Last week, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) reached it's third year anniversary. Since 2009, the Patrick-Murray Administration has prudently invested Massachusetts' federal stimulus funds with thousands of clean energy projects completed as a result. Check out some of the social media highlights of Recovery Act in Massachusetts below - you can also view these stories in a slide show.
Renewables
02/23/2012
02/21/2012
A clean tech career challenge
Jim Bowen
Clean Energy Sector Development Director, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
View Jim's Complete BioLast month, I went to local energy storage company FastCAP Systems' Research and Development Lab in Boston's Innovation District to talk with a group of about 30 Boston Public Schools students about the clean energy industry. The high school students were the first in a series of tours called the “Clean Tech Career Challenge" organized by FastCAP, solar inverter manufacturer Satcon, and the clean energy incubator Greentown Labs.
The goal of the tour was to get young people excited about studying technology-related disciplines by giving them an inside look at what it is like to work at a clean tech company. Governor Deval Patrick joined students on a similar event on February 3 and spoke with them about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. As part of the Administration’s efforts to close the achievement gap, Governor Patrick made a stop at the most recent career day to talk with students and congratulate the companies for their effort to teach students about career opportunities in clean energy.
Check out some more photos of the tour by clicking here
FastCAP’s CEO, Dr. Riccardo Signorelli, sees this as imperative to sustaining the quick paced growth the industry has experienced in the last few years, and keeping cutting-edge clean technology jobs not only in the U.S., but in Massachusetts specifically.
“We’ve got to make sure that there is an energetic, qualified and high-tech workforce available locally to fill the clean technology jobs that we are busy creating here,”said Signorelli.
From building prototypes in the machine shop, to computer modeling and performing experiments in the chemistry lab, the students learned that they could do many types of jobs at a clean technology company. The biggest hit of the tour at FastCAP was a chemical engineer named Kavya, who explained the many applications and benefits of nanotechnology, and showed the students equipment she uses to grow and analyze tiny nanoparticles in the lab. So tiny, she said “that one nanotube is equal in size to 1/10,000th of the width of a single human hair.”
The engineers, technicians, scientists, entrepreneurs and managers the students met during the trip illustrated the broad spectrum of jobs available in the clean energy sector - from advanced manufacturing jobs to business administration and development - from engineering and product design to entrepreneurial ventures.
The clean energy sector, which currently stands at 64,000 jobs at almost 5,000 companies in Massachusetts, grew at 6.7 percent from July 2010 to July 2012, according to MassCEC’s 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report. The report also found that Massachusetts' competes with other states for jobs and that even though Massachusetts’ world-class colleges and universities produce some of the best skilled workers, companies still need more well-trained workers.
It was clear from this report that in order for Massachusetts to stay competitive, we must do more to increase the supply of skilled workers. Part of our mission at MassCEC is to help create a workforce that is trained with the right skills that industry needs. That's why I was excited for the opportunity to meet and talk with high school students and the host companies on this tour. Encouraging our youth to study and obtain critical skills in STEM will not only give them a head start to landing a rewarding career in a growing industry, but it will help keep the burgeoning Massachusetts clean energy sector growing strong.
I hope to see more schools and companies working together to expose students at an early age to the exciting clean energy industry opportunities here in Massachusetts.
02/13/2012
Wind turbine health impact report upcoming meetings
On Jan. 17, an independent panel of scientific experts released a report entitled “Wind Turbine Health Impact Study: Report of the Independent Panel” and we're holding three meetings (two this week) to collect public feedback about the report.
MassDEP and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) sought the development of this report by a panel of independent experts in order to help the Commonwealth, as well as local governments, address some of the questions that have been raised about possible human health impacts associated with proximity to wind turbines.
Among the key findings of the panel are:
- There is no evidence for a set of health effects from exposure to wind turbines that could be characterized as a “Wind Turbine Syndrome.”
- Claims that infrasound from wind turbines directly impacts the vestibular system have not been demonstrated scientifically. Available evidence shows that the infrasound levels near wind turbines cannot impact the vestibular system.
- The weight of the evidence suggests no association between noise from wind turbines and measures of psychological distress or mental health problems.
