Governor Submits Application to Decarbonize Low-Income, Affordable Housing | 12:35PM / Saturday, October 28, 2023 | |
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Massachusetts agencies have requested clean energy investments for up to 78,500 low-income and affordable homes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the largest single emissions reduction initiative in United States history. A coalition led by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), and including the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), MassHousing, and Boston Housing Authority, submitted the state's application to the Solar for All competition for $250 million. In parallel, the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank, based at >> Read More |
DFS Launches Tool to Track Lithium-Ion Battery Fires| 11:57AM / Sunday, October 22, 2023 | |
STOW—State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine announced that the Department of Fire Services will begin tracking fires involving lithium-ion batteries, which are increasing in frequency nationwide and have killed more than a dozen people in New York City this year. "Across the country, and most visibly in New York City, fires caused by or involving lithium-ion batteries are on the rise, and often with deadly consequences," State Fire Marshal Davine said. "One of the greatest challenges in addressing the increase in these fires is quantifying them. We are launching a new effort to gather more and better data on lithium-ion battery fires in >> Read More |
Pittsfield Residents Discuss Vision for Former Saw Mill PropertyBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
06:12AM / Saturday, October 21, 2023 | |
The property, outlined in orange, is just south of Clapp Park and north of Velma Avenue. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is in the final stages establishing the former saw mill property as a conservation area. The goal of the project is to permanently protect these lands as part of the continued development of a greenway of protected land between Clapp Park and Pittsfield Municipal Airport. It had been part of a family farm for 175 years and, more recently, a solar field had been proposed for the area. "We're just trying to create a cost efficient property that's high quality, high value, that contributes to increasing your property >> Read More |
Bulky Waste Cleanup A Big Help for Westside Pittsfield ResidentsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
01:50PM / Tuesday, October 17, 2023 | |
The ton of electronics collected will be recycled by North Coast Services. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community members were spared the cost of larger disposables and ensured that their items were recycled properly during the annual West Side neighborhood cleanup and bulky waste collection on Saturday.
The event is targeted at residents of the neighborhood and has a twofold aim of providing a free opportunity to dispose of items such as mattresses and furniture while keeping them out of dumping areas.
Now in its 20th year, it was hosted by the city's Department of Community Development in partnership with the Pittsfield Housing Authority and 18 Degrees/Pittsfield Community
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Berkshire East Named a 2023 Mass Save Climate Leader| 08:04AM / Sunday, October 15, 2023 | |
CHARLEMONT, Mass. — Berkshire East Mountain Resort has been named a 2023 Climate Leader by the Sponsors of Mass Save. The award, given to 14 recipients, recognizes long-term energy efficiency commitment and dedication by leveraging the support and incentives the Mass Save program offers. "We are proud to live and work in the Commonwealth where we have a number of leaders to show us the pathway through decarbonization to a net zero future," said Tilak Subrahmanian, Vice President of Energy Efficiency and Electric Mobility at Eversource. "The Sponsors of Mass Save continue to see the strong efforts from this year's recipients and their dedication >> Read More |
Dalton Green Committee Urges Need For Sustainability ManagerBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:34AM / Tuesday, October 10, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Green Committee recommending that the town consider hiring a sustainability manager. Committee members last week voted to have Chair David Wasielewski create a presentation for the Select Board to demonstrate the need for this position. The role of a sustainability manager would be to stay up to date on the volume of information surrounding sustainability and advocate and be a proponent of green initiatives, committee members said. There are so many moving parts in town government and variables that need to be considered which understandably slows down decision making, committee member Todd Logan >> Read More |
Wildlife-Friendly Fall Cleanup TipsMass Wildlife,
04:00PM / Monday, October 09, 2023 | |
 Autumn is here, bringing cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and shorter days. As you prepare your yard for winter, help your local wildlife with a few simple steps. Although raking leaves seems synonymous with autumn, allowing some leaves to remain in your yard can provide benefits for plants and local wildlife. When they decompose, leaves return nutrients to the soil. In addition, fallen leaves provide cover and insulation to overwintering insects including many types of moths and butterflies. Mow over fallen leaves to break them up and speed decomposition. Use a rake to spread out the leaves so underlying plants and grass are smothered. Excess leaves can be used as mulch >> Read More |
Dalton Green Committee Discusses Getting Compost ProgramBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:42AM / Monday, October 09, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Green Committee is mulling the potential of a composting program at the transfer station. The program would allow residents to bring organic compost to the transfer station without charge. The compost station would have three sections separated by concrete cubes. Every six months to a year, the compost would be moved to a different section as it breaks down, committee member Antonio Pagliarulo said. Pagliarulo and committee member Thomas Irwin visited the Egremont Transfer Station to inform Dalton's proposed program. "It's gratis to the townspeople of Egremont. They leave their compost, and then >> Read More |
Berkshire County Historical Society Celebrates Plant a Tree Day | 11:45AM / Wednesday, September 27, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join the Berkshire County Historical Society on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 5:30 pm as they celebrate Plant a Tree Day with a ceremonial planting of a young American elm "Jefferson" on Park Square. The tree will be planted to honor the Berkshires' first known environmentalist Lucretia Williams. Williams threw herself before the woodsman's axe to save a towering elm known as the Pittsfield Elm on Park Square in 1789. "BCHS is very grateful to the Pittsfield Parks Department and George and Alice Wislocki for helping make this possible, said Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "It is a fitting and lasting tribute >> Read More |
Mayor Tyer Recognizes BEAT for International AwardBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:44AM / Wednesday, September 27, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Environmental Action Team was applauded in council chambers on Tuesday for its various efforts that led to an international award.
"BEAT has worked tirelessly to address significant environmental issues that affect the quality of life for Pittsfield residents as well as the animal and plant life found within its borders," Mayor Linda Tyer said.
Joined by Executive Director Jane Winn, Tyer read a proclamation to the council and attendees.
In June, the nonprofit received a prestigious stewardship award at the International Conference of Ecology and Transportation in Burlington, Vt., for its work protecting and reconnecting wildlife
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