Worse Than Coal by Josh Fox and Lee Ziesche a Duplicitous and Dangerous Shift in Energy Is Unfolding Across Our Country

ISSUE 32 JUNE - AUGUST 2015 FREE! Now Available in R S ! SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR VT, NH, MA, NY, AND BEYOND E A Portland, Maine! Y 6

Energy Independence, Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Living and MORE! www.greenenergytimes.org | 802.439.6675 Do you understand what this means? Fracked Gas: By George Harvey Will Tesla Change Our World? Worse than Coal By Josh Fox and Lee Ziesche A duplicitous and dangerous shift in energy is unfolding across our country. As part of the Obama Administration’s climate plan, coal-fired power plants are being taken offline, which is fantastic- but in many cases the proposal is to replace them with natural gas power plants, a truly terrible idea that will force us to frack for decades. We need to replace both coal and gas with truly renewable energy- the wind and the sun. But unfortunately Obama’s climate plan is a form of fossil fuel denial; it’s out of the coal fire and into Tesla Powerwall Battery. Courtesy of Tesla. Inset: Elon Musk. Photo by Heisenberg Media. Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. the fracked gas frying pan. Replacing coal with fracked-gas-fired On March 30, Elon Musk, the CEO of a 7kWh battery priced at $3000 and a in Forbes a few days later with the title, power plants is not a climate solution; Tesla Motors and Chairman of SolarCity, 10kWh model at $3500. An industrial- “Why Tesla Batteries Are Cheap Enough To it’s a desperate attempt for the fossil fuel set a lot of people buzzing when he scale battery called a “Powerpack” would Prevent New Power Plants.” The excite- industry to extend its deadly stranglehold tweeted that Tesla would be introducing hold 100kWh, and be priced at $25,000. ment, however, was not just a bunch of on our energy system. Faced with over- a new product line, but it would not be There were, of course, a lot of people words. whelming science that proves continuing cars. Speculation centered on batteries, whose reaction was, “Ho-hum. What could Tesla pre-sold $804,000,000 worth of to burn fossil fuels will cause catastrophic because he had started moving on the be interesting about batteries?” They did batteries in the first week after the an- climate change, the industry’s new strat- construction of a $5 billion battery plant not understand the implications. But the nouncement. egy to avoid extinction is to greenwash months earlier. It was assumed that a response in many important places was To understand why all the fuss is going dirty fossil fuels. plant of that size was much too big to be astonishing. on, a little background might be reviewed. The fracking PR machine has been intended to build batteries for Tesla’s cars. Arnie Gundersen, well-known for his Last year, analysts for Oncor Electric Deliv- feverishly peddling natural gas as a clean Then, on April 30, 2015, Musk an- commentary on nuclear power, told an ery Company calculated the break-even source of energy. They’ve made up the nounced that Tesla had three new lines audience the Tesla battery was the final point for utility-scale storage batteries at term “bridge fuel,” claiming we can’t get of batteries for sale. For the home, there nail in the coffin of the nuclear industry. $350 per kWh. Tesla’s Powerpack, the big from coal to renewables without fracked would be two “Powerwall” batteries, Even more surprising, an article appeared sister of the Powerwall natural gas acting as a bridge. cont’d on p.17 A Majority of Big Oil Wants THREE DOWN …TWO TO GO to Act on Climate Change By George Harvey Among oil companies, there are five important issues to the table, with the ex- The significance of this development that stand out, traditionally called “Big press hope of entering into a dialog with would be hard to overstate. The oil Oil,” and “the super-majors.” Though there the UN and “willing” governments. companies have gone beyond admit- are other large companies, these five “We believe that a price on carbon ting that climate change is a real, serious, stand out for reasons of both history and should be a key element of these frame- man-made problem. They have even gone economics. works,” the oil companies say. With that, beyond pointing out that it is important Three of the five super-majors, together they are asking that charges for putting that they make a contribution to the solu- with three more huge oil companies that carbon into the atmosphere be made, tion. They have asked the nations of the are not part of that group, sent out two raising the prices of the products they sell. Earth to be allowed to enter into a dialog, letters on climate change at the end of Unsurprisingly, they ask that natural gas, in which they can offer their Josh Fox and Lee Zeische were arrested protesting cont’d on p.25 fracked gas storage in salt caverns under Seneca Lake. May. One of these went to the Financial which they sell, be used to replace coal, Photo courtesy of ‘We Are Seneca Lake.’ Times, and it makes the interesting state- which they do not sell. And unsurpris- ment, “We owe it to future generations to ingly, they advocate carbon capture and seek realistic, workable solutions to the storage. But they also advocate increased IN THIS ISSUE: Let’s be clear, when it comes to our en- challenge of providing more energy while use of efficiency, renewable energy, smart Cavendish, VT Municipal Solar p. 9 ergy future, there are two diverging paths tackling climate change.” buildings and grids, and clean vehicles. and there is no bridge between them. While that seems rather stunning, the One other thing they notably advocate is Solar Up, New Hampshire p.10 The industry likes to tout the fact that other letter, which went to the United new behaviors. when burned, natural gas emits half the Nations, says a good deal more. It begins The three super-major oil companies 1st Net-zero Apartments in NY p.19 carbon dioxide of coal. That’s true, but with an admission that puts everything that signed the letter are Shell, BP, and Community Resilience in they fail to mention that methane, a very into unambiguous focus. “Climate change Total, a French company. They were joined potent greenhouse gas, is also leaking at is a critical challenge for our world.” by Italy’s Eni, Norway’s Statoil, and one Greenfield, MA pp. 20-21 scary rates from every part of production Unsurprisingly, the oil companies sing US company, BG Group. The two super- and delivery which negates any climate their own praises in various places in the majors that did not sign the letter are Wind & Solar Hybrid School p. 33 benefit. letters. Nevertheless, they bring some Chevron and ExxonMobil. The reason is that methane is an A SolAr extremely potent greenhouse gas; it is 86 Powered G.E.T. IT! to 105 times more powerful a warming Thank you to Our SPONSORS For Their Support: ComPAny agent over a 20-year period than carbon dioxide. And it is 33 times more potent over 100 years. So that means that if there is greater REEN ENERGY T MES than two to three% leakage, cont’d on p.32 G ... be energy independent! ™ GREEN ENERGY TIMES (G.E.T.) the other side of the fence. Enjoy it. Ck out our Ad Size Dimensions GREEN ENERGY TIMES (G.E.T.) Sustainable Sports section on pp. 38-39. TABLETABLE OFOF CONTENTSCONTENTS 17491749 Wright’s Wright’s Mountain Mountain Road Road • • Bradford,Bradford, VT 05033 Please have fun responsibly, not only EDITORS’ PAGE, SUBSCRIPTIONS ...... 2 t/f: 802.439.6675 • [email protected] for the sake of a future, environmentally but t/f: 802.439.6675 • [email protected] EDITOR’SNET METERING INFO & EXPANSION NEWS, SUBSCRIPTIONS ...... 23 Button 2.3125 x 1.375 G.E.T.’s STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TEAM: Summer! What a great season we have in also with your own health in mind. Check out NEWS & HAPPENINGS...... 3 Publisher/Editor/Production ...... Nancy Rae Mallery C-PACEfront of us. Let’s make moves it a summer of awareness closer the tosunscreen reality recipe on p. 35, and in the tipsNH TRANSPORTATION SECTION ...... 4 6 G.E.T.’s COMMUNICATIONS TEAM: By Laura Richardson TRANSPORTATION SECTION ... 4-6 1/16 Page vert. 2.3125 x 3 General Factotum ...... George Harvey and not forget the planet or our future while we throughout the It’s a Green Life ... after all section RHOADES CAR, NO IDLING IS A LAW ...... 4-6 Publisher/Editor/Production ...... Nancy Rae Mallery legislators from both parties and advo- THINGS TO DO WHILE COMMUTING...... 4 Copy Editor ...... Ray Brewster areWith doing Governor all of the Maggiesummer Hassan’sthings we sigdo!- in the back of this issue. EV FORUM, SMART COMMUTING ...... 6 GeneralAwesome Factotum Saucegirl ...... MichelleGeorge HarrisonHarvey natureThis on issue New is Hampshire’s full of ways to House accomplish Bill just cates fromWhile thei love Jordan sports, Institute for me gardening for their also NEW FAST CHARGING NETWORK IN VT...... 5 1/8 Page horiz. 4.875 x 3 support of this bipartisan legislation, and I COMMUNITY NEWS ...... 6 7 CopyWeb EditorEditors ...... George Harvey,Ray Daniel Brewster Hoviss 205,that the- with Jordan our main Institute feature is all preparing about Building to Brings me such contentment and wonderful BETTER FUEL EFFICIENCY THIS SUMMER...... 6 am proud to sign it into law.” Design/Layout ...... Carrie Fradkin, Nancy Rae Mallery, launchEffi ciently, what willwhich soonis one become of the two a statewidebig issues organic food for the summer and winter that SOLAR FARMS; GREEN BIKES PROJECT ...... 7 Coordinating Director...... Michelle Harrison Municipalities that adopt the statute, RUSH HOUR IN COPENHAGEN...... 6 1/8 Page vert. 2.3125 x 6.1875 programthat we all to need provide to tackle attractive for a carbon-free financing for will be coming along. Our Agriculture section is RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION 8 17 WebPrinting Editors Valley...... News Lebanon,George NH Using Harvey, Recycled Michelle News-print Harrison & energy-efficiencyfuture. and renewable-energy RSAfull of53-F, great create info you special will enjoy assessment and fi nd dis helpful.- SMART COMMUTING...... 6 Smudge-Free Environmentally Safe Inks* tricts where commercial building owners COMMUNITYSOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS - WHOLESHARE ...... PROGRAM...... 8 127 1/6 Page 4.875 x 4.125 Design/Layout ...... Nancy Rae Mallery, P.J. Fischer (EE/RE)On projects the front in cover, existing you will privately read just owned how While we did not cover the terrible news Advertising: .....Nancy Rae Mallery, Bradford, VT 802.439.6675 canabout tie Michaelthe EE/RE Rupert’s project passing, financing we do towant the to G.E.T. TO KNOW YOUR SOLAR INSTALLERS ...... 8 [email protected] commercialsome are tackling buildings. this problem with the effi cient RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION ... 8-17 Printing Valley News Lebanon, NH Using Recycled News-print & make-overs in Rutland, Vt. A cover article also propertytake a moment as a special to honor assessment the legendary lien. life This that ...... Michelle Harrison, Londonderry, NH 603.437.0167 C-PACE, short for Property Assessed COMMUNITYSOLAR IS INEXPENSIVE SOLAR AVAILABLE ...... TO ALL VT-ERS.....108 1/4 Page vert. 4.875 x 6.1875 Smudge-Free Environmentally Safe Inks* Cleanhelps toEnergy simply financing the IPCC Report for Commercial and the climate singlehe devoted step allowsto what for he numerousforesaw for ourbenefits planet [email protected] MUNICIPALSOLARFEST SOLAR - 20 YEARS!- CAVENDISH, ...... VT...... 129 Advertising:...Nancy Rae Mallery, Bradford, VT 802.439.6675 buildings,mitigations addresses that we need numerous to take note obstacles of and DO including:and our future before many of us even had a ...... Dana Rubin, Burlington,[email protected] VT 802.922.6534 dana@ • repayment terms up to 30 years. MUNICIPALGEOTHERMAL SOLAR & -MICROHYDRO NORWICH, VT...... NEWS ...... 149 1/4 Page horiz. 10 x 3 greenenergytimes.org thatsomething have made about. comprehensive EE/RE clue. I know that he was responsible for opening ...... Michelle Harrison, Londonderry, NH 603.437.0167 projectsSolar rare is feverishly historically, moving especially forward in with New • mynon-accelerating eyes, from an old A.M. payments Coast to at Coast time a of good SOLARWIND: UP NH...... 10-11 ...... Vicki Moore, Danville, VT 802.748.2655 property sale. [email protected]@greenenergytimes.org Hampshire.examples all over the region -- beit on a com- 15 yrs ago. It made me cry with horror of the BRATTLEBORO’SWHY VT & NOT KANSAS? SOLAR SUMMER ...... 1215 1/3 Page horiz. 10 x 4.125 • futurein some that we cases, are notit can facing. be off I only balance hope that ...... DonnaMary Stein Yuryan,, New Keene, York, NY NH 212.307.6189 603.762-9314 munityHB 205 scale, originally homes, assought well as to businesses prohibit - it’s OFFGRID ... IN THE CITY?...... 14 happening! We have a lot of great news about sheet.he understood the impact he had on so many INCENTIVES ...... 16 17 [email protected]@greenenergytimes.org for-profit entities from participating in the VT STATEWIDE SOLAR TOURS...... 15 1/2 Page horiz. 10 x 6.1875 ...... Bill Driscoll, Bath, NH 603.747.2160 programsolar, wind because and some of exciting NH Constitutional info for micro- ofNew us. If Hampshire’syou never read C-PACE his book program , Collapse , I HEATING & COOLING ...... 18 ...... Aubrey Cabot-Case,[email protected] Peacham, VT 802.778.0906 concernshydro, for –all municipalities of you with a potential providing site. loans requiresrecommend certain reading quality-control it or watching standards the video. INCENTIVES … 16-17 [email protected] SHADE + SHADING _$AVINGS ...... 19 ...... George Keller, So. Randolph, VT 802.763.7472 to for-profitBut, summer entities is not is allcounter about work.to the We intent toIt ensurewas printed that by the our energy own local savings Chelsea from Green RE-POWERING NEW YORK...... 18-19 1/2 Page vert. 4.875 x 12.5625 BUILDINGS FOR OUR FUTURE - FEATURE! ...... 20-24 Distribution: Roslyn Moore,[email protected] Mona Sweat, George Plumb, Bill ofmust Article not forget5, Section to G.E.T. 2 of Outdoors! the Constitution. There are thePublishing project Co. are more than the repayment, RESILIENT COMMUNITY: GREENFIELD, MA...20- 21 meaning that building owners will have ...... Pearson, MartyBrendan Philbrick, D’angelo, Larry Plesant,CT River Jessica Valley Goldblatt, 802.683.5226 Deb Manymany C-PACEtopics that programs you might across fi nd interesting the country to Last but not least: G.E.T. going to SolarFest! ENERGYGREEN BUILDERS EFFICIENCY IN ...OUR 22-23 MIDST ...... 21 2/3 Page 10 x 8.25 [email protected] help you survive the season that is upon us. betterCongratulations buildings to and them improved for 20-years cash of flow.helping DeMoulpied, Michael Clark, Larry Chase, Jon Ford, Irving Web- provide financing through municipal RADIANTWINDOWS; FLOOR BUILDING HEATING SCIENCE...... 22-2322 ster,Distribution: Hippo Distribution, Roslyn Moore, Manchester, Mona Sweat, NH; NY George Team, Plumb, and new: Bill Vacationing and playing locally is a great way - • to Anadvance energy solar audit in our before state theand projectbeyond. starts It’s a bonds, taxpayer funds, or line items on en LOW HANGING FRUIT-NEW COLUMN ...... 24 Full Page 10 x 13 PikaPearson, Energy MartyTeam, Philbrick,Portland, Larry ME. Hopefully Plesant, Jessica we have Goldblatt, not forgotten Deb ergyto keep bills. emissions The NH lower. C-PACE From program hiking, tois biking,being willgreat determine way to combine historic play baseline and education energy use,and HEAT PUMP CLOTHES DRYERS ...... 23 DeMoulpied, Michael Clark, Larry Chase, Patty Kenyon, Lighthouse appropriate energy projects, and the NEWS, CLUES, & PRODUCT REVIEWS 25 toDistribution, mention anyone. Portsmouth, It is your NH... help Hopefully that spreads we have the way not forgottento a sus- designedcamping, picnicing,to only use swimming, private it’sinvestment, right here - relax and dance the night away with music that THE POINT OF NO RETURN...... 24 to mentiontainable, anyone. resilient It planet is your … help starting that spreads here in the the way northeast! to a sustain- nowhere public we live,funds. and That work. said, We AREit is theunderstood ‘greener’ on anticipatedwill probably savings-to-investment not let you stay seated outratio. there NEWS,ENERGY CLUES EFFICIENCY: & BOOK REVIEWSPP 26 27 ...... 25 • Building commissioning during the ableThank planet, you starting all herefor yourin the northeast!help! that publicly funded rebates and incen- under the stars. G.E.T. will be there this year BOOKWEATHERIZATION REVIEW: D’ACRES IN NH PERMACULTURE ...... 2526 Thank you all for your help! tives will be very important to reduce projectand we will are lookingensure thatto help measures them celebrate are all BOOK REVIEW: DRIVING OUR FUTURE...... 25 ABOUTABOUT G.E.T.G.E.T. capital costs for most C-PACE projects. installedof their hard correctly. work and eff orts. There is only one SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: PG 28 30 WithA common New ground De found,nition interested of • SolarFest.Energy If use you monitoring have never been and verificationthere before, BOOKSTART REVIEW: A VEGGIE PLASTIC-FREE GARDEN ANYWHERE...... 2528 2 Green Energy Times is produced by 100% solar power, off-grid after the project is completed will prove out with a 3.8 kW PV system. We live and know that Energy Inde- parties rewrote the statute to eliminate the this is the year to make it happen! BUILDINGEMERGING EFFICIENCY FRONTIERS:GRASS ... 26-29 ...... 29 authoritySUSTAINABLE for NH’s municipalities to provide that the project performs as designed. DEEP ENERGY RETROFIT-MOISTURE...... 26 pendence is indeed possible - with clean, sustainable renewable PERMACULTURE ...... 30 energy along with reducing your needs. We walk the talk! projectSustainable financing. means This that step the was people warmly liv- These steps provide comfort to building NET-ZERO RETROFIT IN MONTPELIER...... 27 Our mission is to create Energy Awareness, Understanding received by legislators and passed both owners and investors and will raise the bar SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION...... 31 ing in a given politically or geograph- HOMEBUYERS WANT ENERGY EFFICIENCY....28 and Independence - Socially Responsible Living. the NH House and NH Senate by voice on performance outcomes by the EE/RE Yellow Black Yellow Magenta Cyan ically defined area do not live beyond TEACHING TEENS; INDIAN MUSEUM ...... 31 Solar Power works! … anywhere! under the sun! votes and without any audible objections. contractor community. RENEWAIRE - POWERED BY WIND...... 29 the limits of the renewable resources CLIMATE CHANGE PG 32 G.E.T. is published bi-monthly, Feb.15, Apr. 15, Jun.15, Aug. 15, Such unanimity is rare in these bodies and Jordan Institute is working with selected SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE … 30-32 Oct. 15 & Dec.15, by NRM Advertising Company. It is free and of that area for either input (energy bodes well for rolling out the program. cities to adopt the program in 2015 with GROWINGREASON IN FOOD A DARK VS FUEL PLACE-BOOK...... REVIEW ....3032 available throughout 90% of VT & 80% of NH: the Upper Valley- and matter) or output (food, material St.J.down to Brattleboro,Windsor-Ludlow, Barre-Montpelier-Bur- After signing HB 205, Governor Mag- the plan of having template language THEIPCC 3 REPORTP’S OF PERMACULTURE -MITIGATION EXPLAINED...... 30 32 giegoods, Hassan and stated, absorption “As we workof pollution). to reduce available this fall for Town-Meeting towns lington, Stowe, Mooretown-Waitsfield, Morrisville, Hardwick, GARDENDINING TOOLS…IN THE - PRODUCT GREEN REVIEW ARIANA’S...... 3133 Danville, NEK, Grand Isle, Woodstock-Rutland-Bennington; NH: energyThey costs purchase and buildor trade a more from affordable, environ- to consider adopting next March. By 2017, Woodsville-Hanover-W. Leb.-Plainfield, Enfield-Claremont, reliablementally and consciousinnovative sources energy for future, those we Jordan Institute expects the program to MICROGARDENINGRESOURCES: PG 34...... 32 Keene-Concord-Plymouth-Laconia, Littleton, & towns in between, know that a successful long-term strategy be available widely. Building owners, EE/ SUSTAINABLEGUIDE TO ADVERTISERS EDUCATION ...... … 33 34 Greenfield Center, MA. New: Rye & Portsmouth, NH necessities that cannot be locally sat- must include stepping up our energy ef- RE contractors, and municipal officials HYBRID WIND-SOLAR FOR A SCHOOL...... 33 If you would like to have G.E.T. available somewhere you have not isfied. They live both in numbers and INGRED.OF MONTH - PLASTIC ...... 35 ficiencyin a manner efforts that and allows supporting present small-scaleand interested in participating in this program FRIENDS SCHOOL OF PORTLAND...... 33 seen it, let us know! should contact the Jordan Institute. SUNSCREEN RECIPE ...... 35 G.E.T. is also online at www.greenenergytimes.org. cleanfuture energy generations projects. of New all life Hampshire’s in that Jordan Institute is partnering on NH RESOURCESSUSTAINABLE & CLASSIFIEDS LIVING PP 36 39: … 34 We encourage you to patronize our advertisers. We strive to selec- PACEarea program to enjoy has a healthy the potential habitat to over boost local energy efficiency and clean energy C-PACE with Sustainable Real Estate Solu- BUSINESS LISTINGS...... 34 tively include trust-worthy services & products. G.E.T. cannot be the long term. FOOD COOPS; HOME, SWEET DREAMING ...... 36 held responsible for advertising claims. efforts that are critical to reducing energy tions, the NH Community Development GUIDE TO ADVERTISERS...... 34 GRILLING; GREENING OF EYECARE ...... 37 Please support our advertisers. Keep it Local! costsAdopted for municipalities, by the Executive businesses Committee, and VT Finance Authority, and Resilient Buildings INGRED.OF MONTH: ELECTRONIC CRACK...... 35 Chapter of the Sierra Club on Apr11, 2014. Group. For more information about the SUSTAINABLE SPORTS PG 38 39 To advertise in G.E.T. contact Account Executives listed above. homeowners, and protecting our natural DEALING WITH TICKS IN 2015...... 35 By advertising in Green Energy Times or sponsoring us, resources. House Bill 205 will make it easier New Hampshire C-PACE Program, go to The same or very similar de nition has IT’SKEEP A GREENYOUR EVENT LIFE AFTER OUT OF ALL LANDFILL … 35-39: ...... 38 you not only help to create energy awareness, understanding and for alsoour beenmunicipalities adopted by: to Vermonters secure private for fi- www.jordaninstitute.org. independence for a sustainable future, but also help to support SUSTAINABLEG.E.T. OUTDOORS! SPORTS ...... … 36 39 our efforts to make it all happen! 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to homeowners and people who run to power lighting and equipment. Solar small businesses. panels, micro-hydro, and other power At the heart of the microgrid is a tech- sources can be handled similarly. And all nology they call RebusTM. This is what these operations can happen simultane- they call an “energy operating system.” It ously. The X3001 inverter is rated at three allows a number of inputs, from different kilowatts and weighs about 26 pounds. kinds of electrical sources, to be connect- The announcement of the new Tesla ed with a variety of different loads and Powerwall batteries seems to have come storage interfaces. The same wires used as no surprise to the people at Pika Ener- to transmit power also conduct informa- gy. When Elon Musk announced the Pow- tion among the pieces of equipment, erwall, Pika announced the equipment providing a level of intelligence that rises they would provide to support it. Pika’s above other systems. new product is a 7.5 kW grid-tie inverter High Efficiency Wood Pellet and The Rebus system operates at 380 with islanding capabilities. It provides an Dry Chip Boiler Systems volts, providing a level of efficiency that is all-in-one solution for small microgrids unmatched in small systems. This means that had multiple electrical sources, such that power can be distributed over much as wind, solar, and others. The technology longer distances than had previously allows the energy produced at the home been used. Multiple conversions between can be used, stored, or sold to the grid. AC and DC power, each of which reduces Pika Energy President Ben Polito said, the efficiency of the whole system, are “Tesla’s announcement of an affordable A single inverter works with both solar photovol- also eliminated. An additional benefit is battery solution for homes is an excit- Design taics and wind power. This system is in Gorham, that the wire used for the system can be ing development in the home energy Maine. Photo courtesy of Pika Energy. lighter, and therefore of lower cost, than industry.” He added “It highlights the need wires of typical DC systems. for intelligent, bi-directional inverter solu- Install Pika Energy is a company that started At the heart of the system is an inverter. tions, and Pika Energy’s inverter products up about five years ago near Portland, Pika's first model is the impressive X3001 fill that gap. Our microgrid product suite Service Maine. It was founded by two engineers Hybrid Inverter, which is particularly perfectly complements high performance who met while they were studying at MIT. suited to grid-tie systems. It’s bi-direction- batteries with affordable, smart electron- Fuel The company is focusing on the design al Incoming power from the grid can be ics, to capture and manage clean energy and manufacture of equipment that is converted from AC, 240 volts to DC, 380 to power our homes.” particularly suited for microgrids. They are volts and sent to a battery charge control- Learn more at Pika's website,which is also working primarily with small systems, ler. Incoming power from wind turbines www.pika-energy.com, or you can reach especially those that would be of interest can similarly be converted from DC to AC, them at 207-887-9105. SOLARIZE Dummerston GMP to offer Tesla home Batteries! OPEN HOUSE IN DUMMERSTON, VT Distributed storage solution will increase resiliency and deliver reliable, cost-effective energy solutions to customers Solarize Dummerston Open House Tuesday, June 30, 2015 Green Mountain Power has announced rooftop panels, to store locally generated Storm Irene and the Nor’icane, and we ap- 6:00 to 8:00 pm that it will be one of the first energy com- energy, or it can be used without solar as preciate all the work GMP is doing to help Dummerston Grange. panies in the country to offer Tesla’s new a battery to store power from the grid. increase reliability and resiliency in our All are invited. home battery, the Powerwall, to custom- During a storm or emergency, the battery community through energy innovation, as ers. Tesla, best known for its groundbreak- is able to power essential parts of the with this new Tesla home battery offer.” Please tell your friends, and neighbors! ing, fully electric cars, is taking its electric home such as lights, a refrigerator, and To learn more about the Tesla batteries, energy storage expertise to the next level furnace. GMP will partner with customers go to http://bit.ly/Tesla-battery. The Dummerston Grange is at 1008 with this energy storage solution for the to utilize the batteries during peak energy For more information go to bit.ly/GMP- East-West Rd. You can see where this is by home. times to lower costs directly for customers powerwall-overview. visiting http://bit.ly/find-Dummerston- This exciting innovation in battery by reducing transmission and capacity Grange. technology is part of delivering on Green costs. There will multiple area’s set up in the Mountain Power’s mission to deliver “This is a great example of how Ver- Grange Hall, both upstairs and down, with cost-effective, low carbon and reliable mont is leading the way with real-world space reserved for each installer to have a energy solutions for its customers. The solutions to a more sustainable future,” presentation area, as will financial institu- technology will empower customers to said Powell. “We want to create a new tions, local banks and credit unions. become more energy independent while definition of resiliency, where we move The installers will have a 15 minute pre- also allowing the company to reduce peak away from the 100-year-old grid system sentations in their area to allow leads to demand on the system, providing cost to a new electric system where energy is cycle through each presentation, followed savings to all of its customers. generated and used closer to home.” and preceded by opportunity for Q&A or “We are excited to bring Tesla’s Pow- GMP will begin receiving Powerwalls one on one. These installers will be there: erwall to our customers. The Powerwall in October and rapidly deploy them to Soveren Solar 6:30-6:45 offers greater energy independence for customers in Rutland, the Energy City Integrated Solar at 6:50-7:05 customers, and offers GMP an opportuni- of the Future, and then statewide. GMP ty to reduce peak demand on our system, will partner with customers by offering Solaflect 7:10-7:25 which saves our customers money,” said product incentives combined with on-bill • A solarize Dummerston slide show GMP President and CEO Mary Powell. financing to ensure customers can access and handouts describing the program. “This is a great example of how GMP, as these products and deliver the full value • There will be a kiosk for people to sign Vermont’s Energy Company of the Future, they bring to the grid. up on the web site. is empowering customers to have more “This is another important step in put- • We will have Snacks and drinks. control over their energy choices while ting Vermont and Rutland on the map as So if you are at all interested in going saving money and increasing reliability.” energy leaders,” said Rutland Mayor Chris solar and want to get the Solarize The Tesla home battery can be paired Louras. “We have seen some devastat- Single Tesla battery. Photo courtesy of Tesla. discount with small-scale solar systems, such as ing storms in the city, including Tropical … PLEASE JOIN US! 4 June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 TRANSPORTATION Commuting for Work & Recreation Massachusetts DOT Things you can Do During your Commute Going Solar on Green Energy Times Staff What do you do while you are commuting? Do you have a job with no home- the Highways Some people spend their commut- work? That is okay. ing time staring at the road, gripping a Enjoy the ride. Are wheel, and getting stressed. Often they you a ditch digger? are either too sleepy, because they just Try reading Pride got up, or too frazzled from the stress of and Prejudice, the day to drive well. Most people, if they you will find it a think about it, will find neither of these is refreshing change really necessary, because they can greatly of pace. Have you reduce their driving. So to answer the already read Pride and Prejudice? Read question, we came up with a list of things it again; it really does get better on each to do while you are on your way to or new reading. Of course, there so many from work – while you leave the driving to novels and other pieces of great literature someone else. to read that it can be guaranteed that you Do you want to get ahead in life? Try will never run out. View of the Mass Pike near Stockbridge, Massachusetts. doing your homework. Are you a lawyer? Perhaps you want to keep up with the Photo by ToddC4176. Wikimedia Commons. Bring a file of material relating to a case. news. You could read a newspaper going Are you a student? If so, you have lots of to work, and Green Energy Times going By Thaddeus Rumple options of things you could be doing for home. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT) is getting into the business of homework. Are you a journalist? Bring Some people really don’t enjoy reading, running solar systems. It is putting in photovoltaic arrays at ten sites along state Route 3 notes and write a story. (Or better yet, of course, and they could bring along and Interstate 90. More sites are still under consideration for three additional arrays. work at home and avoid the commute a portable DVD player. But then, dear A goal of installing the solar systems is to have at least six megawatts of new solar altogether.) If you have any kind of job reader, you are probably not one of those. capacity. By doing this, the DOT says, it will be able to save taxpayers $15 million over the that requires that you do homework, do Another good choice might be to en- next twenty years. it on the commute and spend your home gage with people near by. Make friends. After a lengthy procurement process, the DOT decided to use Ameresco, Inc., a large time with the family. Talk about art history. Play games. In clean energy company with an office in Framingham, Massachusetts. Ameresco will pay If homework requires a connection to some places, groups of people spend the the DOT $17.50 per kilowatt for its use of the land, and provide it with the electricity it the internet, that might still be okay. A lot days’ commutes playing bridge, or even produces. It will recoup its investment through the state energy credits, federal incen- of vehicles have Wi-Fi aboard. Trains very poker. tives, and the sale of electricity to the DOT, which it will deliver at a discounted rate. commonly have Wi-Fi aboard, and very Of course, you could just watch the The electricity at the ten sites under construction, combined with that from three sites often supply AC power for riders to plug countryside go by. Or you could sleep. being considered, is expected to total about 7.8 million kilowatt hours each year. That is their computers in. If you are among the thousands of peo- enough to provide power for about 1,300 households and reduce carbon emissions by ple who believe they really need to about 3500 tons. drive a car, we might feel very sorry With the steep decline in the price of solar power it is hardly a surprise that such for you. But before we give up, we road-side projects are being built. When we consider the transportation systems in the should remind you that there are country, it is clear that solar systems built along highways can contribute an substantial other choices for nearly everybody. amount of energy to supply the needs of the nation. Car-pooling is one. Driving to a Park and Ride is another. Of course you can walk or ride RiDE. Don’t DRIVE! to public transit or ride-shares. You get health benefits along with the money you save. In any case, you can find value in the time you use to commute, providing you do not drive yourself. When you do that, it means that you get value instead of doing a job Bicycle parking at the Alewife MBTA station, Cambridge, Mas- for which you are not paid, driving Left: High capacity bus leaves the Ruggles MBTA station in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo by Adam E. Moreira. sachusetts Photo by ArnoldReinhold a car. Right: High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on an interstate highway. Photo by Mariordo.

