DALTON, Mass. — New ways to reduce fossil fuel dependence in a cost effective way was the topic at a climate change preparedness forum earlier this month.

 

The event was a collaboration between the town's Green Committee, the Stationery Factory, and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

 

Massachusetts is leading the charge in energy efficiency, said panelist Sherdyl Fernandez-Aubert, an environmental and energy planner for Berkshire Regional Planning. 

 

Mass Save, a collaborative of the utilities and energy efficiency organizations, focuses on improving the "building envelope and energy efficiency" for rental, residential homes, and small businesses, he said. 

 

The state is working on improving the program's accessibility for smaller towns that are farther west and sometimes get overlooked from the Boston area, Fernandez-Aubert added. 

 

Mass Save has a number of programs whether it's for heat pumps, solar, green electricity, electric cars, and more, said Larry Chretien, executive director for Green Energy Consumers Alliance. 

 

It is highly recommended that residents take advantage of this program because it is likely they are already paying for it, Fernandez-Aubert said.

 

The program is funded by a line item on everyone's utility bill each month as an energy efficiency surcharge, he said. 

 

The first step in taking advantage of this program is to get a free Home Energy Assessment.

 

During this assessment a certified Mass Save assessor will inspect the home to determine ways the program can improve energy efficiency and save the resident money, Fernandez-Aubert said.

 

Based on these recommendations they "recommend either air sealing or improving the insulation or other weatherization measures, which will be either 75 to 100 percent off," he said.

 

There are a number of incentives and rebates for the different sizes of heating systems and a zero-percent interest heat loan to help cover the cost of additional energy efficiency upgrades.

 

Every three years, the program reviews past performances to determine ways it needs to change to improve. 

 

The program also has some energy efficient fossil fuel, mainly gas options but it is not recommended because Massachusetts has ties to meet its zero carbon goal so if the resident still owns the home they will most likely have to move to an electric system, Fernandez-Aubert said.

 

The program will also guide the resident through the repeat process to ensure they get as many of the savings they are eligible for. 

 

Residents may also be qualified for the income eligible program if they make less than 60 percent of the area's median income, depending on the number of people in the household, Fernandez-Aubert said.

 

If the resident's income ranges from about $40,000 or less to about $80,000 they may be eligible. 

 

"If you are eligible, you receive 100 percent off installation and weatherization upgrades," Fernandez-Aubert said.

 

"And you're eligible for 100 percent free changeover to an electric air source heat pump. It will cover the cost of any remediation needed to install it, as long as it's either mold or wiring related to knob and tube."

 

To apply, residents can reach out to their local "CAB" agency that can guide them through the process. In this case the local agency is Berkshire Community Action Council in Pittsfield.

 

The small-business program through Mass Save will offer a turnkey process which is designed to make sure that these improvements can be made with minimal interruptions.

 

"If you own your own building, it gets a little easier because you can make all the decisions yourself," Fernandez-Aubert said. 

 

"If you're leasing, they will work with you to connect with your landlord if you want to get other upgrades that require modifying the building like insulation, or installing an HVAC system that's more energy efficient."

 

To save on this initiative Fernandez-Aubert also recommended that residents take advantage of their towns municipal aggregation which can save them anywhere from 15 to 30 percent. 

 

Chretien also encouraged residents to utilize a calculator on the electrification nonprofit Rewiring America's website which will produce a list of things that a resident is eligible for based on a number of parameters like their zip code, address, tax filing status and more. 

 

For residents interested in solar initiatives, Green Energy Consumers Alliance recommends the company EnergySage, which will generate seven competing bids for solar installation that is about 15 percent below market rate after inputting your address, Chretien said. 

 

In addition to its programming Mass Save does a lot of policy work to encourage the state government to for more energy and climate work that is pro consumer and pro environment, Chretien said. 

 

The federal Inflation Reduction Act that passed about a year ago was an absolute game changer for climate change, he said. 

 

"It is the largest investment in clean energy that the world has ever seen by a lot in the United States, particularly," Chretien said. "It's not everything that we need, we need to do another one very soon. But it's going to transform the energy economy in the United States."

 

Residents can benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act benefits along with benefits from Mass Save and Solar, he said. 

 

The Inflation Reduction Act incentives last for at least 10 years so these changes can be planned out in a way that works best for the residents' home and lifestyle, Chretien said.

 

"This could be a trillion-dollar stimulus to clean energy and I hope it will be because that will change the world very rapidly," Chretien said. 

 

There are also opportunities for community based projects so it is recommended that cities and towns identify good sites, partners, and contractors, he said. 

 

"So, it's not just about you at your home or your business, but also in the community you live in, Chretien said.

 

Residents can also combine these benefits with tax incentives that can add up to $3,200 in one year. 

 

Watch the whole forum here.