The Recorder’s article on Feb. 10 entitled “City looks stuck with natural gas moratorium,” kicked off a fascinating series of articles revealing utility plans and commitments to make changes in their business plans, actions by local churches aimed at drawing attention to the need to address the climate crisis — and the way forward.
I am thankful that Greenfield’s Council’s Economic Development Committee invited Chris Farrell of Berkshire Gas to discuss their natural gas moratorium, which started a discussion about alternatives. After Mr. Farrell explained the economic impossibilities for Berkshire Gas to build additional gas lines to meet demands of some people in Greenfield, several people asked about alternatives. Chris revealed that Berkshire Gas is working on them!
When the question of whether there are economically viable alternatives was put to Carole Collins, Greenfield’s director of energy and sustainability, she responded “I would say electrification … it’s here, it’s now and it’s affordable! Fossil fuels are pretty much over!”
Ms. Collins should know. With a vision of a fossil-fuel-free future, she works systematically to electrify city-owned buildings and vehicles and install solar systems. These upgrades have saved over $4.6 million taxpayer dollars over the past nine years!
On Feb. 11 The Recorder reported that the owner of the two electric generating facilities on the Connecticut River has joined other companies, policymakers and organizations, worldwide that are accelerating the decarbonization of the world’s electricity systems. (FirstLight Joins 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact.)
Alicia Barton, president and CEO of FirstLight, was quoted as saying: “At a time when greenhouse gas pollution from energy continues to increase at alarming rates, FirstLight is proud to join with world-class partners to take immediate action against looming climate catastrophe by driving systemic change and accelerating the transition to a carbon-free electricity sector.”
This is all great news! As an aside, this is motivating me to write Ms. Barton a letter asking if they plan to use only zero-carbon energy to pump water uphill at their Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage facility if their license is renewed, and another letter to President Biden demanding that he walk his talk and stop issuing licenses to drill for oil and gas, and for fossil fuel infrastructure such as pipelines and ports to export it. But I digress.
On Feb 12, the Recorder reported that several area churches rang their bells on Feb 11, at 11 a.m., for 11 minutes, to bring attention to the fact that we have a climate emergency. It is the 11th hour and we are acting as if nothing happened! The Recorder reported that Richard Pree channeled Greta Thunberg and said, “Our house is on fire!” Another parishioner added, “It’s against my religion to destroy the planet.” A third person, Mary Link, was quoted as saying “I find that when there’s something I’m afraid of, the best thing I can do is take action.” (Our House is on Fire, Recorder Feb. 12)
I could not agree more. The climate crisis is terrifying! Fortunately, the way forward is clear — no more fossil fuels! And incentives are here to help us make the transition to the alternative — electrification and zero-carbon electricity. The natural gas moratorium is a blessing.
The way forward has been made easier for us because Massachusetts has made a commitment to have zero-carbon electricity in eight years, and a zero-carbon economy by 2050.
Check out Mass Save’s new incentives! $10,000 and $15,000 for a heat pump that offers both heat and air conditioning, and then a 0% interest loan for the balance that will be paid off by your savings. As in the past, there are enhanced programs for renters and homeowners with different income levels, as well as special support for landlords who rent to people who are income eligible.
If you are still fearful of how much this will cost, think about the billions of dollars that we taxpayers are spending to rebuild after severe storms, floods, and fires caused by our changing climate. Think about the $4.6 million that the city of Greenfield has already saved, and the fact that the city uses less than 3% of all the energy we use in town. And savings will keep coming year after year!
Call MassSave at 1-866-527-SAVE (7283) today to find out which programs you are eligible for, and schedule an appointment. And after your home is electrified, check out the new and used electric cars on the market! So let’s take action! Together we can help our Earth, and save money year after year.
Nancy Hazard is the former director of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, and sits on the City’s Sustainable Greenfield Implementation Committee and Greening Greenfield. She can be reached at Nancy.Hazard@worldsustain.net.