 percent of all electricity generated in the region."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161205/energy-landscape-undergoes-major-changes

About us page for ISO New England

ISO New England - screen grab of real time chart showing fuel mix (non-renewables)

ISO New England - screen grab of real time chart showing fuel mix (renewables)

Download these brief explanation documents from ISO New England:

• A summary of power grid facts and figures (PDF)
• An overview of the region’s wholesale electricity marketplace (PDF)
• A rundown of ISO New England’s latest high-tech initiatives (PDF)
• 
  

"We're in control of the situation"

"The town has gone out to bid for energy suppliers, looking to put into motion a plan that could save money for local electricity customers. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the state Department of Public Utilities has approved Franklin's municipal aggregation plan, which has the town seeking alternative suppliers and, hopefully, lower rates for its residents. He said the bidding process began on Oct. 7, and the town hopes to have preliminary pricing within the next few days. 

"(This) week is where the rubber meets the road," he said. "We'll see if there are savings, and what the savings might be."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161016/franklin-goes-out-to-bid-for-power

• Related posts

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/municipal-aggregation-program.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/in-news-national-grid-gets-rate-increase.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/03/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

cover page of presentation to Town Council on Aggregation Program

Comment Concerning the Danger of adding the Proposed Spectra Energy Natural Gas Pipeline

Comment Concerning the Danger of adding the Proposed Spectra Energy Natural Gas Pipeline, Delivered at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Scoping Meeting, May 18, 2016, Milford, MA. 

If this meeting were happening in 1963 when the current old bare steel pipeline was installed who would be here? Perhaps a few farmers looking for compensation or expressing concerns about the impact on their livelihood. That was then and now is now. Today these areas are heavily populated and we know much more about the effects of gas leaks. And now Spectra Energy is proposing to build a second high pressure line as close as 20’ from the old one. I contend that this idea is irresponsible given what we know. 

I’m not here tonight to talk about the environmental damage caused by fracking and gas leaks. I’m not here to talk about exporting natural gas and having us pay a tariff to do it. And I’m not here to restate that the Attorney General’s and the Conservation Law Foundation’s reports indicate that there’s no need for another pipeline that would interfere with the goals of the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act. 

I’m here to share the concerns of many residents who worry about the safety of gas pipelines. At a Spectra Energy open house in February I observed aerial pictures of the existing and proposed pipelines. I’ve been to many affected neighborhoods and observed that the current pipeline is roughly within 25’ of some homes and within 50’ of many others. 

Most of these homes were built after the pipeline was installed in 1963, and before people knew the potential dangers caused by leaks. According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the HCAs (High Consequence Areas) are at least a 660’ radius. Hundreds of homes lie within this zone. According to a Spectra employee, the old 24-inch bare steel pipe contains about 700lbs per square inch of pressure and the proposed 30” line can handle up to 1200 lbs. So what could happen? 

Given that a similar old bare steel transmission line exploded on April 29th in Pennsylvania after being inspected two years earlier is very concerning and calls into question Spectra’s ability to assess pipeline safety. Houses were destroyed and a man was badly burned. The preliminary finding was that the leak was caused by corrosion. The inspection didn’t prevent this. 

On January 5th Medway had a serious gas leak where a lateral pipeline crosses Rt. 109. According to the Milford Daily News, six homes were evacuated while the leak was repaired. In addition to the Medway Fire Department, three other fire departments were on hand. Luckily, it didn’t explode. 

According to Heetma.org, Massachusetts has more than 20,000 natural gas leaks, so why pump more gas into a leaky system? It just doesn’t make sense.
In my opinion, the fact that the proposed pipeline could be as close as 20 feet from the existed line would increase the incineration zone exponentially. If one pipeline explodes, the other probably could too. A leak and a spark would be devastating. This could happen anywhere in Massachusetts given the enormous number of ignored leaks. 

According to the US Department of Transportation’s Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration from 1994 through 2013, there were 110 serious incidents with interstate gas transmission pipelines. This resulted in $448,900,333 in property damages, 195 injuries and 41 deaths. 

From 2002 to 2015 there were 589 resolved civil penalty cases totaling $47, 447,675. At this time there are another 637 open cases with proposed penalties of $64,856,000 Given that Massachusetts has over 20,000 natural gas leaks, why would we pump more natural gas into a leaking system? It just doesn’t make sense. 

On November 30, 2015 Steve Aklquist of RI Future.org wrote an article based on an interview with two former safety inspectors who worked for Spectra in nearby Burrillville, Rhode Island. The two safety inspectors were working on a section of Spectra Energy’s AIM pipeline system and stated that the company cut corners when it came to project, worker and environmental safety. 