- None of the limited epidemiological evidence reviewed suggests an association between noise from wind turbines and pain and stiffness, diabetes, high blood pressure, tinnitus, hearing impairment, cardiovascular disease, and headache/migraine.
- There is limited epidemiologic evidence suggesting an association between exposure to wind turbines and annoyance. There is insufficient epidemiologic evidence to determine whether there is an association between noise from wind turbines and annoyance independent from the effects of seeing a wind turbine and vice versa.
- There is limited evidence from epidemiologic studies suggesting an association between noise from wind turbines and sleep disruption. In other words, it is possible that noise from some wind turbines can cause sleep disruption. Whether annoyance from wind turbines leads to sleep issues or stress has not been sufficiently quantified. While not based on evidence from wind turbines, there is evidence that sleep disruption can adversely affect mood, cognitive functioning, and overall sense of health and well-being.
- Scientific evidence suggests that shadow flicker does not pose a risk for eliciting seizures as a result of photic stimulation. There is limited scientific evidence of an association between annoyance from prolonged shadow flicker (exceeding 30 minutes per day) and potential transitory cognitive and physical health effects.
The panel is composed of physicians and scientists with broad expertise in areas including acoustical noise/infrasound, public health, sleep disturbance, mechanical engineering, epidemiology, and neuroscience. The members of the panel are:
Dr. Jeffrey M. Ellenbogen of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital; Dr. Sheryl Grace of Boston University; Dr. Wendy J. Heiger-Bernays of the Boston University School of Public Health; Dr. James F. Manwell of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst; Dr. Dora Anne Mills of the University of New England; Dr. Kimberly A. Sullivan of the Boston University School of Public Health; Dr. Marc G. Weisskopf of the Harvard School of Public Health; and Dr. Susan L. Santos (panel facilitator).
Wind Turbine Health Impact Study
I urge anyone with an interest in this topic to review it, and I encourage anyone with comments to submit them to us or to participate in one of three public meetings in February. This panel functioned independently of MassDEP and MDPH and consisted of seven individuals with backgrounds in public health, epidemiology, toxicology, neurology and sleep medicine, neuroscience, and mechanical engineering. Each of these individuals is considered an independent expert from academic institutions, and I personally want to thank each of them for their time and commitment to this important public project.
We’ve seen the public interest around this topic steadily grow. It is extremely important that we have the best science available to us as we make future decisions on wind energy.
As MassDEP begins to digest the panel’s report and findings, MassDEP will accept written public comments on the report until March 19, 2012 and is hoolding three upcoming public meetings.
• Tuesday, February 14, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Gardner Auditorium in the State House, 24 Beacon St.
• Thursday, February 16, 2012, from 5-8 p.m. - Bourne High School, Beth Bourne Auditorium, 75 Waterhouse Road, Bourne.
• Tuesday, February 28, 2012, from 5-8 p.m. - The Lee Middle and High School Auditorium, 300 Greylock Street, Lee. Snow date: February 29th.
We hope that interested parties will participate in this process so the Commonwealth will have the full benefit of public feedback before taking steps to implement or adopt the findings or recommendations by the independent panel.
02/10/2012
2012: Time for the new (and improved!)
Here we are, already in the second month of the New Year. If you were impacted by the tornadoes last year in western and central Massachusetts, you know that months later, residents of Monson, Springfield and surrounding towns are still working to restore their homes and get their lives back to normal. You’re probably relieved to turn the calendar page, make a fresh start and plan for the year ahead.
The staff at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center want to help you make 2012 a better year than last, by helping you rebuild – and rebuild keeping energy efficiency and renewable energy in mind.
The ReBuild Western Massachusetts program offers rebates, grants and 0 percent interest loans for energy efficiency improvements and solar projects as you repair or rebuild your homes. If you plan to install windows, doors or a new heating system this year, understand that there are a number of available incentives to reduce your costs. Home and business owners as well as municipalities in the affected areas are eligible for up to $5,000 rebates and 0 percent interest loans for up to $100,000. The available incentives in the ReBuild program in conjunction with many incentives offered by local utilities may make your efficient home improvements cost less than a non-efficient measure. Check out the video below to learn more.
ReBuild Western Massachusetts: wwlp.com
By installing good insulation, ENERGY STAR® qualified windows and doors, or a high efficiency heating system, you’ll improve your comfort every day while saving money on your monthly electrical bills.