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369 Miracle Mile, Exit 19 off I-89 (802) 388-7620 Lebanon, NH  (603) 448-6969 33 Seymour Street [email protected] Middlebury, VT 05753 Mon.-Fri. 8-5 • Sat. 8-Noon TRANSPORTATION WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June 15, 2015 5 A New Fast Charging Network for Vermont Established 1924 Together, Green Mountain Power of NRG. “The NRG EVgo network is the (GMP) and NRG are furthering Vermont’s only one in the nation that can charge grappone national leadership in sustainable all EVs on the road today. Vermont AUTOMOTIVE GROUP energy. Vermont is the first New England is a fantastic addition to the fastest- state to be added to NRG EVgo’s national growing DC fast-charging network in public fast-charging network for electric the nation.” vehicles (EVs), and GMP is the first utility GMP plans to incorporate EVs in its in the country to partner with the EVgo eHome program. The program also network. The first of the network’s charg- helps families improve their homes with ing stations, called “Freedom Stations,” energy efficiency and such clean energy are conveniently located in downtown technology as heat pumps, heat pump Rutland on Cottage Street. water heaters, solar power, weatheriza- This is the first comprehensive elec- tion, smart plugs, and technology to tric vehicle charging network in New control and track usage from anywhere. England. GMP and EVgo plan to install Rutland Mayor Chris Louras said of 12 Freedom Stations statewide this year, the Freedom Stations, “Transportation is increasing Vermont’s energy indepen- a critical component of a thriving com- dence and contributing to cleaner air munity. As more and more Vermonters and lower carbon emissions. Other loca- and visitors move to electric vehicles, tions will include Quechee, White River it’s vital that we have the infrastructure Junction and Waterbury. to support them.” “These new chargers represent the The EVgo Freedom Station is capable best in fast charging technology and we of providing approximately 80% of a are so pleased to be offering them in battery charge in 25 minutes when Rutland, the Energy City of the Future,” using the DC fast-charging option. The said Mary Powell, President and CEO of chargers also have level 2 capabilities Green Mountain Power. “Our goal is to that provide up to 24 miles of charge help Vermonters save money and reduce per hour. Customers can choose to fossil fuel use through innovative prod- pay as they go or sign up for various ucts and services like these chargers, all monthly charging subscriptions start- while continuing to provide highly reli- ing around $5.95 a month. able, clean and cost-effective power.” For more information about electric “NRG EVgo is excited to partner with vehicles and charging facilities across GMP to offer the first statewide DC fast- Vermont, visit GMP at: bit.ly/GMP- We Do Things charging network in New England,” said about-EVgo or NRG EVgo at nrgevgo. Denise Wilson, executive vice president com or driveelectricvt.com. Differently 40th Anniversary Mt. Washington Auto Road Collaboration Non commissioned sales staff – buy the car that’s right for YOU ALT ENERGY SUMMIT Educational approach to finance and additional products Transparency WELCOMING ALT ENERGY VEHICLES, PRODUCTS & SERVICES! Upfront pricing and negotiation free buying. Saturday, July 25, 2015 All the time. On every vehicle. Transparent trade evaluation with a written guarantee. The Alt Energy will showcase a full spectrum of both mainstream and newly-developed, alternative energy-based vehicles and technologies on July 25th, for demonstrations Peace of Mind and option to drive up to the summit of Mt. Washington, 3-day money back guarantee on any vehicle purchased the highest peak in the Northeast at 6,288ft! 30 day/1,000 mile exchange on all preowned vehicles FREE NH state inspections with us for the life of the vehicle