One inspector was quoted as saying, “Right now, what they’re hoping to do, is they’re hoping to slam all this through, and then at the end ask for forgiveness,” They’ll say, “Oops, sorry about that, I didn’t know, let me write you a check. Because once this thing’s turning meter, they’re going to be making millions of dollars a day. It doesn’t matter what your problems are.” 

According to the article the other inspector added , “These pipes have to last underground for at least 50 years….If there’s the smallest mistake in their cathodic protection, that’s what’s going to corrode. All of a sudden you’ve got, even at 800-900 pounds of pressure, doesn’t sound like much, but when you’ve got a 42-inch pipe, traveling that distance and it goes ka-bang, you’re not talking about taking out a block, you’re talking about taking out a large area. You’re talking about a humongous ecological impact, you’re talking about displacing hundreds of families, you’re talking about leveling homes, killing people instantly, I mean, if one of those places were to go up, it’s going to be a bad day.” End of quote. 

As I said, I’m not here tonight to talk about the environmental damage caused by gas leaks and fracking. Or the fact that both the Attorney General’s and the Conservation Law Foundation’s research indicates that there are better ways to address peak winter days than adding another pipeline. 

I’m here to say that given the track record of pipelines and the extreme pressure and location of the proposed pipeline, we ask that FERC consider the safety of our citizens by rejecting this proposal. Thanks for your time. 

Respectfully submitted by, 

James F. Hill
Franklin, MA 02038

No Spectra sign found on a Franklin lawn

"to design a smart, flexible incentive program that will continue to help advance solar development in our state."

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Vacating a Superior Court judge's ruling, the SJC ruled that Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations do not fulfill the specific requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008. 

The ruling requires the department to promulgate regulations "that address multiple sources of categories of sources of greenhouse gas emissions, impose a limit on emissions that may be released, limit the aggregate emissions released from each group of regulated sources or categories of sources, set emission limits for each year, and set limits that decline on an annual basis." 

"This is a historic day," Jenny Rushlow, the Conservation Law Foundation's lead attorney on the case, said in a statement. "Today our highest court declared clearly and unequivocally that our leaders can no longer sit on their hands while Massachusetts communities are put at risk from the effects of climate change. Thanks to this landmark decision, our role as a national leader in battling climate change has only been stalled but not sacrificed. Now, with action from DEP, we can get back on track and ensure that the health of our families and future generations is always a top priority."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160517/states-top-court-sides-with-environmentalists-in-suit-over-carbon-emissions

Lowell City Council endorses fixing the gas pipeline leaks

One of the key arguments of the anti-Spectra pipeline group is that if the gas companies fixed the leaks in the existing supply lines that would provide about 30% of the supply currently being 'lost'. 

"On Tuesday, the Lowell City Council passed a resolution in support of state legislation to address gas leaks! Gas leaks are costly for consumers and terrible for the climate: leaking gas pipelines emit methane, an extremely powerful greenhouse gas, directly into the atmosphere. 

Lowell's resolution is in support of H. 2870 and H. 2871, new pieces of state legislation that would help reduce gas leaks and ensure that consumers are not charged for leaking gas. Congrats to all the folks in 350 Mass Lowell who worked hard to make this resolution happen!"

Reference to the motion was also reported by Richard Howe

"Joint motion by Mayor Kennedy and Councilor Elliott to support resolution on bill pending in state legislature on natural gas leaks. Registered to speak is State Senator Jamie Eldridge who thanks the council for allowing him to speak. He wants to provide some context to this bill. Says Tom Golden is a strong advocate for this bill. Last session, the legislature took up the issue of the hundreds of thousands of gas leaks in Massachusetts, many of which occur in older cities like Lowell. 

This bill would require utilities to better document these leaks and to develop a plan to remedy them. Portions of the bill did not pass during the last legislative session so they are back again this year. This would also prohibit utilities from charging the cost of sealing these leaks back to their users. He appreciates the council’s consideration of this resolution and says the council’s passage of it would send a strong message to the rest of the legislature."

The full context of the Jan 5th Council meeting in Lowell can be found here
http://www.richardhowe.com/2016/01/05/lowell-city-council-meeting-january-5-2016/

-------------

From the Twitterverse!

Huge congrats to @350MALowell -- their gas leaks resolution just passed!

— 350Mass (@350Mass) January 6, 2016

Are there really gas leaks? Yup, and they can be found!