If you are installing a new water heater, keep in mind that a solar water heating system can provide up to 75 percent of your annual hot water usage and can greatly reduce bills from expensive heating fuels like oil, electricity and propane.
Installing a new roof? This could be a great time to incorporate a solar electric system to lower your monthly electric bills. With the additional rebate available in the recovery zones, almost 75 percent of the system is covered and the system can actually pay for itself in the first 2-3 years!
Remember – energy improvements are the only household improvements that actually pay you back. And when you are ready to sell the house, a lower utility bill can help sell the house faster. Here’s to a new and improved year!
To find out more about the ReBuild Western Mass program, call 877-524-1325 to speak to a representative, email rebuildwma@icfi.com, or visit www.mass.gov/energy/rebuildwesternma.
01/25/2012
A year in review…the clean energy revolution continues
This week, President Obama and Governor Patrick both confirmed their visions for our clean energy future. In the State of the Union speech, the President talked about the “promise of clean energy,” and said “nowhere is the promise of innovation greater than in American-made energy.” In the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth address, he brought it home, reminding us that the Green Communities Act fundamentally shifted our state’s energy focus toward efficiency and renewable energy.
Our nation-leading energy policies are producing results across the board. Massachusetts citizens, businesses, state entities, and local governments - including 86 designated Green Communities - are taking advantage of the economic and environmental rewards of investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. We’re creating clean energy jobs, reducing municipal operating costs, using less energy and adding cleaner energy. And we’ve received national recognition for our efforts.
Take a look at the advances in our energy agenda from last year (for the best view press play, click 'More' and view 'Fullscreen').
You can also view the Massachusetts 2011 Clean Energy Year In Review on this site or you can download 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Year in Review.
Under Governor Patrick’s leadership and support of renewable energy, the clean energy industry grew nearly 7 percent in Massachusetts last year, and added thousands of jobs. We’ve added tens of thousands of kilowatts of renewable generation – enough to power over 25,000 households – since 2007.
This past fall, Massachusetts was ranked as the No. 1 state in the nation for energy efficiency by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for “excelling in every aspect of energy efficiency” and continuing “the implementation of the 2008 Green Communities Act.” Massachusetts’ success in renewable energy was also underlined in the fall, when Governor Patrick was awarded the Solar Champion Award by the Solar Energy Industry Association.
None of our success would be possible without the hard work of the more than 63,000 people working in 4,900 Massachusetts clean energy companies, weatherizing homes, designing energy efficient buildings, installing solar panels for electricity or heating, and tuning up high efficiency furnaces. It also wouldn’t be possible if homeowners, renters, landlords, business owners and municipal leaders didn’t see the benefit of investing in energy improvements that provide savings and value today, and well into the future.
It’s been a thrilling first year as commissioner and I look forward to continuing my work with you as we create a cleaner energy future together.
01/13/2012
Energy By the Numbers: 72
Five years ago, Massachusetts had just 3.5 megawatts (MW) of solar power installed. Today, thanks to the leadership of the Patrick-Murray Administration, there are now 72 MW of solar power capacity installed in Massachusetts - enough to power 12,264 homes for a year.
The Commonwealth initiated its first program for solar PV rebates and partnerships in 2001, funded through a small renewable energy charge on electric utility bills. But solar really took off when, in April 2007, when Governor Patrick announced a goal of 250 MW of installed solar power by 2017 and launched the Commonwealth Solar (CommSolar) program in January 2008.
With installations in 328 cities and towns across the state, this twenty fold increase in solar capacity since January of 2007 highlights the Administration’s commitment to creating a cleaner energy future for the Commonwealth. Investing in clean, healthy, and homegrown energy sources is a vital component of this future as Massachusetts is at the end of the energy pipeline.
Of the $22 billion the Commonwealth spends annually to buy the energy that runs its power plants, buildings and vehicles, 80 percent flows out of state to purchase coal from Colombia, oil from Venezuela, and natural gas and oil from the Middle East and Canada. That’s nearly $18 billion in lost economic opportunity that Massachusetts stands poised to reclaim through investments in home-grown renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Making solar a cornerstone of the Commonwealth’s clean energy economy has created a vibrant industry. In 2007, just 50 solar installers were doing business in Massachusetts, while today there are more than 250 solar installers. Solar energy is the most prominent renewable energy technology area for Massachusetts clean energy companies, with more than two in three renewable energy employers working with solar energy technologies.