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1 Mt. Washington Auto Road, Gorham, NH grappone.com 514 - 594 Route 3A, Bow NH 866.982.9807 (603) 466-3988 AltEnergySummit.org 6 June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 TRANSPORTATION SMART COMMUTING IN NH & VT GET BETTER FUEL Transportation emissions are among the worst offenders that add to the rising CO2 EFFICIENCY THIS SUMMER levels in our atmosphere. In recent months we have learned that our efforts have begun to reduce the detrimental air quality counts (NHDES), but as you may have learned from by Doug Moss & Roddy Scheer numerous other reports such as the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), http:// Ah, the summer road trip, climatechange2013.org/, global warming is still advancing faster than expected. that classic American experi- How do we get our emissions down now? By making new commuting choices! ence. But long drives through LOTS OF CHOICES. Smart Commuting is all about knowing your options and plan- steamy weather can burn ning ahead. There are many choices to get around in New Hampshire and Vermont, The through a lot of gas and cause first place to start in Vermont is “Go Vermont” for statewide choices to travel more effi- untold wear and tear on your ciently. Whether getting around town, commuting to work or school, or planning a day car’s engine and systems while trip, share the driving or ride with someone else to help save our planet and to save putting you at risk for overheat- approx. $2,000 annually. The statewide VT site also lists services for commuters, tourist, ing. Doubling down on tactics and shoppers. to help your car run better will In New Hampshire you’ll find a similar site at “NH Rideshare” where you can find car- not only improve fuel effi- pools, transit routes and schedules, bike and walk trails and links to statewide transporta- ciency, but could also help you tion information. avoid spending a large chunk When carpooling, remember to use the local Park n Ride lots to meet your connec- of your vacation time in the If you take good care of your car this summer, it will take better care of tions. Start your trip planning at connectingcommuters.org or nh.gov/dot/programs/ breakdown lane waiting for a you on your big summer road trip. Credit: Kai Brinker, FlickrCC rideshare/ for statewide choices. tow. According to the American IN NEW HAMPSHIRE Automobile Association (AAA), is first started.” The website also reports UPPER VALLEY RIDESHARE (UVRS) - Carpool matching, benefits and support for com- that changing old dirty motor oil with a muters in/out of Upper Valley. 802-295-1824 x208. uppervalleyrideshare.com. there are lots of ways to conserve fuel on hot weather road trips that also will help fresh higher viscosity one will help keep ADVANCE TRANSIT (AT) – Free weekday bus for Lebanon, Hanover, Enfield, Canaan, NH, prolong the life of your car. “In summer, your car’s engine lubricated and running and Norwich and Hartford, VT. Dartmouth and DHMC Shuttles. ADA & Travel Training drive during cooler parts of the day,” smoothly on those summer road trips. Services. 802-295-1824. advancetransit.com reports the group. “Cooler, denser air can “For example, you might want to change CARROLL COUNTY TRANSIT - Services and connections to Belknap County. 888-997-2020 boost power and mileage.” from 5W-30 to 10W-30, 10W-40 or 20W-30 tccap.org/nct.htm While it may seem counterintuitive, for hot weather driving,” reports AA1car. using your car’s air conditioning is actually com. “Synthetic motor oils are even better CITY EXPRESS - Serves Keene. 603-352-8494 hcsservices.org/services/transportation/cityExpress. for high temperature protection.” php a smart idea in hot weather. “Today’s air conditioners create less drag on the en- Of course, some fuel saving tips apply COMMUNITY ALLIANCE TRANSPORTATION - Services for Claremont & Newport. 603- gine than driving with the windows open,” any time of year. For instance, jackrab- 863-0003 says AAA. Meanwhile, if you have a hybrid, bit starts are a big no-no; drivers should CONCORD AREA TRANSIT (CAT) - Serves Concord 603-225-1989 concordareatransit.org pre-cool it before you get in so it can de- always try to accelerate gradually. Taking vote more electricity to driving when you your foot off the gas as early as possible CONTOOCOOK VALLEY TRANSPORTATION (CVTC) - Monadnock Rideshare for the when approaching a red light is another southwest region 877-428-2882 cvtc-nh.org are out on the road. But don’t warm up (or pre-cool) a conventional car, as the extra way to save gas. Keeping filters clean, COOPERATIVE ALLIANCE FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION (CART) - Serving idling doesn’t do the car any good and maintaining recommended tire pres- the Chester, Derry, Hampstead, Londonderry, Salem and Windham, limited service to just wastes fuel and creates extra heat. sure and driving at the speed limit are Plaistow. 603-434-3569 cart-rides.org Another key tip for hot weather driving is additional ways to conserve fuel, reduce DARTMOUTH COACH - Services to Boston, Logan Airport and NYC 800-637-0123 dart- to park in the shade when you can. emissions and treat your ride nicely. mouthcoach.com The Green Car Reports website sug- Of course, summertime road trips can gests utilizing cruise control and overdrive also be hard on drivers and passengers, MANCHESTER TRANSIT AUTHORITY (MTA) - Manchester, with links to Nashua and so pack plenty of sunscreen — especially Concord. 603-623-8801 mtabus.org/services/local-buses features on cars that offer them on long summer roads trips; these features help if you plan to have the windows open NASHUA TRANSIT SYSTEM (NTS) - Buses and trolleys with bike racks. 603-888-0100 even out the energy demands of the en- (or top down)—and bring along a cooler RideBigBlue.com gine which in turn helps conserve fuel. with healthy drinks so everyone can stay WINNIPESAUKEE TRANSIT SYSTEM (WTS) - Services Belmont, Franklin, Tilton, Laconia. According to AA1car.com, a leading hydrated. 603-528-2496 bm-cap.org/wts.htm online information resource on auto Contacts: AAA, www.aaa.com; Green repair and maintenance, placing a sun- Car Reports, www.greencarreports.com; IN VERMONT shade under the windshield and crack- AA1car.com, www.aa1car.com. UPPER VALLEY TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (Vital Communi- ing the windows when parked can help EarthTalk® is produced by Doug Moss & ties) - Works with UV employers and communities to promote and improve commuting keep the interior cool between drives. Roddy Scheer and is a registered trade- options. 802-291-9100 vitalcommunities.org/transport/index.htm This can also “lighten the cooling load mark of Earth Action Network Inc. www. on the air conditioner when the vehicle earthtalk.org. [email protected]. VERMONT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC TRANSIT - Lists transit, ferries and more at aot.state.vt.us/PublicTransit/providers.htm AMTRAK - Long distance train service. Discounts for AAA members and student advantage card. (800) 872-7245 amtrak.com CHITTENDEN COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY - Burlington bus service with links to Montpelier, Middlebury and commuter route to Milton. cctaride.org RUSH HOUR IN COPENHAGEN CONNECTICUT RIVER TRANSIT - Services in Bellows Falls and Springfield. crtransit.org GO VERMONT - Offers carpool matching and commuter connections in VT 800-685- 7433 connectingcommuters.org GREEN MOUNTAIN RAILROAD - Day trips from White River, Champlain Valley, Bellows Falls and Rutland. rails-vt.com GREEN MOUNTAIN TRANSIT AGENCY - Local service in Barre, Montpelier, Grand Isle, Stowe and Lamoille. 802-223-7287 gmtaride.org GREY HOUND/VERMONT TRANSIT - Long distance bus services. 1-800-231-2222 grey- hound.com/ LAKE CHAMPLAIN FERRIES - Transport between New York and Vermont via Lake Cham- plain. 802-864-9804 ferries.com MARBLE VALLEY REGIONAL TRANSIT- For Rutland, Killington, rural Manchester, Poult- ney and Rutland to Bellows Falls. City routes Free on Saturday. 802-773-3244 thebus.com/ RURAL COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION (RCT) - Buses, vans, and volunteer drivers. Routes via The Jay-Lyn, The Highlander (Newport - Derby Line); The US RT2 Commuter (St. J. to Montpelier) and Free routes to rural areas. 802-748-8170 riderct.org STAGE COACH - Commuter buses from Randolph and Fairlee to Dartmouth, Local village buses. 800-427-3553 stagecoach-rides.org COMMUNITY & SOLAR WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June 15, 2015 7 wholeshare program Access to Healthy, Sustainable Products in New England By Rob Fish Northern New England families and small businesses which are dedicated to eating sustainably have a new option: Wholeshare. Wholeshare is an online mar- ketplace that helps communities increase their geographic and economic access to healthful, sustainable food at wholesale prices through collective purchasing. Groups are encouraged to add additional local products from area farmers, bakeries, and food hubs to the vast catalog of available products. Wholeshare groups perform as friendly neighborhood “pop-up grocery stores” where customers gain access to fresh local produce, meats, dairy, and grains from local farms, in addition to their favorite natural snack brands and sustainable household products. Not to be confused as merely an online farmer’s market, Wholeshare offers a full spectrum shopping solution for the entire grocery store. “I work 100% at my job and 120% as a mom and manager of my household,” said Kim Brearly, the Director of Busi- ness Development at Designbook, “I was Merry Kay Shernock, a member of the Montpelier- actively seeking healthy, affordable and based, Capital City Grange group, spreads the love time-saving solutions to eliminate at least with a heart-shaped eggplant she picked up at her one of the four grocery stores I now visit Wholeshare pickup. to stock up my household. I started a Wholeshare group in our office and not health practitioners use Wholeshare to only have I found affordable, organic food provide another service to their health and household objects that are delivered conscious clients. Farmers are even using to my work, but I also found some great Wholeshare to augment their CSAs and a organic lollipops for my daughter’s fifth provide a product year round to increase birthday party!” retention. Wholeshare operates on the idea that “Wholeshare’s commitment to making all people should have access to local, local and organic food accessible is what organic products. The collective purchas- attracted us to them,” said Kelly McElheny, ing model enables customers to save Founding Director of the Southshire Com- more money and purchase foods that munity Market. “We look forward to work- they might otherwise have trouble find- ing with Wholeshare to fulfill the purchasing at their local grocery store. Customers ing needs of our start-up food co-op.” WHOLESHARE PARTNERSHIP are aware of where their food is coming To start a group in your community, from and whether the food is organic, fair sign up at http://www.wholeshare.com/ trade, or certified kosher. Natural food vtfoodbank. For every new group that stores and co-ops often form groups places an order between now and the end WITH THE VT FOOD BANK as way to expand their offerings and of July, Wholeshare will donate 150 meals to the Vermont Food Bank. Wholeshare believes that everyone provide meals for Vermonters in need increase foot traffic into their stores. Com- should have access to fresh, healthful of food help,” said John Sayles, Vermont munity organizations use their Whole- Rob Fish is the Director of Outreach for food. As part of Wholeshare’s dedication Foodbank CEO. “This year the Foodbank share commission as a way to fundraise Wholeshare. He lives in Montpelier and can to sustainable, natural food they have will provide enough food to feed 153,000 while supporting their community-fo- be reached at 802-540-5210 or rob.fish@ partnered with the Vermont Foodbank of our neighbors, work that we couldn’t cused missions. Yoga studios and holistic wholeshare.com. to increase food access across the state. do without the generous support of busi- For every new group that places an nesses like Wholeshare.” order between now and the end of July, To start a group in your community, Wholeshare will donate 150 meals to the sign up at http://www.wholeshare.com/ Vermont Foodbank. Half of these dona- vtfoodbank” tions will go directly to the Vermont Food- bank in Barre and the remaining meals will be given to network partners in each of the new Wholeshare group’s surrounding communities. The Vermont Foodbank nurtures partner- ships like these in hopes that no one in Vermont will go hungry. With multiple locations around the state, the Foodbank is gathering and sharing food to a network of 225 food shelves, meal sites, shelters, senior centers, and after-school programs throughout Vermont. “We are thrilled to be partnering “The Wholeshare platform offers users local product recommendations as well as easy navigation to any product with Wholeshare as ‘splits’ that the group is ordering.” Photo: Rob Fish. they raise money to

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Cyan Magenta Yellow Black COMMUNITY POWER WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June 15, 2015 9 Cavendish Solar Norwich,Vt Municipality Installs 148 kW Solar System Without Financial Assistance! By Peter LaBelle , Cavendish Energy Committee Community Power By George Harvey handouts. The present- ers concentrated on the News has come that the town of Nor- powered by renewable sources. The deci- dollar savings that could wich, Vermont has achieved a remarkable sion to retire the RECs was considered by be expected over time. goal. All of its municipal buildings are the Energy Committee and approved by While financing costs are powered 100% from local solar power. The the town government. being paid, the savings town will immediately benefit by a reduc- Linda Gray, who is on the Norwich En- are substantial, and once tion in costs of electricity of about $2000 ergy Committee, says the committee has the financing is paid off, per year, and once the cost of the system is spent years pushing solar systems. The first power will be virtually paid down, its electricity will be practically thing they did to get the municipal build- free. free, saving $20,000 per year. ings powered by solar was to look into Cavendish had an un- The solar system was installed by Solaf- having some organization both finance used slope alongside the lect, a local manufacturer of an inventive and install solar photovoltaics. This proved The Cavendish, VT 148kW PV array is truly hidden. Folks in town want to know waste-water treatment solar tracking system that reduces system unsuccessful, because it did not produce a where it is and how they can see it. Photo courtesy of Peter LaBelle. plant. It could not be costs. While it is certain Norwich is the first good enough deal for the town. seen from the road or any community in Vermont to have 100% of The committee wanted not only to houses, so there was little its municipal power from solar power, Bill reduce the carbon footprint of the town, On April 20, 2015, a 148 kW solar photovol- objection to using it for a solar array. The final Bender, CEO of Solarflect, believes it may but to reduce its costs. While a solar taic (PV) array was dedicated in Cavendish, Town Meeting vote was overwhelmingly in in fact be the first in New England. system that had its RECs retired was part Vermont. Many New England towns are favor of the bond. The following day, the town Bender wants to be very clear on what of the process, a way had to be found to jumping on the solar power bandwagon, but issued a request for proposals. Ultimately, the it means to be re- do it economically. Cavendish is distinguished as a tiny town that Select Board chose Prudent Living of Windsor, newably powered. By doing its own did alone. Voters approved a bond and the Vermont to build the array. We live in an era financing and work- town contracted for and installed the system Construction began almost immediately when credit for ing with Solaflect, without other financial assistance. What is dif- and progressed quickly because some incen- being renewable the committee was ferent about this community solar array is that tives would be lost if the project were not can be bought and able to accomplish all benefits will accrue to Cavendish. completed by December 31st. Land clearing sold in the form what it had set out The project took several years was completed in September, of renewable en- to do for the town’s from concept to power generation, The fencing began, and materials were ergy credits (RECs). buildings. but now provides enough electricity municipal solar delivered in October. Construc- Many organiza- The committee to offset what is used in the town system provided tion started in November. Prudent tions, especially has pushed the office, the transfer station, the water a positive cash flow Living worked through cold and utilities, face legal community into filtration plant and the waste water snow to complete the project over requirements that Solarize campaigns from the moment the some percentage for some time. The treatment plant. electricity was put a week early. The Cavendish Energy Committee As of the first week in May, 2015, of their power Solaflect dual axis suspension PV trackers were used elementary school started by considering installers who into the grid! the municipal solar PV system had come from renew- to make clean, renewable energy for the town build- and the town would provide outside financing. made more than 50,000 kWh of able sources. If they ings in Norwich, Vermont. Photo courtesy of Solaflect. library, neither of The savings from this turned out to electricity. Peter LaBelle, a member cannot produce which is a munici- be too small, so the plan fell through. of the Cavendish Energy Committee, com- enough renewable energy themselves, pal building, have both moved toward Then the committee started studying the mented, “The cost savings have not been they buy RECs from those who can. This renewable solar power. The committee has finances. They found that at current bond rates determined yet, since the power allocations encourages others who might otherwise also enabled local organizations and busi- the town could finance the entire project and among the net-metered accounts are still be- not do so to produce renewable energy nesses to have and use solar power. One when incentives were included in the calcula- ing tweaked. But you can get an idea based on and sell RECs. Bender’s point is that if you organization that has worked on this is tion, the savings would be significantly greater GMP rates and the kWh produced.” have solar power and you sell the RECs, Dan and Whit’s general store, whose array than the financing cost. Cavendish will continue working on energy. you are selling the right to take credit for of twenty panels was installed by Renew In Vermont towns, any municipal bond must The town has joined with Weathersfield, Read- the renewable nature of the power you Solar. be approved by vote in the Town Meeting. ing, Windsor and West Windsor to participate produce. The municipal system in Norwich is not Since Vermont voters are notoriously careful in Solarize Upper Valley. There is a long way to Norwich, in creating the power it uses the first accomplishment of the town’s about approving bonds, the committee con- go for full energy independence, but Caven- from renewable sources, is creating RECs. Energy Committee, nor will it be the last. ducted town-wide informational meetings. dish is on the way. Because the town wants to take credit for We offer congratulations and look forward Finally, at town meeting, the committee Up-to-date information on how the Caven- the power it creates, it retires the RECs it to the next development. made a full presentation. They covered all as- dish solar array is performing is available at bit. creates, rather than selling them. So, the Many thanks to our Sponsor pects of the project with PowerPoint slides and ly/Cavendish-solar-array. town buildings of Norwich really are 100% If We Don’t Have It, You Don’t Need It!

