Local Energy Committees

“…. and we ask our Selectmen to consider the appointment of a voluntary energy committee to recommend local steps to save energy and reduce emissions.”

This last sentence in the NH Climate Change Resolution hinges on the optimism of local citizens that individually, we can make a difference. Indeed, many of the 300 or so volunteers that helped bring the Resolution to March Town Meetings recognized that their local communities do have a role to play and were excited to hear their neighbors express at town meeting ideas of one sort or another that would help reduce emissions, contribute to the solutions to global warming, and lead their elected officials by example.

On March 29 the Carbon Coalition established a sub-group of conservation leaders, planners and citizens to begin the process of seeking ways to help people establish local energy committees and direct people to existing resources. The work and guidance of this committee and its member organizations will be available on this webpage.

For starters there is an online COMMUNITY TOOLKIT, created in partnership between Clean Air-Cool Planet and Jeffrey H. Taylor and Associates that offers:

• free project guidance
• sample ordinances
• financing information
• contacts to help local officials plan and implement GHG mitigation strategies

The New England Grassroots Environment Fund will entertain proposals for small grants to help communities plan and implement local projects.

The Sustainable Energy Resource Group has helpful links for towns and communities and is working with town energy committees in New Hampshire and in Vermont through the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN).

Please bookmark this page and return frequently for resources and examples. Questions or ideas?  Contact Toby Ball.