For more information about solar power in Massachusetts, visit the Department of Energy Resources or the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. You can also see how the Commonwealth is progressing towards meeting its ambitious renewable energy goals on the Renewable Energy Snapshot.
12/28/2011
Energy By the Numbers: 44
This week on the blog, we are launching a new effort to highlight some of the amazing clean energy and energy efficiency efforts happening across Massachusetts. To do this, we’re going to use numbers. These numbers will help to provide clarity around the progress we are making in the Commonwealth and will represent the most recent and accurate information we have at the time of the post.
The first Energy Number is 44; the number of megawatts of wind power installed in Massachusetts as of December 1, 2011. This is more than a 10-fold increase in wind power since 2007 and represents a significant investment in a clean energy future for the Commonwealth. This photo is of the Air Force’s new 1.5 megawatt wind turbine at the Massachusetts Military Reserve in Cape Cod and was taken at the recent ribbon cutting. This turbine will generate clean, homegrown electricity and is estimated to save the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment over $1.5 million per year .
Visit our wind page or the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to learn more about wind energy in Massachusetts and check out the Renewable Energy Snapshot to see the progress the Commonwealth has made since 2002.
12/22/2011
Zero net energy buildings, the gift that keeps on giving
Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr.
Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
View Secretary Sullivan's BioThis past October I joined several state officials on the campus of North Shore Community College (NSCC) to celebrate the completion of the largest and first state-owned zero net energy building in Massachusetts. This 58,000-square-foot, three-floor building – the college’s Health and Student Services Building – is so efficient that it generates enough clean energy on site to satisfy its annual energy consumption. Over the course of one year, it will generate enough clean renewable energy to sustain a full year’s worth of energy use. That’s zero consumption, no energy bills and zero carbon emissions.
The building will eliminate its carbon footprint and by doing so holds the distinct honor of being the largest zero net energy building on the east coast and, we believe, the second largest in the country, behind a U.S. Department of Energy building in Colorado.
The reduced energy demands have been made possible due to a variety of resourceful design strategies. The building’s orientation, for example, is positioned to maximize natural sunlight and reduce solar gain during the summer. Natural ventilation and active chilled beams reduce cooling load, while low cost lighting solutions such as LED lighting and occupancy sensors limit the use of electricity. The most expensive investment for the building is its closed-loop geothermal system, which supports 100 percent of the building’s heating and cooling load. Additionally, solar panels on the roof and in the parking lot will utilize on-site clean energy technologies. All design details allow the building’s zero net energy status to be possible.
This project will not only drastically reduce electricity consumption and costs, but will also prevent nearly 400 metric tons of carbon emissions over a 20-year period, equivalent to eliminating the electricity use of 500 homes. The success of the project is evidence of the state’s commitment to reduce long-term energy costs for taxpayers, as well as the importance of creating more zero net energy buildings not only in Massachusetts, but across the country.
In 2008, Governor Patrick appointed over 70 architects, engineers, developers, agency personnel, non-profits, and other building and energy professionals to a task force designed to develop guidelines for zero net energy building. Nine months later, the task force released a set of 44 recommendations for the Commonwealth, ranging from workforce development and public education initiatives to improvement of energy codes and establishment of minimum energy performance standards. The recommendations also included a project to construct two state-owned zero net energy buildings, including this building at NSCC.
The building offers new classrooms, labs, and offices, and provides Massachusetts with its first state-owned zero net energy building and one of the most innovative of its kind in the country. That's a gift that will keep on giving for the Commonwealth.
12/20/2011
Massachusetts Qualifies 1,000th Solar Carve-Out Project
Department of Energy Resources
View Michael's Bio
This fall our Massachusetts Solar Carve-Out Program recently reached a milestone with the qualification of its 1,000th solar photovoltaic (PV) project. In the year and a half since its inception, the amount of solar capacity installed in the state more than tripled, from 20 megawatts in early 2010 to over 60 MW at the beginning of October 2011. Of the new solar installed, over 30 MW came from projects that qualified for the Solar Carve-Out, a market-based incentive program for eligible Massachusetts solar installations.