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ing campaigns and media events promoting solar, to be Solar up New Hampshire carried out by the core local Solar Up NH is rolling and the sun is volunteer committees in shining. Community and public interest IS HAPPENING! each community. These local in participating in the first solarize pilot By Jack Munn core groups will be helped by project in the southern New Hampshire staff from the Southern NH region is gaining momentum and things The towns of Candia and Deerfield will Planning Commission, Smart are happening. Since rolling out this new work together as a coalition working with Power (a national marketing project, a total of seven communities have Granite State Solar. company), the NH Sustain- been selected to participate among the Since selecting these communities, the able Energy Association, and region’s fifteen municipalities. A request telephones and emails have been non- the Hillsborough County for information was released and six of the stop from residents asking for information Area Renewable Energy seven communities selected decided to and how they can sign up. The core local Initiative (HAREI). work together to form a coalition in carry- volunteer committees and leads have Most solarize programs ing out the two solarize campaigns. Each been established in each of the seven are designed specifically for town selected a solar installer to work communities to organize and imple- residential homeowners. with among many businesses that were ment the solarize campaigns and public However Solar Up NH is de- considered. The communities, solarize outreach events. If you have not heard of signed to also benefit small Communities participating in the Solar Up program rounds, and installers are as follows: solarize and Solar Up NH, don’t worry -- businesses, non-profit organizations, are highlighted. Photo credit: Southern New Hamp- Round One (June through Sept., 2015) you will as this program is spreading fast. churches and farm enterprises, includ- shire Planning Commission The towns of Bedford and Goffstown The basic idea is to lower the cost of ing municipalities. The solar installation will work together as a coalition working solar through group purchasing – the model promoted is direct ownership, but with NuWatt more people that sign up to go solar – the other forms of solar ownership, including More information about Solar Up NH The Town of Francestown will work with costs are lowered for everyone. Solar Up leasing and power purchase agreements can be found at http://solarupnh.com Milhouse Enterprises NH goals are to drive solar installation will also be considered. In addition, Solar or by contacting Jack Munn, Southern Round Two (Sept. through Dec., 2015) costs down 10 to 15% below market price Up NH will promote the use of solar loans New Hampshire Planning Commission at The towns of Derry and Chester will and double the number of solar users and other owner special financing. [email protected] or 603-669-4664. work together as a coalition working with in each community. This will be accom- Revision Energy plished through local solarize market-

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Independent performance certified (207) 887-9105 Grid-tie and solar hybrid options Learn more at pika-energy.com 12 JUNE 15, 2014 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS BRATTLEBORO’S ‘SOLAR SUMMER’! By George Harvey The program has financing available The other three will do home and busi- through the Vermont State Employees ness systems, but also have community Credit Union. There is also financing solar available. They are: through the Windham County Solar • Integrated Solar: Brattleboro, Vermont Loan Program, and this has special rates that will only last until the money in the 802-257-7493 program runs out. Depending on circum- • Soveren Solar: Putney, Vermont stances, the rates will range from 0% to 802-869-2500 5%. The financing is calculated so Brattle- • Sunnyside Solar Store: Brattleboro, boro Solar Summer participants should be Vermont 802-376-3838 able to see reduced costs from the start. The 30% federal tax credit for the cost The first step for those interested of solar installations is available for the in participating is to arrange for a site program. Anyone who is thinking of put- evaluation, which is free. ting a switch to solar power off should The web site for Brattleboro Solar Summer is consider that the credits end in 2016. www.brattleborosolarsummer.org. Paul Cameron, Brattleboro’s Energy Contact Paul Cameron at 802-251-8135. Coordinator, said, “There has never been a Brattleboro, Vermont. Photo by Ken Gallager. Placed into the public domain by the author. better time to go solar because the price of solar has dropped 50% in the past two to three years.” As usual, Brattleboro, Vermont, is doing The goal of the program is to get a hun- In addition, he pointed things a little differently. Brattleboro Solar dred new installations in Brattleboro. out that this program SO Summer is in most ways similar to the All five installers will do home and makes purchase now SIDE LAR S Solarize programs seen elsewhere, but business systems, including installa- especially attractive, and NY TO with a twist. In most Solarize programs, tions at multi-unit buildings. This is true quite possibly better than UN RE there is a single installer. In some there is a whether the system is ground-mounted waiting for the price to S PROUD PARTNER IN BRATTLEBORO different installer for each type of instal- or roof-mounted. In addition, three of the drop further. SOLAR SUMMER PROGRAM! lation. Putney, for example, had different installers will do community solar systems Two of the installers in installers for home-based photovoltaic for people without good solar sites of the program will do home systems, a community solar garden, and their own. and business systems only: Tuesdays - Saturdays solar thermal water systems. In Brattle- When a lot of people have solar systems • Gary MacArthur Solar 10am - 6pm boro, there are five installers, giving the installed at the same time, there is an Marlboro, Vermont 499 Marlboro Road residents of the community choices. advantage in the combination of purchas- 802-257-7026 Brattleboro, VT The program is the product of the ing power. So there will be discounts for • Solar Source 802-376-3838 town’s Climate Protection Committee and the customers depending on how many Keene, New Hampshire sunnysidesolar.com the Energy Committee. It was launched people participate. The discounts will 603-352-4232 on May 1, and will continue until Sept. 30. range from $50 to $200 per kilowatt. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 JUNE 15, 2014 13 Free Fuel Deliveries From the Fuel that Lasts Forever

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Rich Nicol Owner - Designer - Installer www.solartechvt.com • 802-467-3500 • [email protected] 14 June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 RENEWABLE ENERGY Off-Grid in the City By Maggie Williams As electrical utilities across the country The first option is to take a home com- continue to increase rates and cut back pletely off the grid. To disconnect from on solar incentive programs, more people the utility, a large solar array and battery than ever are taking their homes off the are needed to power the home, plus a grid -- gaining in energy independence, generator is recommended for backup. financial stability, and alleviating the Going off the grid may require some headache of dealing with the local electric power consumption sacrifices, so using company. energy-efficient appliances is important. Advances in solar and battery storage For the homeowner who is interested make going off-grid more viable than in reducing his or her dependence on the ever before, and there are several off-grid grid using a solar and battery system, but options depending on the desired level of does not want to completely disconnect grid independence. from it, the second option is called “grid backup” or “grid zero.” Grid backup is designed to optimize the use of renewable electricity and battery storage. If additional electricity is needed, the inverter (which converts direct current from batteries to alternating of setup gives the homeowner flexibility long period of time, it can be hard to find current similar on the size of array and battery, since all fuel for a generator. A solar-and- battery- to what the electrical loads do not need to be covered backup system can run a homeowner’s grid provides) by their home PV system. critical loads without him or her ever hav- automatically Grid backup is also a good option for ing to leave in search of fuel. engages the the homeowner who is looking for a solar Batteries are essential to going off the grid to help and battery system to keep the lights on grid, as they store the surplus energy a support the Cadillac, Mi - wind and solar compatible battery . Photo courtesy of Iron Edison. when the grid goes down. In an emer- solar array creates during the day for use loads. This type gency where the grid could go down for a at night. The most common battery that cont’d on p. 35 Black -

cont’d on p. 34 on p. cont’d 15 15, 2015 June the Ground Adjust Tilt from Tilt Adjust First Time FirstEver… Time More than 40 systems are anticipated anticipated are than 40 systems More of values of the immeasurable “One Center, which has a 150kW system power has a 150kW system which Center, ing its operations. participate and a growing to in the day . Many here map can be found statewide refreshments, will host sites featured or other entertainment.Other music, include community planned solar events installa- solar walking of residential tours yoga. golf and on-site miniature tions, of our is the strength Vermont living in have now We communities.

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across the state on Saturday, June 20, the June 20, the Saturday, on the state across solstice. of the summer weekend spring and open art in studio weekend the summertime the fall, will give tours the opportunity get an up- to Vermonters learn about to close view of solar systems out Vermont will be open for public tours public tours be open for will Vermont out in June. Saturday the third

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Contact [email protected] Contact INCENTIVES is 25% of the project cost up to $20,000. up to is 25% of the project cost the lesser of 15% up to $0.50 per watt $15,000 of 35% up to Incentives $2,500. up to is 20% of the project cost $1,500. up to is 20% of the project cost $1,000. up to is 50% of the project cost Rebates for solar electric/thermalsolar - for proj Rebates of25% or AC SolarNew $0.75/Watt = PV or AC Expanded Solar PV = $0.50/Watt systems Solar thermal for = $0.12/kBtu = $0.040/kBtu/ Thermal Expanded Solar in combination Maximum incentive based on $1500 - $1900 per system These are offered on a town-by-town town-by-town on a offered are These also has passed PACE state The Contact [email protected] Contact • 30% of installed system up to $6k up to • 30% of installed system • Must meet thermal efficiency and par LOCAL INCENTIVES LOCAL ENERGY RENEWABLE OFFERED INCENTIVES THE THROUGH NH ELECTRIC CO-OP ticulate emissions standards ticulate [email protected] Contact or – Sustainable Energy www.puc.nh.gov information 603-271-2431 for more tel. and current program status PLEASE Check for UPDATEs With NHEC. With UPDATEs Check for PLEASE Commercial Solar Thermal Water) (Hot • Solar PV Commercial • or $20,000 of installed cost Program Fuel Fossil Commercial • SolarResidential PV • Water SolarResidential Hot • Heaters Water Pump Heat • Residential Solar PV Rebate Program SolarResidential PV Rebate • ects or less (or thermal 100kW equivalent) • is less. whichever project cost, total • is less. whichever project cost, 25% of total • - sys ( $0.12/kBtu for of 15 collectors or fewer 15 collectors) than or 25% of of greater tems is less. whichever project cost, total • is whichever project cost, total of 25% or yr less. • in Rebate received: with other incentives or grants with other rebates combination utility the or other programs, from received pro local or federal including other state, 40% of the total shall not exceed grams, (Does federal include not system the of cost tas credits). Heating Water SolarResidential Program Rebate • output annual system Boiler or Furnace Pellet Wood property provide tax exemp Some towns $50,000. An additional 30% up to a maxi- 30% up to additional $50,000. An thermal stor for is available mum $5,000 or BTU must be 2.5 million Systems age. less www.bit.ly/ – visit renewables tions for NHtownRenewablesTaxBreaks • basis. • (property-assessed enabling clean energy) use to towns which will allow legislation clean finance mechanism to the PACE property projects through energy taxes. http://www.nh.gov/oep/programs/ Visit energy/pace/index.htm information. more for - - WWW.DSIREUSA.ORG UP TO DATE INCENTIVE INFO: INFO: INCENTIVE DATE TO UP 30% of the heating appliance(s) and appliance(s) 30% of the heating Less than or equal to 100 kW AC. 100 to than or equal Less or 25% of AC New Solar PV = $0.75/Watt or AC Expanded Solar PV = $0.50/Watt orthan less of size (total Thermal New than greater of size (total Thermal New or = $0.04/rated Thermal Expanded in combination Maximum incentive than and greater Maximum 500 kW AC of25% or AC SolarNew $0.65/Watt = PV or AC Expanded Solar PV = $0.30/Watt in combination Maximum incentive enroll in Residential New Construction in Residential enroll Vermont Electric and Coop Washington Strips – special Power Advanced on rebate $400 – up to Pump Pool meter Up” “Watts borrow – Meter Loan Contact [email protected] Contact NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY ENERGY RENEWABLE OFFERED INCENTIVES PUBLIC NH THE THROUGH COMMISSION UTILITIES Commercial Bulk Fuel-Fed Wood Wood Bulk Fuel-Fed Commercial Systems Heating Central Pellet • a maximum of up to cost, installation - lim availability, subject to *all rebates/incentives and incentives its and may change – for complete - and for participatingrequirements, retailers/contrac 888-921-5990 visit efficiencyvermont.com or call tors, Program Solar Rebate Commercial businesses, non-profits, open to Program and other non-residential public entities entities. 1: Category • • is less. whichever project cost, total • is less. whichever project cost, 25% of total • or 15 collectors) = $0.12/rated equal to or 25% of total modeled thousand Btu/year is less. whichever cost, • or modeled 15 collectors) = $0.07/rated cost, or 25% of total thousand Btu/year is less. whichever • or 25% ofmodeled thousand-Btu per year is less. whichever cost, total • in Rebate received: with other incentives grants or with other rebates combination the utility or other programs, from received pro local or federal including other state, 40% of the total shall not exceed grams, (Does federal include not system the of cost tas credits). 2: Category • 100 kW AC. • is less. whichever project cost, total • is less. whichever project cost, 25% of total • in Rebate received: with other incentives grants or with other rebates combination the utility or other programs, from received pro local or federal including other state, 40% of the total shall not exceed grams, (Does federal include not system the of cost tas credits). outside wood systems) - $1,000 systems) outside wood Construction New Residential • free and Service in incentives $2,000 – up to and expert rating home energy technical construction and throughout assistance label ENERGY STAR for eligible • also receive may customers Gas Systems (contactEV*) additional incentives Save Other OpportunitiesTo • participating at register at pricing/coupons retailers* • models qualifying ENERGY STAR • the electric measure ofto consumption appliances your - heating & hot water systems – see EV* systems & hot water heating AC and furnace central efficient energy boilers (excluding pellet wood central CFLs - select ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs - select ENERGY STAR – bulbs with special pricing/ LED’s insulation air sealing, improvements: rebate Dehumidifiers - $25 mail-in CEE for - $40 rebate Washers Clothes 2 Tier CEE for - $40 rebate Refrigerators or refrigerators second Working on Clothes Dryers $400 rebate - $50 to advanced pellet heating systems -- up toup -- systems heating pellet advanced www.rerc-vt.org Visit or call (877)888-7372 http://rerc-vt.org/incentives/index.htm http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives have an annual budget up to $100,000 up to an annual budget have of $250-$1,000 and grants “Seed” www.grassrootsfund.org/grants/ Go to VERMONT EFFICIENCY VERMONT EFFICIENCY VT TAX CREDITS VT TAX CLEAN ENERGY ENERGY CLEAN FUND DEVELOPMENT SOLAR INCENTIVES – BASED ON ON BASED – INCENTIVES SOLAR SYSTEM OF CAPACITY RATED Heating/Cooling • • $100 mail-in rebate - up to fan motor • • just 99¢ at and specialty spiral CFLs are participating retailers • last at while supplies register at coupons participating* retailers EfficiencyHome Improvements • - up to upgrades system and heating - using participating*$2,600 in incentives contractors Appliances (must be ENERGY STAR) • • for $75 rebate 3 qualifying models, Tier Most Efficient ENERGY STAR • 3 & ENERGYTier CEE $75 for Refrigerators, Most Efficient STAR • be to eligible potentially are freezers old units. retire to incentive $50 picked up. • models select ENERGY STAR Lighting (must be ENERGY STAR) gram, administered by Renewable Energy Renewable by administered gram, (RERC), to funds provides Center Resource of new solar thermal, the costs help defray systems and micro-hydro photovoltaic, - municipali to category limited **sspecial customer All public schools. housing authorities, non-profit ties, and may change. availability subject to are incentives Heating Pellet • - $2500 per boiler (+$350 if an audit is com www.RERC-vt.org at pleted).Details • tax credit an investment offers Vermont energy of renewable installations for The on business properties. equipment “Vermont of the 24% is equal to credit business of the federal property portion” 2016. 2011 to from tax credit energy this and fuel cells small wind, solar, For for a 7.2% state-level credit constitutes geothermal electric, and for systems and heat and combined microturbines, a 2.4% this constitutes systems, power unused tax Any state-level tax credit. not be carried may forward. credit The The Small Scale RE Incentive Pro Small Scale RE Incentive The The • • 2 full time paid staff or equiv. 2 full time • • of $1,000-$3,500 grants “Grow” • info. more for or call 802-223-4622 -