We found gas leaks all along the #westroxburylateralpipeline route today, including M&R stn. @davabel @universalhub pic.twitter.com/s1WMwb2gxt

— Nathan Phillips (@nathanpboston) January 4, 2016

leaks along the west roxbury lateral pipeline

The presentation to the Franklin Town Council on Jan 6 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/live-reporting-presentation-on-spectra.html

nationalgrid: Take control of your energy bills

Help With Winter Bills. Massachusetts residents have suffered through some of the coldest winters in recent memory. And with winter on the way, this is the time of year when we use more energy as we stay inside and keep warm.

To view this email as a web page, click here.

Help With Winter Bills Massachusetts residents have suffered through some of the coldest winters in recent memory. And with winter on the way, this is the time of year when we use more energy as we stay inside and keep warm. Winter prices for electricity supply became effective on November 1. These supply prices are determined by the market and reflect our cost to purchase electricity on your behalf. We are concerned about what these changes in electricity costs mean for you. That's why we offer a variety of programs and services that can help you manage your energy costs, including: Energy Efficiency – From simple no-cost tips to more comprehensive programs, we have the energy saving solution to match your needs. Payment Options – We have a variety of options, including our Budget Plan which lets you spread out the impact of those high winter bills over the course of the year, creating stability. Payment Assistance – We offer consumer advocacy programs to help low-income eligible customers pay their bills. Energy Suppliers – You can choose who supplies the electricity we deliver to your house. We encourage you to consider all available energy supply options and determine which one will best meet your needs. To learn more about these solutions and options please visit ngrid.com/billhelp. It is also important for you to know that National Grid recently submitted a proposal to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to update our electricity distribution rates for the first time since 2009. This is different from the supply portion of your bill, These distribution charges cover the cost of operating and maintaining the poles and wires that bring electricity to your home or business. Please note that this proposal will be reviewed thoroughly by the DPU and, if approved, will not take effect until October 1, 2016. National Grid Here with you. Here for you.   Connect Now Visit us online at nationalgrid.com

This email was sent by: National Grid 40 Sylvan Road Waltham, MA, 02451, U.S.A.

"It’s going to be a long time before that point of view becomes relevant”

It is all in your point of view. This is an interesting find especially for those interested in opposing the Spectra Energy Pipeline expansion. Or maybe you already know this:

“We have a view, which happens to coincide with Gov. Baker’s view, on how we’re going to make up for the fact that Massachusetts is at the end of the pipeline,” says Weld. “The current battleground is gas. Five years ago, gas was the favorite child of the environmental movement because it wasn’t coal and it wasn’t oil. Those days are over. Now it’s a member of the hated fossil fuel community. Some in the environmental movement think everything is going to be wind and solar before long. It reminds me of the 1960s and all my fellow hippies in Cambridge saying, if only we could all love each other. I do think hydro is going to play a major role and soon.” 

Weld also notes that ML Strategies represents Spectra Energy, which wants to expand its Algonquin pipeline. “That’s a pretty easy sell,” he says. “There are issues with it, but conceptually it’s a fairly easy sell except for the people who now suddenly don’t like natural gas because it’s a member of the fossil club, which I think is not a well-taken position. It’s going to be a long time before that point of view becomes relevant.”

Read the full article in the Commonwealth Magazine online
http://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/all-bases-covered-at-ml-strategies/

In the News: (1) Millis no decision on water, yet; (2) early voting to be in effect for 2016

As an update to the item posted earlier this week:

Selectmen held off on agreeing to a contract with an engineering consulting firm to study the possibility of selling water to Exelon after financing questions. 

Exelon - a power generation company that owns and operates a 117-megawatt, three-unit oil-fired plant in Medway - is proposing to add two new generating units capable of producing 200 megawatts, but in order to do so, the plant needs water, and lots of it. 

The plant will need an average of 95,000 gallons of water per day to control the plant’s emissions, but is planning to draw a large amount of that from an onsite well it has already dug.

Continue reading the article on line (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150930/NEWS/150939466/1994/NEWS

In case you missed the earlier item, you can find it here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/09/a-pump-will-be-needed-to-send-water-to.html


Looks like this will be something to be addressed by the next Franklin Town Clerk

Town Clerk Ann Odabashian spoke to selectmen at the Monday all-boards meeting, in which they sought updates from town departments. 

She said she was worried about a recent state law mandating early voting, in which towns must offer voting for about two weeks prior to an election, during regular town clerk hours and at an election site. 