From projects like the 1.8 MW facility owned by Western Massachusetts Electric in Pittsfield, to smaller projects located on schools, public buildings, industrial parks, small businesses, and over 800 residential installations, the program has already helped facilitate the development of a wide variety of projects in 306 towns and cities across the Commonwealth.
As we move forward into 2012, the program continues to excite interest as Massachusetts is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing PV markets in the United States. Each day, new developers and investors from across the country and the rest of the world are inquiring about investing in PV projects in Massachusetts. In the last few months alone, DOER has spoken to investment banks from Germany, a trade commission from Spain, and met with many project developers and installers that until recently have only worked in other U.S. markets, Nearly all have expressed their enthusiasm for the program and several have already opened up offices in Massachusetts and begun hiring employees.
With over 30 MW of projects operating and another 20 MW qualified and soon to be installed, the program is well positioned to exceed the growth rate of the last year and a half. The next year promises to see continued growth in the residential and small commercial sector, with a known pipeline of over 1,000 small projects that have or will receive a rebate from the Commonwealth Solar II or Solarize Massachusetts rebate programs. We also expect continued growth in the number of mid to large scale commercial projects. Lastly, the largest growth in terms of MW installed will likely come from large scale projects (projects greater than 1 MW). Due to the increased complexity of such projects, they typically take longer to install and few have been qualified to date. However, we expect to see a number of projects in this size range become operational over the next year as they work through utility interconnection processes and set up project financing.
After the great success of the first year and a half of the Solar Carve-Out Program, the Massachusetts market sits poised to become one of the largest and fastest growing PV markets in the country. With any luck, the 2000th project is right around the corner.
12/08/2011
Seven communities get green for greening
Meg Lusardi
Director - Green Communities Division Department of Energy Resources
View Meg's Complete BioYesterday, I joined Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia and community leaders in Truro to celebrate a $141,200 Green Communities grant awarded to the town to fund the installation of anti-idling devices on police cruisers, energy audits, and efficiency measures at several municipal buildings including new boiler systems and new roof insulation. Truro is the second Green Community on Cape Cod following Mashpee, which was designated as a Green Community in 2010.
Last Friday, I was in Sutton with Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, Commissioner Sylvia and community leaders to honor six more communities (Sutton, Sherborn, Mendon, Monson, Millbury and Holland) with grants totaling $902,675 for energy management systems and high-efficiency street lights, and weatherization upgrades.
In the third round of Green Communities designations, 21 cities and towns from across the Commonwealth became eligible for grants to fund local energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives that lock in long-term energy savings and protect our environment. The newest Green Communities have earned $3.7 million to fund projects that include installing solar panels on town office buildings and energy conservation upgrades such as efficient furnaces and windows.
Massachusetts continues to lead the country in clean energy policies and programs, with help from the 74 Green Communities across the Commonwealth. We’re counting on more communities to seek the designation.
Through the Green Communities Act of 2008, these communities will help the state reach its energy efficiency and renewable energy goals, while empowering communities to tackle their own projects and initiatives.
The DOER uses funding from auctions of carbon emissions permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to reward these Green Communities. To be designated as a Green Community, cities and towns must meet five clean energy qualification criteria. These include establishing a municipal energy use baseline and a plan to reduce use by 20 percent within five years, purchasing only fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use, and minimizing life-cycle energy costs in new construction by adopting energy-saving building codes. The DOER provides a $125,000 base grant to each community, offering additional amounts based on per capita income and population. Awards are capped at $1 million.
The newest batch of 21 Green Communities are Ayer, Bedford, Brookline, Buckland, Carlisle, Deerfield, Granby, Middlefield, Revere, Shutesbury, Somerville, Tewksbury, Topsfield, and Woburn, plus the seven mentioned above.
The Green Communities Designation and Grant program and the Leading by Example program are just two examples of Massachusetts’ commitment to a clean energy future. With these communities playing a critical role in establishing Massachusetts as a leader in energy efficiency innovation, Massachusetts was named number one this fall by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy's annual state-by-state energy efficiency scorecard. See Secretary Sullivan’s recent blog post.