While we at Green Energy Times try to keep things up to date, incentives are always changing. Be sure to check with the appropriate sources for the latest information. the latest for sources check with the appropriate to Be sure changing. always are incentives Times date, try things up to Energy Green keep to at While we Must be volunteer driven or have up to or have driven Must be volunteer

FEDERAL REGIONAL The Biorefinery Assistance Program was Program Biorefinery The Assistance of independence • Increase the energy conservation, public resource • Promote and agricultural markets for • Diversify economic and enhance jobs • Create go to information more For Finance the purchase of renew the purchase Finance studies/ include Feasibility Applicants WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 15, 2014 16 JUNE NEW ENGLANDNEW GRASSROOTS FUND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOREFINERY ASSISTANCE ASSISTANCE BIOREFINERY PROGRAM USDA RURAL USDA PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT FEDERAL INVESTMENT INVESTMENT FEDERAL CREDIT TAX MODEST GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FOR AVAILABLE ARE GRANTS MODEST ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY-BASED WORK IN CT,MA,RI,NH,VT,ME As the call for increased production of increased the call for As of fuels has forms renewable homegrown, and develop has the need to so grown, Development Rural them. USDA produce - to devel opportunities offers to producers the Biorefinery such fuels through opment provides program The Program. Assistance - con the development, for loan guarantees commercial- of struction, and retrofitting scale biorefineries. assist in the development established to the for technologies of new and emerging biofuels and of advanced development the following: accomplish aims to States the United health, and the environment waste forestry products and agricultural materials America in rural development www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Biorefinery able energy systems, and make energy systems, able energy Funding audits. energy improvements; basis; grant on a competitive is awarded 25% of eligible funding cannot exceed - loan guaran and combined project costs 75% of eli- cannot exceed and grants tees project costs. gible producers agricultural REAPs: regular audits Energy small businesses. and rural development energy and renewable land tribes, local governments, assistance: public electric rural coops, colleges, grant must be used for Grant entities. power purchase Construction or improvements, energy of equipment, and installation service professional permit fees, audits, and/or feasibility business plans, fees, www.rurdev.usda. at more Find studies. 802-828- or call gov/NH-VTHome.html VT or 603-223-6035 in NH 6080 in USDA Rural Development Program - Rural Program Development Rural USDA America (REAP) for Energy The federal investment tax credit (ITC) (ITC) tax credit investment federal The including solar, most technologies, for is 30% of and fuel cells, pumps, heat wind, geothermal commercial For expenditures. and microturbines, systems, generating is 10% the ITC power and heat combined of expenditures. •

Black UP TO DATE INCENTIVE INFO: WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June 15, 2015 17 INCENTIVES WWW.DSIREUSA.ORG Heat Pump Conversion COOLING, & WATER HEATING 7-day digital programmable thermostats, • is 35% of the project cost up to $10,000 EQUIPMENT REBATE Energy Star replacement windows for Geothermal Heat Pumps. Available only to utility customers of W. Do You Understand… Rebates of up to $1,500 on high efficiency Mass Electric, National Grid, Berkshire Gas, • is $450-$900 per system based on SEER Cont’d from p. 1 rating for Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps. Furnaces and Boilers, $200-$500 rebates on Nstar, Unitil and Cape Light Compact • is 35% of the project cost up to $3,500 Mini Split Heat Pumps, up to $800 rebates Visit www.masssave.com/residential/ based on SEER rating for High Efficiency & on water heaters, rebates on programma- heating-and-cooling/offers/heat-loan-pro- Hybrid Central Heat Pumps. ble and Wi-Fi thermostats gram Please call 866-527-7283 to schedule • is 35% of the project cost up to $25,000 Program details and application at www. a free home energy assessment. based on SEER ratings for Commercial ground NHSaves.com/heatingcooling MASSACHUSETTS or air source heat pumps and ERV’s. OTHER NH ELECTRIC SOLAR LOAN PROGRAM UTILITY PROGRAMS Mass Solar Loan focuses on connecting PAREI homeowners who install solar electric To explore the possibility of a solar installa- See also individual utilities for additional systems with low-interest loans to help tion. Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Ini- programs and variations. NH electric util- finance the projects. tiative. www.plymouthenergy.org ities may offer low or no interest on-bill The $30 million program, a partnership financing for energy efficiency projects. WWW.NHSAVES.COM between the Massachusetts Department Visit www.nhsaves.com/resource/ for of Energy Resources (DOER) and MassCEC, WWW. NHEC.COM individual utility contact information. will work with local banks and credit unions Business Programs to provide financing to homeowners NH HOME PERFORMANCE interested in solar electricity. DOER’s WITH ENERGY STAR Includes programs for: small and large busi- program design will work with banks home battery, will come at a cost of $250/ ness, new equipment and construction, and credit unions to expand borrowing kWh. This means that battery storage is Sponsored by all NH electric and natural seminars, lighting incentives and catalog, options through lower interest rate loans cheap enough that the combined cost of gas utilities in partnership by the U.S. Dept. and low and no interest financing pro- and encourage loans for homeowners with solar power and a battery is lower than of Energy. Fuel-blind eligibility using the grams. lower income or lower credit scores. the cost of the least expensive fossil fuel Home Heating Index (BTUs of heating fuel Visit www.nhsaves.com/ for informa- Since 2008, the solar electric industry choices in many places. / conditioned square feet / heating degree tion about NH business incentives for in Massachusetts has grown into a robust This changes everything. In fact, it is days). Must provide at least 12 months of electricity efficiency. economic sector with over 1,400 businesses what is called “disruptive.” heating fuel history. Once qualified, eli- NH Weatherization Assistance and 12,000 workers, with enough solar The cost of the batteries is so low that gible homes get a $450 value compre- electricity installed in the Commonwealth to the prices of electricity produced by wind hensive energy audit for $100 (rebated if Income-Eligible Programs power more than 100,000 homes. turbines and stored in them is lower than improvements installed), and 50% instant Home Energy Assistance and NH commu- Mass Solar Loan will continue to grow this the cost from natural gas plants. The cost rebate for eligible weatherization improve- nity action Weatherization Assistance Pro- sector, while allowing more homeowners of electricity from batteries charged with ments up to a $4,000. gram. Financial assistance paying fuel bills, the ability to achieve the cost savings solar is competitively priced, but solar Visit www.nhsaves.com/residential/ret- and free weatherization improvements and environmental benefits of this clean, power has the huge advantage of having rofit.html for more information and an for qualified applicants. Funding from U.S. renewable energy source. www.masscec. an absolutely predictable cost of fuel. Black online Home Heating Index calculator Dept. of Energy, NH utilities. com/programs/mass-solar-loan Electricity generated by coal and nuclear Visit www.nh.gov/oep/programs/ weath- DEPT OF ENERGY plants is simply no longer competitive at NH ENERGY STAR HOMES erization/index.htm for application criteria, all. There really may be no reason to build FAQs and local program contacts RESOURCES another fossil fuel or nuclear-powered Incentives for builders of new homes who Solar renewable-energy credits (SRECs) plant. meet ENERGY STAR guidelines. Incentives Elon Musk pointed out that the amount include HERS rating fee paid by the utility, associated with system generation belong to the system owner and may be sold of space needed to power the country rebates for ENERGY STAR lighting, appli- MASSACHUSETTS with solar panels was actually very small. ances and heating systems, and $800 - via the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) SREC program. Note: appropriate, On a huge map of the United States, the $4,000 additional incentive depending on COMMONWEALTH area was just a small square in the middle the HERS score. approved Data Acquisition System mon- SOLAR HOT WATER itoring must be utilized for PV systems of Kansas. He also pointed out that this Visit www.nhsaves.com/residential/ need not be land with any agricultural homes.html for more details. >10kW in order to qualify to sell SRECs. (SHW) PROGRAMS MA State Income tax credit for residen- value; it could largely be on the rooftops Applicants must be served by National tial solar hot water or pv systems are eli- of buildings, or roofs and canopiess over NH ENERGY STAR Grid, NSTAR, Unitil (Fitchburg Gas and Elec- gible for a one time 15% off system cost, parking lots or other urban areas. Only tric), WMECO or a participating Municipal capped at $1000 max tax credit. shortly before the Tesla battery press APPLIANCES & Light Plant community. . No sales tax on residential solar hw or pv conference, in fact, the journal, Nature LIGHTING Residential Rebate: $75/per collector X systems. Climate Change had published a study the SRCC thermal performance rating of There is no increase in property tax concluding that nearly 100% of the elec- Mail-in rebates for ENERGY STAR-rated the collectors (pls refer to kBTU/ panel/day assessment for residential hw or pv trical needs of California could be from clothes washers ($30), room air condition- for Category C, Mildly Cloudy climates) systems for 20 yrs. such urban sources. ers ($20), room air purifiers ($15) and smart Metrics for typical SHW system for 2-4 This is a turning point. strips ($10). people, 2-panel roof-mounted plus 80 The economic factors are compel- Visit www.nhsaves.com/residential/es_ gal solar tank: materials/installation costs NEW MA SREC POLICY ling. We will almost certainly be shifting appliance.html for more information = $10,000, MA CEC residential rebate = rapidly to renewable power backed up by and rebate forms. Massachusetts’ new version of its Solar $3860 including • Adder for moderate Renewable Energy Credits Program is infor- batteries. Interestingly, Musk’s position Instant rebate coupons ranging from $1 home value or for moderate income. on competition is that he wants to see to $7 for ENERGY STAR-rated CFL and LED mally being called SREC II. MA State Tax Credit (use only once) = Under the earlier version, which expired other companies offer similar products. In light bulbs purchased through qualifying $1000, Federal Tax Credit (30% system fact, he is so interested in doing this that NH retailers. last year, credits were given regardless of cost) = $3000, Net Cost = $2100 Visit where the solar system was installed. SREC he is giving away the technology of the http://www.masscec.com/programs/ II prioritizes sites, however, by using an lithium-ion batteries he is selling, much as Visit www.nhsaves.com/residential/ commonwealth-solar-hot-water he has done with the technology of the es_lighting.html for more information. SREC factor based on the type of installation. The credits provided for energy cars sold by Tesla. MASSSAVE HEAT LOAN SHW produced by a system are calculated by For years, we have heard the same old multiplying the factor times a full credit complaint about renewable energy, “The NHSAVES LIGHTING Through this loan program, customers may sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind borrow at 0% interest the costs of a Solar value. AND EFFICIENCY Full credit is given for residential, park- doesn’t always blow.” It was once a pretty Domestic Hot Water and/or Thermal Heat- effective way of putting a damper on the CATALOG ing system. Apply through receiving the ing canopy, emergency power, or community-based systems, or any other system of enthusiasm of people interested in renew- Extensive catalog of efficient lighting prod- MassSave Energy Audit. You can borrow up able energy. It was never a valid point, to $25,000 at 0% interest for a 7 year term. less than 25 kW. Larger systems get a fac- ucts, from stylish lamps to hard to find tor of 0.9, if they are building-mounted or but troublesome to deal with, because specialty bulbs. Catalog includes other effi- ENERGY EFFICIENCY at least 67% of the power produced is used answering it involved a complicated ciency items such as smart strips, power at the site. If a larger system meets nei- explanation that went over the heads of monitors, and water-conserving devices After conducting a free residential Energy people who were mentally or financially Audit, residential customers are eligible ther of these criteria, but is built on a land- Offered at discounted pricing for NH elec- fill or brownfield site, or if it is less than 650 stuck in a century-old paradigm. But tric utility customers, and fulfilled by EFI. for up to $25,000, commercial loan up to now, there is an answer in a single, short $100k at 0% interest heat loan with terms kW, then it gets a factor of 0.8. Systems that Visit catalog.nhsaves.com/ for an qualify for none of the foregoing get a fac- response that anyone should be able to online version of the catalog. up to 7 years to cover the following energy understand, “Tesla batteries!” efficiency improvements: atticwall-base- tor of 0.7. ment insulation, high efficiency heat- Elon Musk’s announcement of the Tesla 2014 ENERGY STAR® More information can be found at: battery can be seen at bit.ly/tesla-battery- ing systems, high efficiency domestic hot http://bit.ly/Mass_SREC_II RESIDENTIAL HEATING, water systems, solar hot water systems, announcement. 18 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG June 15, 2015 RE-POWERING NEW YORK! Solar Thermal in NY By Wyldon King Fishman Solarizing NY’s Capital Region New York started out with JUNE UPDATE by Stephen Andersen $3.6 million in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) fund. Upstate farms benefitted from the lion’s share of the RGGI millions. Residen- tial solar thermal hot water cuts energy usage, is easy to hook up and costs less than solar electric or photovoltaics (PV). Pool owners jumped on the bandwagon early on and pool heating with the sun takes Chardes House High Meadow Farm with a solar thermal (hot water) sys- the worry out of extending the tem on the roof, in Warwick, New York. Photo courtesy of NYSES. season for swimming. Free hot water makes sense. Here’s a rule of thumb. An average domes- Apartments, hotels, senior living centers, tic hot water system will wind up costing the dormitories, Laundromats and sports clubs consumer $2–3,000.00 after tax credits and use more hot water than many businesses. rebates. The federal investment tax credit is Solar hot water system incentives went up due to expire at the end of 2016. Take advan- and down and then they came and went. tage of the opportunity before it disappears. The equipment installed years ago works A residential solar installation in Queensbury, NY in the winter of 2014. Photo courtesy NY offers the 25% tax credit, too. of Ben Sopczyk from ‘Active Solar’. and keeps proving the technology works Space: a family needs one fifth of the well. Way before PV electric systems, solar roof space compared to what PV electric hot water was the only game in town. It was wold take. If you have been told you do not cheap and easy. will continue throughout summer. Join us! have enough sun for solar electric, you may Community Solar, also known as “solar- Solar hot water (“SHW”) isn’t the darling More at: xtroy.org/solarize. be able to get solar thermal and the good ize,” is ramping up for the summer! Your fel- of Wall Street. There are no phone rooms Contact Jean Howard 518 833-0744. news is that it’s a lot less expensive than PV low citizens are working together to drive and salespeople quoting Google Earth [email protected]. solarizetroy..org electric. down the cost of solar electric installations, statistics for your home. But there is storage Saratoga Springs. Solarize Saratoga Two hundred days each year there is as well as to reduce the complexity of the and, technically, it is a battery. The super- is working to finalize installer selection by plenty of sun to collect. If you want to make purchase decision. insulated tank full of very hot water can hold June 5, to offer customers both purchas- hot water, make it with the sun. Do the math. For the last several months, citizens have the temperature over night. It stores solar ing and leasing options. The Solarize Team Money on the roof is better than money been working together to prepare for this energy. It gives the energy back to you when is having regular weekly meetings and in the bank. NY needs an easy, consistent summer. They have sent out requests for you’re getting ready for the day. Click on actively enlisting volunteers focused on financing method for green energy projects. proposals to area solar installers, and have the dishwasher or put a load in the clothes getting the word out about the program in Wyldon King Fishman is the founder selected installers to work with. Costs for washer and your own personal heat storage the City of Saratoga Springs and adjacent and president of the New York Solar Energy solar installations are coming down. In ad- sends hot water right where you need it. dition, the volunteers are helping people to communities. Please visit our table on Society (NYSES). understand solar energy. Public presenta- Saturday morning at the farmer’s market at tions are being scheduled, where questions High Rock Park to learn more and sign up about solar energy will be answered. Also for a free site assessment. A launch party at these presentations, the specifics of how of Solarize Saratoga will take place later to request a solar proposal for your home in June and we are currently scheduling will be shared. presentations with community organiza- Solarize campaigns also encourage tions, builders, realtors, and appraisers in neighbors to get to know one another. As an effort to reach as many people as we homeowners install solar power, neighbors can. If you or your organization would like are inspired by their example. People talk to schedule a presentation from Solarize together and learn from each other. Neigh- Saratoga, please let us know. If you want to borhoods are strengthened. help Solarize Albany spread the word about Whether you want solar on your home, solar in Saratoga Springs, contact Rayna for or want to support one of these campaigns more information on the weekly Solarize with your volunteer hours, check them out! meeting (Wednesday 6 to 8pm). Contact: Albany County. Now that the Solarize Rayna Caldwell: 518.424.9304. solarizesara- Albany installer has been selected, Apex toga.org/. [email protected] Solar (apexsolarpower.com/), the Solarize Schoharie County. Solar Works Scho- Team is focused on getting the word out harie is continuing the successful program about the program across Albany County. that they started in previous years. Selected Volunteers are holding public presenta- installer: Revolution Solar (revolutionso- tions in an effort to reach as many people larny.com/) Contact: Sandy MacKay: 518 as they can. If you or your organization 234-2817. [email protected]. solar- would like to schedule a presentation from worksschoharie.org/. Also, there are two Solarize Albany, please let them know. If other campaigns that are just starting up. you want to help Solarize Albany spread If you are want to support solar in these ar- the word about solar in Albany County, eas, please reach out to the contact person! contact Dave or come to the weekly Solar- The Southern Saratoga County Cam- ize meeting (Thursday, 6 to 8pm) at the paign is forming their team and there is Honest Weight Food Co-op, 100 Watervliet room for more enthusiastic people to help. Avenue in Albany. Contact: Dave Hoch- It includes Clifton Park, Mechanicville, Still- felder: 848-391-9103. solarizealbany@ water and Halfmoon. Installer: non selected gmail.com. SolarizeAlbany.org. yet. website: na. Contact: Joanne Coons: Rensselaer County. Solarize Troy has 518- 522-3173. [email protected] selected Monolith Solar of Rensselaer NY Schenectady County. Solarize Sche- (monolithsolar.com/) as its designated solar nectady is in its formative stage, with new installer for the 2015 season, which will end members welcome to expedite its progress. September 15, and in a separate program Installer: non selected yet. website: na. for low and moderate income homeowners Contact: Gary Lessard; 518.346.2290. les- within the City of Troy, Grid Alternatives of [email protected]. California was selected as the vendor. Solar- Stephen Anderson volunteers his time ize Troy covers all of Rensselaer County. to plant seeds of Solarize projects in the Pricing has been established, which will Capital Region, and plays a significant role provide up to 20% discount, if our target in inspiring each project. His background in volume is reached. All US-made equipment solar includes having graduated from the will be used. Twelve solar workshops and Hudson Valley Community College Solar PV house parties have been held so far and program, and is NABCEP certified. RE-POWERING NEW YORK! WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG June 15, 2015 19 Bringing G.E.T. N A to NY! et-zero partments nyses.org … in Rotterdam, NY By Emma Rumple