"I have not heard any solution of where to hold early voting, how to manage it or how to pay for it," she said. "The state's not paying for it." 

The town, said Odabashian, must have early voting ballots, absentee ballots and regular ballots created for next year's election.

Continue reading the article on line (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150930/NEWS/150939452/1994/NEWS

Additional info about the new law to take effect in 2016 can be found here
http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/05/massachusetts_gov_deval_patric_32.html

and here  https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2014/Chapter111

Gov. Deval Patrick signs a law establishing early voting in Massachusetts on May 22, 2014 at the State House. (SHIRA SCHOENBERG / THE REPUBLICAN)

Franklin Node Joins 350 Mass The Greater Franklin node is the newest addition to 350 Mass! Node members from Franklin, Medway, and the surrounding towns are organizing to stop Spectra's Access Northeast gas pipeline. Node members are calling on local town officials to withhold approval for Spectra's pipeline proposal. The node is also coordinating with the Stop the Medway Power Plant group  -- on September 17, the two joined forces for a protest outside a meeting between Lt. Governor Karen Polito and Medway selectmen.

The node meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month. Carolyn Barthel is the node coordinator and can answer any questions: her email address is carolyncbarthel@gmail.com.  What: 350 Mass Node Meeting (Franklin) When: Thu, October 1, 7pm – 9pm Where: First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin

To view the full 350 Mass newsletter follow this link
http://betterfutureproject.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/d/50788B05A743CF11

Medway Power Plant expansion

Hi Steve,

I'm wondering if you know about the proposed expansion of Exelon West Medway.  They have filed with the Siting Board a petition to build a 200 Megawatt dual fuel (Natual gas and ULSD) peaker plant at its current site in West Medway. If you look at the maps on the website: www.stopmedwaypeaker.com - you will see there will be significant pollution also effecting Holliston, Bellingham and Franklin. - especially important to those Franklin residents who live on the Medway/Bellingham line and businesses including Franklin Country Day Camp.

Here are some highlights of the project:

- 97,000 to 190,000 gallons of water used per day.  Source is unknown at this time but it will draw from the Charles River Watershed. 

- Over 700,000 tons of Co2 generated per year (according to the Conservation Law Foundation it will be the 6th dirtiest plant in the Commonwealth when up and running in 2018)

- 160 foot smoke stacks (current zoning allows for 70 feet)

- 50 foot buffer wall for noise mitigation

- 1,000,000 gallon storage tank for ULSD - (OIL)

- 16,000 gallons of aqueous Ammonia stored on site

- The location of the plant is on the West Medway, Bellingham, and Franklin town lines.

- They are looking to tap into the Algonquin gas pipeline, and their potential route goes through wetlands.   

- There are 5 day care centers, Medway High School, Choate Park in the town of Medway that are within a 3km radius of the plant.  There are also several organizations and a school from Franklin and Bellingham in close proximity as well.

As a family community, Medway isn't the right place to put such a large power plant. In fact, the Town of Medway adopted a master plan in 2009 that promotes industrial/business growth, but also set up to protect the environment.  Our master plan states:

"The reduction and prevention of pollution at all levels is a goal that makes sense both from health and budgetary perspectives.  Short-term gains in growth and/or tax revenue that produce potential long-term harm to Medway's environment must be avoided."

"93% of the 2009 MMPC Survey respondents think that the quality of drinking water and conservation are important. Water quality was a concern of residents responding to the 1999 Master Plan and continues to be an even bigger issue at this time."

"73% of the respondents to the 2009 Master Plan Survey believe that protecting the rural, small town character of Medway was important.  Likewise, maintaining the "sense of hometown community" was a common sentiment in the 2009 Survey."

Here are some links that you may be interested in:

http://web1.env.state.ma.us/dpu/fileroom#  - Siting Boards filing site.  The Docket is ESFB15-01.

WEBSITE:

www.stopmedwaypeaker.com 

TWITTER:
 @stopmedwaypeak

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/nopowerplantmedway

Medway is a community which is enjoyed for its character and charm.  Residents don't want to see that lost due to this project. 

For our Neighbors in Franklin, it should be known that (if approved) Medway will received approx $2.5 MILL per year for 20 years while neighboring communities will see no monetary gain but will suffer the effects of decreased property values, increased traffic and pollution.  In past proposals, hearings were held in surrounding towns - this time, there is currently no indication of informing or involving surrounding communities.

I wanted to inform you of what was going on. There are a few residents that would be glad to speak with you, raising awareness is very important to us.

Tracy Stewart