the wind blew around the window frames, are a thing of the past. The tenants should expect that no comfort is given up when they live at netZero All of the energy used at netZero Village comes from the sun. Photo courtesy of David Bruns Village. They should be as warm or cool as they would reasonably like to be. They A new and different kind of apartment people who live on the property. should not have to think about the energy building has been constructed in Rotter- netZero Village is the brain-child of David they consume, beyond taking occasional dam, New York. It has the amenities people Bruns, the General Manager and owner of delight that it is safe and free of the carbon would expect in up-scale homes. It has four Bruns Reality, LLC. After spending some impacts of old technologies. basic apartment designs, with one or two years as an electrical engineer for General The netZero Village’s website is netzero- bedrooms. It is built to be comfortable. Electric, Bruns decided to go his own way village.com. See their ad on p. 39. One thing that makes netZero Village and went into his present business. different, just as the name implies, is that it All of the energy used at netZero Village uses net-zero energy. The apartment com- comes from the Sun. There are solar photo- plex generates as much energy as its oc- voltaics providing electricity. There are solar cupants can reasonably use. That includes thermal collectors producing hot water. heat, air conditioning, and even the energy The buildings have both passive solar heat for charging electric cars. Year by year, the and very efficient heat pumps. All of the complex should produce what it needs, appliances, whether for kitchen or laundry, with no more dependence on outside re- are of highest efficiency. Shower heads and sources than it takes to get through short- toilets are of water-saving designs. Lighting term energy fluctuations. It is advertised as is LEDs. New York State’s first net-zero apartment A comfortable home is comfortably, community. and carefully, insulated. The buildings for There is more setting it apart. It has a netZero Village were designed with insula- different business plan, built on the idea of tion and superior windows in mind. Air loyalty. The plan is that tenants should be leakage tests are conducted several times able to expect loyalty from the manage- in each building as it is built. ment. To accomplish this, management will Careful air-sealing requires careful ven- not merely show its face from time to time. tilation. Heat recovery ventilation makes It must be seriously involved. The manager it possible to have a constant stream of is expected to be willing to drive the snow pre-warmed, very clean, fresh air coming plow, should that be necessary. Owners into each unit with minimal heat loss. The and managers will have to be available to old days, when the air was fresh because

Solar Everything ANNOUNCING THE GRAND OPENING OF OUR HIGH PEAKS SOLAR STORE Located at 180 Main Avenue, Wynantskill, NY 12198 Phone: 518-209-6727 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.highpeakssolar.com

Our Hours: Friday 10 am-6 pm, Saturday 10 am-4 pm 20 June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG COMMUNITY RESILIENCE - GREENFIELD, MA GREENFIELD IS GREEN produced as possible, up to 100%. With some research and a bit of work, Community Aggregation Collins was able to find enough renewable power providers who would sign contracts with Greenfield’s Community Choice Aggre- gation. Because they were able to sign on as Replacing Fossil and Nuclear a community, with combined buying power, Fuels … One House they were able to get deals that reduced the costs to everyone. It is not a huge reduc- or Business at a time. tion, but it is a dollar or two less than people would otherwise pay. Thus, both Mayor Martin’s economic goals and the sustainability goals of Carole Collins were met. Power providers are local, where that is possible. Solar systems in Greenfield and nearby wind turbines are among the sources. Getting renewable power required signing up with some producers at greater distances, however, including wind farms in Maine. Collins does not claim that Greenfield’s Solar Installation electricity is 100% from renewable sources. She says there are non-renewable power 413-772-3122 sources that are required by state regula- tions to be included in the mix. Neverthe- less, they are really minimal, and the city is SolarStoreofGreenfield.com practically 100% renewably powered. And it is so with a reduced cost. Court Square, Greenfield, MA. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Collins says there is still a lot of work to do. She does not like the idea of buying CO-OP POWER Massachusetts started a ball rolling when With early successes for the program on power from elsewhere, if it can be produced By George Harvey it passed the nation’s first Community Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, other com- locally. She looks forward to seeing more Choice Aggregation Bill in 1997. This gave munities followed suit. Greenfield Mayor solar power being produced and becoming Co-op Power is a grassroots member- market groups and communities the ability William Martin was especially interested, part of Greenfield’s energy mix. She would owned co-operative focused on sustainable to combine purchasing to get better rates and he started working with Carole Collins, also like to see progress on putting together energy. By combining purchasing power of for their residents. Under the system, a com- Greenfield’s Director of Energy and Sus- one or more microgrids in the community its members, it provides efficiencies of scale munity can get all its power from whatever tainability, on the idea. She liked the idea, for resilience in the future. to make renewable power and products power sellers it wants, at whatever rates it but wanted to go a step further. She told Greenfield has made a lot of progress. available inexpensively. It has a commitment negotiates. Individual consumers have a Martin she would be happy to work through Given the history of the city and the dedica- to having a responsible presence in the right to opt out of the system, under Mas- setting up the program, but wanted to be tion of the people living and working there, community, based on economic and racial sachusetts Law. sure the power purchased was as renewably it is really not a surprise. equality and a concern for the well-being of all, members and non-members alike. The co-op is organized into regional Com- munity Energy Co-ops. Most of these are in Massachusetts, in the Greater Boston area, Franklin County, and Hampshire County, NORTHEAST BIODIESEL Hampden County. One covers the area of the Blackstone River from Worcester, Massa- WILL SOON BE OPERATIONAL chusetts, down to Providence, Rhode Island. By George Harvey One covers southern Vermont. While most members are within these areas, member- At long last, Co-op Power has raised the two and a half times ship is not exclusive to them, and there are money needed to open the Northeast Bio- as much. This means some who live in New Hampshire, New York, diesel plant in Greenfield, Massachusetts. that the carbon dioxide and elsewhere. They started working on the idea over ten overhead of burning a Co-op Power provides discounts on a years ago, and have worked hard through gallon of diesel oil can wide variety of products and services. The many changes of fortune to bring opera- range from somewhat services include home efficiency assess- tions to the final stretch. A final fund-raising over forty pounds, for ments, and help with insulating and sealing. push, which ended on June 1, raised the last conventionally-sourced Products include discounted fuels, such as $800,000 needed to complete the $4.2 mil- oil, to about eighty bio-diesel, heating oil, and propane; pur- lion project. Most of this came in the form of pounds, for oil from tar chase and installation of a number of kinds loans from Co-op Power’s own members. sands. Northeast Biodiesel in Greenfield, MA. Photo courtesy of Co-op Power. of equipment, including heat pump water The new plant will have an initial produc- By contrast, the heaters, window treatments, and more. Co- tion of 1.75 million gallons of biodiesel fuel overhead for processing waste vegetable oil, some in exchange for marketing services op Power can help with installation of solar per year. This will increase to 3.76 million in oil is very small, increasing the emissions to or cash payments, though many have said systems for homes and businesses. the foreseeable future. The oil will be con- considerably less than thirty pounds per gal- they would simply donate the oil. There will There is a member-to-member program verted from waste vegetable oil. lon. However, if we reduce that amount by also be drop-off points where anyone can providing mutual help. The co-op also works In the past, waste vegetable oil was often the savings to be had in reducing the waste donate oil. with other co-ops and organizations. For sent to a landfill, where it decomposed, stream emissions, the overhead of biodiesel As we consider all this, we should keep in example, Co-op Power installed the solar putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, may be very low indeed, possibly only a mind is that the environment is not the only panels that are on the roof of the Brattle- along with some methane. By converting quarter to a half of those of ordinary diesel beneficiary of the operation. The owners of boro Food Co-op. Now, they are starting up the waste oil to diesel oil, we eliminate im- oil. Environmentally, biodiesel is clearly the Co-op Power are nearly all local people and a subsidiary, Northeast Biodiesel, which will portant emissions from the waste stream. winner, based on emissions. businesses, who benefit from its operations. provide renewable diesel fuel for members In regard to carbon emissions, however, By this spring, the plant had already been Additionally, there will be employees of the and, eventually, others as well. there are other aspects of biodiesel and largely built, and much of the equipment plant who will get jobs, fifteen in all. Beyond Membership in Co-op Power is $950. The conventional diesel oil to consider. These had been brought in. Now, with its fund- that, a waste-to-fuel operation has very payments for membership can be made are connected to production. A gallon of raising goal achieved Co-op Power is good important benefits for everyone in the area over time and there are discounts for people either produces about twenty-two pounds to go. Contractors will complete the struc- where it operates. The cost of dealing with who qualify for them. of carbon dioxide when it is burned, but the tures. Final installation of the machinery will the waste is eliminated, because it is really Co-op Power’s website is cooppower.coop. carbon dioxide emitted from the processes be done, the infrastructure will be made no longer waste; instead, it has become a of extracting, transporting, and refining a ready, deliveries of waste oil will begin, valuable chemical feedstock. gallon has to be added to get a true picture operators will start the chemical process of More important, the money paid for the of the total carbon dioxide emissions. converting the oil to fuel, and distribution fuel is no longer being exported from the Operations producing conventional oil will begin. area. The effect of this is that perhaps $7 mil- can easily produce as much carbon dioxide Operations should begin this fall. At that lion of the money that used to be sent out of Many thanks as the oil itself. If the oil is extracted from point the system of collecting waste oil will the area each year to pay for fossil fuels will to our Sponsor tar sands, production emissions can be be in motion. Restaurants will be providing instead be retained in the local economy. COMMUNITY RESILIENCE - GREENFIELD, MA June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 21 SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS SAGE is continuing to grow, and has different avenues under consideration At Greenfield Community College for development. One is a super-efficient By George Harvey One thing SAGE does is to provide servic- greenhouse. It could get extra winter heat Greenfield Community College (GCC) es for students in local primary and second- from a solar-thermal system, and it would has a set of sustainability programs. A ary schools. It is also affiliated with a number be super-insulated to maintain that heat. It Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency option of other local organizations. For example, would make it possible to expand courses in prepares students to work in energy and the SAGE program teaches organic garden- organic gardening. efficiency industries, and leads to an Associ- ing to women in transition in conjunction GCC has more involvement in renewable ate of Arts degree (AA) or to a certificate. An with two non-profit organizations in the energy and sustainability than a few educa- Environmental Science/Natural Resources Greenfield area. It also teaches organic gar- tional programs and SAGE. The college has option can start a student off toward such dening as a possible employment path to general goals of its own. It has installed solar areas as conservation science and environ- prison inmates. Peter Rosnick, the director photovoltaics with a capacity of 81 kilo- mental policy and also leads to an AA or to a of SAGE, points out, “Working with the soil watts. They generate about 79,800 kilowatt- certificate. A Farm and Food Systems option is very healing. It is just what many people hours, saving the college over $11,000, has courses ranging from Permaculture De- need to provide peace of mind.” each year; they have prevented about 180 sign to Four Season Farming and Beekeep- While it might sound odd to group tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted. ing, and leads to an AA. agriculture with energy efficiency, there is The system was installed by Pioneer Valley GCC also has a Sustainable Agriculture a reason behind it that makes good sense. Photovoltaics. and Green Energy Education Center (SAGE). Sustainability requires a special understand- GCC also has its own energy efficiency It is associated with both the Renewable En- ing and mind-set, and there is some overlap program. This has reduced energy expenses ergy/Energy Efficiency and Farm and Food in skills among people who work in different for the college by over 40%. The GCC goals Systems, but offers students and the ex- disciplines relating to it. A person who has are to reduce the carbon emissions, includ- tended community ways in which they can the ability to write a grant proposal for ing not only its own emissions but those of interact for the benefit of everyone involved. sustainable education is likely to be able other community members as well, and to It enables contacts between students and to write one for renewable energy, as well. provide a path to a sustainable future for potential employees, but it also provides Also the organizations that are interested in everyone. resources for people outside the college supporting one are likely to be interested in For more information, go to www.gcc. who need them. the other. mass.edu/sustainability/programs. Construction practices NET-ZERO AWARD FOR HOME IN space in the house has with our futures in mind. GREENFIELD, MA south-facing windows for By George Harvey solar gain. There is one Mitsubishi MSZ-FE12NA The home of Hannah Smeltz and Spartan heat pump, but it rarely Call us today. Giordano of Greenfield won the North East goes on. The house has Sustainable Energy Association’s (NESEA) heat-recovery ventilation, (413) 586.8287 2015 Zero Net Energy Building Award. One which also allows clothes wright-builders.com thing interesting about the project is that it to be dried by hanging was the first house built by Giordano, a for- inside, reducing en- institutions|commercial| mer math teacher. Though he had no hands- ergy use without causing on experience with building, Giordano knew humidity problems. Hot design|new homes|additions a fair amount about renewable energy, as he water is supplied by two had been through the Greenfield Commu- panels in a drain-back energy retrofits|renovations nity College Renewable Energy Program. He solar hot water system. also got a fair amount of help from friends The panels are Sunearth construction management and contractors. EC-40, and the tank is The 1,500 square-foot saltbox home was HTP Contender. built at a cost of $145,498, but there was a All power for the house winter and comfortably cool in the sum- good deal of savings along the way. Giorda- This home in Greenfield, MA, won the NESEA 2015 Zero Net Energy Building Award in the spring of this year. Photo courtesy of NESEA. comes from the sun. A mer, and it achieves this without using any no did much of the labor himself, bringing 4.5-kilowatt photovoltaic fossil fuels at all. The cost of running it is down the cost. Other things that reduced array on the roof pro- minimal, and the cost of building it was not costs included use of reused or recycled for the first floor are scrap granite. The walls duced 5,144 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in the first high. It even offsets other people’s carbon materials. The foam board used to insulate are 12.5 inches thick, and are insulated with year. The house actually produced 503 kWh emissions by putting energy on the grid. We the foundation was recycled. Most doors recycled fiber from newspapers. more than it used, meaning it is net-positive. might agree with NESEA about this home. It and windows were purchased used. The tiles The heat is nearly all passive, and all living This home is always cozy, warm in the deserves an award.

Next issue of Green Energy Times will include another Greenfield ABy Green Few Energy Times Notes Staff on Greenfield, Massachusetts story -- in our Dining in the Green Over the years, Greenfield has been a Ward have made it even easier for everyone In 2014, the town of Greenfield partnered section. We will be featuring, The leading community in energy, efficiency, to move to a more sustainable and resilient with PV Squared to have a Greenfield Solar People’s Pint. It’s a great place you and sustainability. Five from recent history lifestyle, and have been central of moving Challenge. The program generated 197 will likely want to visit for a meal. might be taken as representative. Greenfield forward toward that goal. inquiries, of which 113 produced propos- The Northeast Sustainable Energy As- In 2008, Rural Development, Inc. began als. There, were fifty-eight projects under- sociation (NESEA), which had originally to develop Wisdom Way, a set of ten highly taken, of which three were commercial and Pictured are: Clair Chang and John Ward, owners of the been based at MIT, moved its headquarters energy-efficient duplexes of two to four fifty-five residential. At Solar Store of Greenfield. Photo courtesy of Clair Chang. to Greenfield in 1994, taking up residence bedrooms. The prototype was a highly effi- present, installation in a former railroad administrative build- cient home with solar power in Colrain, Mas- is still under way. ing. NESEA’s annual conference in Boston sachusetts, finished in 2007. Wisdom Way The total capacity is one of the most important sustainable was completed in 2010. It became a subject installed under the energy events in the Northeast. Its activities of study by the US Department of Energy, program will be include the American Tour de Sol, which which found that the apartments had total 508.65 kW, of which demonstrates solar-powered cars. It opened utility bills for heat and electricity ranging 145 were com- the Greenfield Energy Park, now a city park, from $14.25 to $38.17 per month. mercial and 363.65 in1999. Greenfield was the first community in were residential. The Solar Store of Greenfield opened in New England to install a solar farm on a This is bringing 2005. Claire Chang and John Ward, who retired landfill. The two kilowatt (kW) plant the amount of joined the store in 2008, bought it in 2011, produces about 2,400,000 kWh of electric- private solar power raising it to a new level of excellence. Visitors ity per year. The city gets 40% of its power in Greenfield to a have always found the store an easy place from the solar farm, for which it pays 1¢ per multiple of what it to become more energy-aware. Chang and kilowatt hour. The plant went online in 2012. had been. 22 June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 ENERGY EFFICIENCY The Energy Efficient Comfort of Radiant Floor Heating by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss surface of a floor heats the lower half dential Energy Services Network (RESNet). The efficiency gains can be magnified Underfloor radiant heating involves of the room, enveloping inhabitants in “They draw cold air across the floor and significantly with good insulation and a under-laying the floor with a hot element warmth at a lower overall temperature— send warm air up to the ceiling, where it well-designed system. While tearing out or tubing that transfers heat into the room in some cases up to five degrees Fahren- then falls, heating the room from the top old heating systems or replacing decent via infrared radiation and convection, ob- heit cooler—than a conventional heating down, creating drafts and circulating dust existing flooring might be overkill for the viating the need for forced or blowing air. system. “Radiators and other forms of and allergens.” RESNet adds that radiant sake of moving to radiant heat, those According to the U.S. Department of ‘point’ heating circulate heat inefficiently systems transmit heat on average some embarking on new building projects or Energy’s Energy Savers website, radiant and hence need to run for longer periods 15% more efficiently than conventional contemplating major renovations should heating has a number of advantages to obtain comfort levels,” reports the Resi- radiators. certainly consider it. over other forms of heat distribution: “It cont’d on p.24 is more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating because no energy is lost through ducts.” It is also flexible as it can run off of a variety of energy sources: gas, oil, wood, solar and other sources or combinations thereof can feed radiant systems. And radiant heating is a good choice for those with severe allergies as no potentially irritating particles get blown around the room. Several aspects of radiant heating make it more energy-efficient. For starters, the uniform heat distribution over the entire

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, radiant underfloor heating is more efficient than baseboard or forced-air heating and can run off of a variety of energy sources. It is also a good choice for those with allergies as no potentially irritating particles get blown around the room.

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We’re here to help reduce 173 Main Street Downtown Bradford, VT your energy cost ! 802-222-9211 / 800-654-3344 ENERGY EFFICIENCY WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June 15, 2015 23 HEAT PUMP CLOTHES DRYERS New Cutting Edge Appliances Use 40% Less Energy! By N. R. Mallery Whirlpool® HybridCare™, LG® EcoHybrid™, and Kenmore® Advanced Hybrid Dry models. The LG model was the first heat pump dryer to be displayed in a Vermont retail store when it arrived at Bouchard- Pierce in Essex Junction, VT; it is now also available at Bouchard-Pierce in Berlin, VT. Total Home Center in St. Albans, VT, Co- coplum Appliances in Essex Junction, VT and Brattleboro, VT, and Brook Valley Ap- pliance in Manchester Center, VT currently have the Whirlpool heat pump dryer on display. David Perry, from Perry’s Appli- ances in Bradford, VT confirmed that they Neale Lunderville, General Manager of BED, Liz Gam- carry both the LG and Whirlpool Brands of ache, Director of Efficiency Vermont, Lee Owen, heat pump dryers. Bouchard-Pierce General Manager. Photo courtesy Efficiency Vermont is working closely Efficiency Vermont with retail partners across the state to make these dryers more widely available. Heat pump dryers are more expensive A winner of the 2014 ENERGY STAR® than traditional electric clothes dryers Emerging Technology Award, heat pump (MSRP $1,599 to $1,899); however with clothes dryers combine the cutting edge special sales in store, the $400 rebate, and efficiency of heat pump technology with the significant energy savings, they are a one of the highest energy-using appli- competitive product and a smart invest- ances in the home. ment. Some Vermonters have already According to the U.S. Environmental taken advantage of the rebate – and the Protection Agency (EPA), clothes dryers switch from a traditional electric dryer to a use more energy than any other large heat pump dryer is expected to save them appliance in the home. From 2006 to $600 over the life of the appliance. 2010 an average of 9,538 dryers were sold Samuel Atwood of West Dover, VT pur- annually in Vermont, of which 87% were chased a heat pump dryer and was one estimated to be electric. This year the first- of the first to take advantage of Efficiency ever ENERGY STAR labeled clothes dryers Vermont’s rebate. “I chose the heat pump are hitting retail floors, including several dryer because it is super-efficient and will heat pump dryers, which use approxi- significantly reduce my energy consump- mately 40% less energy than a regular tion. The cost of a similar electric dryer, electric dryer. after the rebate, was nearly identical, so Unlike traditional dryers that pull room- I’m already pocketing the energy savings,” temperature air in, heat it up, and vent it said Atwood. “It was also easy to install outside, heat pump dryers save energy by and is a great quality product.” using a closed system to dry and recycle hot air before returning it to the drum. To learn more about Efficiency Vermont’s Heat pump dryers also use lower tem- rebates on energy efficient clothes dryers peratures and advanced moisture sensors and to find a participating retailer, visit to prevent over-drying and damage to www.efficiencyvermont.com/dryers. BED clothes. customers can visit www.burlingtonelectric. Efficiency Vermont and Burlington Elec- com to learn more about BED’s energy tric Department (BED) offer an incentive efficiency services. on this new technology. A $400 rebate is available on all ENERGY STAR 2014 Emerg- Many thanks ing Technology Award winning electric to our Sponsor dryers. Among these winners are the

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… Neighborhoods with well-shaded Shaded parking lots keep automobiles not an option because of large Trees While carbon pricingWhile key to will be “Without and additional mitigation, World www.noaa.gov; NOAA, Contacts: Doug Moss by & is produced EarthTalk® pricing systems (such as emissions trading (such as emissions trading pricing systems International ne plans and carbon taxes). next meet in Paris scheduled to gotiators working hammer already to are December gov that mandating out an agreement to ernments adopt these types of systems on price “A emissions reductions. facilitate carbon important is the single most thing agreement,” get out of a Paris to have we “It unleash market will forces.” Kim stated. Greenpeace global warming, mitigating - the tide of deforesta stemming adds that and rainforests tropical tion in the world’s to systems and adapting our food beyond - and increas conditions climatic changing will also be crucial resources ingly limited the health of the planet. to the warming by with adaptation, even end of the 21st century high will lead to widespread veryto high risk of severe, reports impacts globally,” and irreversible on Climate Panel the Intergovernmental of group an international Change (IPCC), the by expertsleading climate convened and assess the review to Nations United technical and socio- scientific, most recent on global warming. information economic to no time like the present Indeed, there’s start our ways. changing Greenpeace, Bank, www.worldbank.org; www.ipcc.ch. IPCC, www.greenpeace.org; trade Roddy Scheer and is a registered mark of Earth Action Network Inc. www. earthtalk.org. • than 6–10° F cooler can be up to streets trees, neighborhoods without street effect (see the heat-island reducing energy and reducing below), illustration Service for Center Forest (U.S. needs. Research) Urban Forest • fuel tanks from emissions reducing cooler, the and helping reduce and engines, (U.S. communities. effect in heat-island Service) Forest • lots? Install solar as canopies to paved for clean energy Generate park under. the to being sent with the excess lighting idling and reduce Keep cars cooler, grid. a/c. for If we don’t get our carbon emissions in check soon, it get our carbon don’t If we for the polar other be bear late too and many could Gregory Credit: global warming. species impacted by “Slobirdr” FlickrCC Smith, - - - - - GLOBAL FOOTPRINT GLOBAL WHEN WILL WE HAVE GONE TOO FAR? TOO GONE HAVE WE WILL WHEN PLANT TREES TO REDUCE YOUR YOUR TO REDUCE TREES PLANT “POINT OF NO RETURN” “POINT …and for all the benefits they provide. …and for trees change, climate fighting While Change in Climate Fight Trees How pro trees Neighborhood and street As trees grow, they help stop climate climate they help stop grow, trees As CLIMATE CHANGE & THE DREADED DREADED & THE CHANGE CLIMATE - concentra the atmospheric Currently out that leaders point Environmental Georgetown lecture at In a recent While we may not yet have reached the reached have not yet may we While change by removing carbon dioxide carbon dioxide removing change by carbon storing in the trees the air, from the into oxygen and releasing and soil, atmosphere. everyto all of us, benefits many provide block shade, cooling provide They day. and attract birds winds, winter cold soil ero prevent purify our air, wildlife, and and add grace sion, clean our water, beauty our homes and communities. to Your Community vide shade for streets and parking areas, and parking streets areas, vide shade for cool property, of your the value add to and absorb carbon dioxide. the air, “point of no return”—when no amount no amount of no return”—when “point gas of cutting back on greenhouse potentially us from emissions will save global warming—climate catastrophic getting awfully be may warn we scientists of the Industrial the dawn Since close. the average a centuryRevolution ago, has risen some 1.6 global temperature Most climatolo Fahrenheit. degrees while the warming to that, agree gists causing environmental is already date - Fahren another 0.4 degree problems, a representing heit rise temperature, in - atmospheric concentra global average 450 parts of (CO2) tion of carbon dioxide set in motion per million (ppm), could changes in global climate unprecedented in the severity increase and a significant represent could disasters—and of natural of no return. point the dreaded gas) (the leading greenhouse tion of CO2 398.55 parts per million is approximately Oceanic the National to (ppm). According (NOAA), Administration and Atmospheric agencythe federal tasked with monitor and atmo ing the health of our oceans annual rate average the current sphere, could of 1.92 ppm means we of increase 2042. by of no return the point reach turn to us much time give this doesn’t - a leading environ Greenpeace, the tide. have we says advocacymental group, cut back significantly 2020 to around until the gas output around on greenhouse an- percent the tune of a five world—to we nual reduction in emissions overall—if climate “runaway” so-called avoid to are “The- is fast approach world change. which beyond of no return’ ‘point ing a change climate extremely dangerous reports impacts unavoidable,” can become “Within we period, this time the group. change our approach radically to will have production and consumption.” energy to Jim Bank president World University, Kim are reported whether we that Yong prevent cut emissions enough to able to likely depends on the policies catastrophe and the economies largest of the world’s adoption of so-calledwidespread carbon by Dougby Moss & Roddy Scheer ------ENERGY EFFICIENCY -- CLIMATE CHANGE CLIMATE -- EFFICIENCY ENERGY - - Active Chilled Beam: and heating Active parking office, lot andLED Lighting: a water ponds: including Ecological harvesting collectionRainwater system Their continuing line of innovative energy- line of innovative continuing Their The facility speaks to Delta Group’s facility DeltaThe Group’s speaks to pro largest is the world’s Delta Group Contacts: Energy Savers, www.energysav Savers, Energy Contacts: of trademark is a registered EarthTalk® Of course, pairing a radiant heating heating pairingOf a radiant course, ing inhabitants warmer all year long. Many Many long. all year warmer ing inhabitants to upgrade financial incentives offer states in systems heating home and commercial Check efficiency. boost energy that ways Incentives of State Database out the free find out (DSIRE) to Renewable Energy for or other incen kindswhat of tax rebates neck of the in your be available might tives woods. Net TLC ers.gov; www.resnet.us; RESNet, www. Guide; DSIRE Database, Green work dsireusa.org. Magazine (www. Environmental The E - emagazine.com) a reputable heating contractor to see if radi to contractor heating a reputable go. to is a sensible way heating ant EnergySTAR- efficient with an energy system thermostat can programmable approved of dollars households hundreds indeed save bills while keep on home heating a year cooling • warehouse • pond bio-retention • supplies and DC power vider of switching as a major source as well brushless fans, compo solutions, management power for industrial automa visual displays, nents, tion, networking and renewable products, Established in 1971, solutions. energy has 31 manufacturingDelta Group plants opera Its U.S. and 54 R and D labs globally. CA. tion is headquartered in Fremont, in NH, available now efficient products are to information on where For MA, and NY. VT, DeltaBreez at 888-979-9889 or call purchase, email [email protected]. • provide “To mission ongoing company energy efficient clean and innovative, tomorrow.” a better solutions for

- Delta’s new headquarters in Fremont, CA. Photo courtesy CA. Photo of Delta. new headquarters in Fremont, Delta’s

Delta Breez ventilation fans ventilation Delta Breez includes 93 solar system: 620kW rooftop 2 and DeltaSeven EV six level Chargers: System: Regeneration Power Elevator and pump: heating heat source Ground

TLC points out that while radiant heat is heat while radiant out that points TLC According to TLC Network’s Green Living Green Network’s TLC to According I have used Delta’s bathroom fan in my fan in my bathroom used Delta’s I have of think very me to easy for it’s While new Delta Americas LEED Platinum The en net-zero for building is targeted The WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 15, 2014 24 JUNE By N. R. Mallery Guide, there are two main types two of radiant are there Guide, In the former, electric and hydronic. heating, electrical by heat resistance create that wires upward. heat radiate installed in the floor is most commonly type heat This of radiant room—especially a single a retrofit used to or kitchen—in an older house or bathroom radiant hydronic comparison, For building. is forced water heated whereby heating, often is more tubes under the floor, through and is more a new structure, into designed overall. energy-efficient snug practical in smaller, more definitely not it might ceilings, homes with lower solution in homes be the greenest always “In it some scenarios with bigger rooms. forced-air can be less energy-efficient than with consulting recommends TLC heating.”

cont’d from p.22 from cont’d Radiant Floor Heating Radiant Floor ergy by incorporating Delta’s own energy- own Delta’s incorporating by ergy systems efficiency energy renewable and technologies: “green” along with other • • inverters of Delta’s • one fast DC • and variable ends (AFEs) active front Delta’s frequency (VFDs) drives • cooling

Puts Efficiency in Your Home EfficiencyPuts in Your Tesla’s New Neighbor New Tesla’s own home and love it because the light is it because the light home and love own wonderfully bright and the fan is oh-so- hot air that vent use it to I even quiet. floor on hot days on the second gathers during the summer. makes energy- that this as a company they at what look fans, bathroom efficient accomplished. have CA headquarters building in Fremont, six in approximately operations will begin 200,000-square-foot facilityThe is months. HQ the current blocks from less than two and about one-halflocation the mile from factory. Motors Tesla

Black NEWS, CLUES, & REVIEWS WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June 15, 2015 25 The Community-Scale Permaculture Farm DRIVING THE FUTURE The D Acres Model for Creating and Managing COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE WITH CLEANER, SMARTER CARS an Ecologically Designed Educational Center By Margo Oge, former director of the office of transportation and air quality, epa 336 pages, Arcade Publishing, $25.99. Copyright 2015. By Josh Trought, 416 pages, Chelsea Green Publishing, $40. Copyright 2015. Book Review by George Harvey Book Review by N.R. Mallery The Community-Scale Permaculture to those things. It “Dedicated to all individu- short of the reductions Farm is a resource book for anyone covers green appli- als and organizations who are we need,” Oge maintains. who wants to understand or practice ances, green goods, working for a cleaner and more Additional factors that permaculture. While it is aimed at and green living. sustainable planet.” include aerodynamics, practice at the community scale One of the topics Margaret Oge wrote this weight, strength and the its value is certainly not limited to dealt with in detail book for all of the right importance of the tire that. The underlying philosophy of is transforming reasons. Oge and her numer- rolling resistance will all permaculture, its scientific logic, its forested landscapes ous colleagues struggled for be necessary in order to formidable ethics, and its passionate into arable land, decades to implement regula- reduce our greenhouse concern for everything in nature are including coopera- tions to reduce emissions from gas emissions in time. truly boundless in application. tion from such allies the transportation sector, The tasks ahead of This book tells the story of a per- as the pigs. Another knowing it is one of the major us may seem daunting maculture farm started in 1997 near is getting the maxi- reasons for climate change. and insurmountable at a tiny New Hampshire village. Since mum benefits from Her thirty-two years of trials times. Oge states in the that time, D Acres has been an ongoing the farm without negative impact on the and tribulations are important final chapter, “Future research program, investigating better ways ecological systems that exist within it. Since to reveal for us all what is really efforts will be even more of doing things with both soil and things the book specifically looks at the commu- going on behind the scenes. important as we face the that life on it. As such, the farm has become nity, it includes a look at fair and effective The power that our government has upon most extraordinary environmental chal- a learning center, where those interested community governance. And, of course, it our future for a sustainable planet can make lenge of climate change. Our inaction will can discover how to apply the principles of necessarily takes a look at both how we fit or break us. have devastating impacts on every corner of permaculture to their own farms, gardens, into the community and how the commu- And while we can learn from the past and the planet and on each one of us, especially and lives. In the course of that work, those nity fits into the world. the many power struggles that the author’s future generation. Climate change threatens who learn can apply the principles to all If you would like to build a solar dehy- personal experiences make clear, the land- our food supply, water sources, where we aspects of life, because permaculture is not drator, you will find a discussion on that mark deal with automakers in 2012, with live and work, our national security, and our limited to a practice of organic farming, its subject. The same is true if you want to build direction from the Obama administration, economy. We have a moral responsibility to applications are much broader and holistic. a pond. And importantly, the same is true has finally moved us in the right direction. act now, and history will judge us by how The educational resources at D Acres are if you want to build a community. In fact, if Chapter 15 concludes with a real glimpse we as people, and governments, rise to this

not limited to gardening. They include a you want to build a better world, this book of what the landmark deal means. Oge challenge.” Black variety of skills ranging from metal working, provides a great starting point. We could writes, “The move from vehicles powered I think this book is importantly revealing wood working, and cob building to commu- imagine going from permaculture commu- by hyper-efficient combustion engines will and will help to clarify why transportation nity life. That being the case, societal aspects nities to a permaculture world. be one of the most noticed transformations issues in the USA have taken so long to ad- of life are important, and these range from We are told that Josh Trought spent over the next few decades.” She goes on dress, the challenges we face today, and also economics and structures of organizations seven years writing The Community-Scale to say, “After more than a century of near the path that can lead us forward. to the arts. Permaculture Farm. Much of that effort was monopoly, vehicles powered entirely by gas The hope for continued change is now in The Community-Scale Permaculture Farm spent in the practice of living what he was or diesel will need to surrender the road- place thanks to the Obama administration tells the history of D Acres from its start, preaching. Both the effort and the intimacy ways to cleaner, alternative vehicles in just and the perseverance of Margaret Oge. A when its author was one of the farm’s found- with the subject have contributed to a book a few decades. To meet a 180-mpg average hopeful future and what that might look like ers. It also deals with the technology of worth buying, reading, and maintaining as a for new cars in 2050, all new vehicles sold in is portrayed in the beginning of the book, holistic, organic farming. But it is not limited resource in the library. the US should be a mix of plug-in hybrids, and Oge makes this hope seem real. battery electric and fuel cell vehicles. Any We can only pray the next administration self-standing internal combustion vehicles does not change all of the advancements. (ICEs) in hybrid powertrains would have to I recommend that you all read this book. I Revised & Updated 2015 run on low carbon fuels.” could barely put it down. It’s not only impor- Unfortunately, what is proposed for the tant information, it’s that good. How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too powertrains that drive vehicles will “stop By Beth Terry, 375 pages, Skyhorse Publishing, plastic-free binding $16.99. Book Review by N. R. Mallery This is an updated edition of Beth Terry’s a toothbrush -- in a bird that was out in the cont’d from p.1 2012 book. In it, she continues her quest middle of nowhere in the Pacific Ocean. THREE DOWN …TWO TO GO to live plastic-free. “Most books,” said Terry, Huge numbers of baby albatrosses die of knowledge and expertise, and they can increasing. Oil prices are down because “are full of plastic.” Most of us are unaware starvation each year. get guidance on how to deal with the Saudi Arabia is pumping it as fast as they of this, until we pick up this book, and then The day she saw that photo changed her issue. can, and they are doing that because they we immediately note the natural, uncoated whole life, starting by looking at her own The progress toward a legally binding want to sell the oil before the world turns cover, and that the spine personal plastic consump- deal at the UN climate summit in Paris to other energy sources, according to a is unbound. The book’s tion. Shocked by the amount next December has been described as recently retired manager in the Saudi Oil pages are stitched with she was using, she figured hopeful. Christiana Figueres has described Ministry. cotton thread and binding out how to get around it as being ahead of schedule. The market- At a moment when things might look is finished with plastic-free without all of this waste, that place cast a vote on the side of renewable pretty bleak for sellers of fossil fuels, three glue. could eventually end up in energy when Tesla pre-sold over $800 of the five Big Oil companies are calling Thus, your first exposure one of three areas of the million worth of batteries in the first week for action on climate change. By doing so, to the book makes you oceans called “plastic gyres.” after its line of batteries was announced. they may get a place at the table, where understand that plastic is Beth has gone from person- In the first third of 2015, less than 16% they can take part in guiding policy. They everywhere! You come to ally generating almost four of all new electric capacity put on the are pragmatic, after all. see why trying to get away pounds of plastic waste grid in the United States was powered by The letter from the oil companies to the from plastic could seem per month to a little over fossil fuels. Efficiency is cutting into the UN can be seen at bit.ly/oil-paying-for- daunting. To accomplish two pounds per year! The fossil fuel market. Electric vehicle sales are carbon. what the author has done average American generates in her own life to kick the between 88 and 120 pounds plastic habit, is a real eye- per year. opener. Her quest led her to a bet- The author’s account of waking up to ter lifestyle all around including eating hab- noun -- to refuse to use plastic. genarian woman, Jean Hill, from Concord, the plastic issue in her own life is humor- its. She learned much about plastic to which And while Terry tells of her own plastic- Massachusetts, and what she accomplished ously described. It led her to a shocking she had been oblivious, including the types free journey, she does not push it on in her own community. Terry’s research has photo that changed everything. It was of a of plastics and the good and the bad effects readers, but hopes to simply help us to be been beautifully presented in this entertain- decomposed carcass of a Laysan albatross. of each; the whole process of recycling; more aware of just what we all are doing to ing, educational, and thought-provoking The flesh of the chick had fallen away to packaging; and the 4 R’s: refuse, reduce, this world around us and even to ourselves. book. We can all benefit by reading it and reveal a rib cage filled with plastic bottle reuse and recycle. She says we should use The book includes many exemplary stories then sharing it with our own circle of friends caps, disposable cigarette lighters and even the word refuse mostly as a verb instead of a of plastic-free heroes, including an octo- and family. 26 June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 BUILDING EFFICIENCY

DEEP ENERGY RETROFIT SNOWDOG Moisture Management in Closed Cavities CONSTRUCTION, By Michael Goetinck Bulk water has to be managed at the methods will work to keep interior relative LTD. About 20 years ago, an old time Yankee source because if it isn’t, you won’t have humidity low enough (certainly below master carpenter told me, “Michael, it a high performance building. The other 50%; preferably closer to the 20-30% doesn’t matter if water gets in as long as type of moisture that people and building range) that diffusional moisture becomes it can get out.” In one sense he was right, codes spend a great deal of time ad- more easily managed. but his experience was largely in buildings dressing is vapor. Moisture in vapor form DIFFUSIONAL MOISTURE Repairs with high drying potential (i.e., no insula- should also be managed at the source A closed-cavity assembly that is vapor- tion, roof and siding intact, high air infil- through the use of vapor retarding mem- open on at least one side and filled with Remodeling tration and exfiltration, lumber from old branes and mechanical ventilation. The hygroscopic insulation will give the best growth trees) as opposed to the homes closed-cavity building assemblies should results. Assemblies designed to dry to the Renovations that many of us want to create or retro-fit be constructed in such a way that if diffu- interior need to be constructed using a for high performance with currently avail- sional moisture gets into them they have membrane with high diffusional tight- able materials. I’ll update his statement by the ability to dry before damage occurs. ness during the heating season and high saying that a building’s ability to dry out This approach ensures the health and diffusional openness during the rest of needs to be greater than, or at least equal safety of the building and its occupants. the year. The best hygroscopic insulation to, its potential for getting wet. Below, I’ve outlined an approach that I’ve material is 100% borate- treated cellulose. found to be successful. By using these materials in concert, any BULK WATER moisture that gets into the assembly will All of the grade, foun- spread throughout the insulation without dation, roof, and wall harming it or significantly reducing its details have to be done ability to insulate and dry out before the in such a way that bulk durability of the building is compromised. water does not enter the Michael Goetinck is the owner of Snow- Norwich, Vermont 05055 building. If there is no dog Construction, Ltd, in Norwich, VT. This (802) 649-3605 way to prevent it from series will continue in Green Energy Times, coming into the base- where the author will cover other topics that [email protected] ment ( rubble-stone can help achieve the deep energy measures foundations, springs run- which help buildings’ energy performance, Snowdog Construction donates ning through the base- and so can benefit us all. 1% of gross sales to Cover Home Repair ment, etc.) then it can be managed by installing a drainage system in the basement that allows a way for water to leave the building without it Exterior vapor open membrane with vertical strapping to create a rain affecting the building’s screen. Photo by Michael Goetinck. assemblies. VAPOR This can come from a number of sources, including cooking, bathing, house plants, pets, and people. It can also come from base- ments and crawlspaces. Mechanical ventilation; whether it’s at the source (bath and kitchen fans), whole-building (heat recovery ventilation), or a combination of the two is important to install. These systems can be sized for the anticipated loads. Barriers below grade to cover dirt or concrete floors and foundations Interior smart vapor retarding membrane. will prevent vapor from Photo by Michael Goetinck getting into the basement or crawlspace. All of these

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603.359.1912 / geobarns.com BUILDING EFFICIENCY WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June 15, 2015 27 Deep Energy Retrofit in Montpelier

Achieves Net-positive Results By George Harvey older buildings. Now, the atomic ranch has undergone a deep energy retrofit, largely with the guidance of Malcolm Gray of Montpelier Construction, located in Barre, Vermont. The structure itself was altered for efficiency. Each of the four picture windows, which were six by five feet, was replaced with a pair of casement windows. A bow window also was replaced the same way. All windows and doors were upgraded with Passive House certified products Electricity for the house is provided from Deep energy renovations by Montpelier Construction have taken this Montpelier, VT home to a net-positive status. The new windows were from Klearwall, in a ground-mounted 10-kW photovoltaic They make more energy than they consume! Note the solar system far right. Photo courtesy of the owner. Ireland, and have tempered glass with an array installed by Sustainable Solutions insulation value of R-11. New doors were of Marshfield, Vermont. The panels can from the same source, with similar levels of be seasonally adjusted for tilt. A backup A recent retrofit in Montpelier, Vermont solar homes, it will only work for that pur- efficiency. propane powered generator was also is notable, partly because the house was a pose if it is engineered properly, and the Air Infiltration was reduced by two- installed. prime candidate for improving efficiency, chance of doing that by accident is pretty thirds, with numbers for blower door tests Asked whether the house has net-zero and partly because of what the retrofit small. In this case, the orientation of the being reduced from 4800 cubic feet per energy use, Malcolm Gray said, “The system achieved. house was with a north-south roof axis and minute to 1630. The number of air changes is too new, and the numbers are not all in.” The house is what is called an atomic the overall design did not have solar heat per hour was reduced from 0.8 to 0.25. But in the meantime, he is hoping to find it ranch. In the middle of the last century, this in mind. This meant that the four picture A tight house needs to have controlled is net-positive. style was thought very modern. It typically windows represented a large area for heat ventilation to bring in air that is pre-heated Learn more about Montpelier Construc- has a low roof with wide overhangs and to be lost. by extracting heat from the outgoing air. It tion and their expertise with deep energy an emphasis on picture windows. While Adding insult to injury, the insulation also needs moisture control. These needs practices at montpelierconstruction.com, this combination may be featured in many was inadequate, and the house air sealing were addressed with an energy recovery or call them at 802-229-6575. was poor, by modern standards. In time, a ventilation system by Memphremagog garage was added on the south side of the Heat Exchangers in East Montpelier. building, further reducing the possibility of New insulation was installed, of course. any solar gain. With the garage, the area of The roof got twenty-four inches of blown heated space was increased to 4000 square cellulose bringing it up to an R-90. A two- feet. to-three-season sun room, was given five When the house was built, in 1962, it inches of polystyrene, only an R-20, but a had a very modern heating system. It was large improvement over solid brick, and all entirely electric. When that turned out to insulation of the house was improved. be expensive, an oil furnace was installed The heating system was replaced by with base-board hot water heat. Though a ground-source heat pump with three the boiler was very efficient, for the time, it wells, each 150 feet deep. Though this is did not bring the building to anything like probably the most efficient active heating the modern standards. Recently, the house a house can get, it is an expensive instal- has often been empty during the winter, lation. The decision to install a ground- but even so, with all its inefficiencies it was source heat pump was at least partly based burning 2300 gallons of oil per year. on tax incentives that were not available Aside from the fact that it looked ultra- for air-source systems. modern to people in the era that produced The heat delivery system for the base- “The Jetsons,” this house was in many ways ment and ground floor were replaced with like the vast majority of the older houses one made by Myson Comfort. The old hot Super efficient windows from Ireland. Photo courtesy in the Northeast. It is representative of the water baseboard heaters in the split level of Malcolm Gray, Montpelier Construction. problems many homebuyers face with and second floor were retained in use.

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Distributed all throughout New England - call for your local dealer! BUILDING EFFICIENCY WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June 15, 2015 29 RenewAire -- Powered by Wind By George Harvey 1995, the company found that ERVs had become such a great part of its line that it spun off all products other than ERVs into a separate company. The company continued its interest in other facets of efficiency and renewable power. When its new plant was built, in 2005, the company got it certified under the EnergyStar, LEED, and Green Globes programs. Doug Steege, who was one of the Solar Specialists’ founders and is now the RenewAire’s Vice President of Business Development, explained the reason why the building was certified three times. “We needed to go through certification,” he said, “to learn about the process.” The management wanted to get the experi- Inside RenewAire’s new 100% wind-powered manufacturing plant. Certified by EnergyStar, LEED, and Green ence it would need to understand what Globes. Photo courtesy of RenewAire -- Energy Recovery Ventilation. its customers were going through with certification. RenewAire is a company based in Madi- RenewAire was founded in 1978 as So- RenewAire’s long-time attachment to energy credits, RenewAire is specifying son, Wisconsin that manufactures energy lar Specialists, by three people who were renewable and sustainable power led it to how that energy is produced and paying recovery ventilation (ERV) Products. Their very much interested in renewable energy procure their electricity from companies a bit extra for the privilege. It is all coming products bring fresh air into a building, generally. In those days, solar photovolta- with dedicated renewable energy sources. from wind farms, and a recent certifica- and vent stale air out. In that process, ics were priced at about $55 per watt, too These include Madison Gas and Electric tion from the WindMade program makes however, they recover most of the heat expensive to be very important to anyone, Companies Green Power for Tomorrow that clear. Steege says of this, “There is no from the exiting air and use it to pre-heat aside from serious experimenters. Solar and from Sterling Planet’s, Green-e Wind trick to this. Most customers can get 100% the air coming in. They may also moderate thermal, however, was already at a point renewable energy certificate programs. wind power if they want to. It is just a mat- extremes of humidity. where it was practical in some real-life Now, RenewAire is 100% wind powered. ter of doing it.” ERVs are important for just about any situations, and that was where Solar Spe- The electricity for the company is coming RenewAire’s website is renewaire.com. building with good air sealing. Since good cialists started. from the grid, but by buying renewable air sealing may be the single most impor- In a short time, more products were tant aspect of energy efficiency in build- added to the company’s product lines. ings, it is easy to see their importance. We Wind turbines became important will have an article on ERVs and how they products, and the company put up over work in the next issue of Green Energy a hundred of them. The company also Times. In the meantime, however, there put up the first grid-tied photovoltiacs in are some interesting things to consider Wisconsin. ERVs were added in 1983 and about RenewAire and its facilities. that line developed strongly. Finally, in

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BuildingAlternatives.com [email protected] BOB TORTORICE Phone (603) 823-5100 Toll Free (877) 823-5101 Green Builder 30 June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE If you plant it … EMERGING FRONTIERS IN BIOENERGY The Three ‘P’s they will come. for Permaculture Success FOOD VERSUS FUEL By David Fried, Elmore Roots Nursery The wild raisin (viburnum lentago) is a biodiesel as part of sustainable agriculture small tree or tall shrub which grows to about eight feet. It has white flower heads in the By Austin Robert Davis spring , blue-black fruits in the summer and Nationally, corn-based ethanol and verted engine or converted to biodiesel red and purple leaves in the fall. We snack palm oil based biodiesel are gaining for use in a standard diesel engine. In this on them as we walk by and so do the song- negative attention for their impacts on way, oilseed crops offer flexibility in the birds. The fruit is not juicy and is thin around the environment and food security. But end-use of the products. US corn-based a seed, but it has a spicy flavor that reminds here in Vermont, farms are producing on- ethanol mandates are raising grain costs me of Thanksgiving pies. Wild raisins can farm biodiesel to power equipment and nationally, making feed expensive for grow almost anywhere including moist operations on the farm and the local farm Vermont farmers. Local bioenergy produc- areas or light shade. community. This is a profoundly different tion means farmers produce their own The aroniaberry (aronia melanocarpa) is a model from national and international feed, fuel, and fertilizer for on-farm use, bushy shrub which grows to about five feet, biofuel production. Agricultural Engineer- at a fraction of the cost and more stable has white flowers in the spring that become ing and Agronomy Researchers at Univer- prices. Reduced and stable prices for feed, abundant juicy and slightly astringent fruit sity of Vermont Extension, in partnership fuel, and fertilizer can mean improved in mid-to-late summer. I have seen them with farmers and the Vermont Bioenergy economic viability for Vermont farms growing on top of Owl’s Head Mountain in Initiative, have developed a model of and more stable food prices for Vermont Groton State Forest, and they also love our local- minded, on-farm production of consumers in the future. moist shady woods clearings. The berries biofuels that can help rural communities Overall viability can be seen in the local have the highest rating for antioxidant phy- transition away from unsustainable mod- production for local use model by con- tonutrients, 10 times as high as broccoli. els of food, feed and fuel production. sidering economics, energy and carbon The elderberry is a bushy shrub often seen emissions. Biodiesel production along roadsides that also likes pond edges costs of between $0.60 and $2.52 and can live in a more moist locationthan per gallon have been estimated for Pollinator lane: if you plant it, they will come.... most plants. It grows well in well-drained Photos taken at Elmore Roots Nursery by David Fried farm-scale production models, which areas, too and produces large clusters of are generally below market price for purple berries in late summer and early fall. diesel fuel. The net energy return in Old time Vermonters have told me they Vermont on-farm biodiesel opera- There are three things that start with a ‘p’ never get colds because they have frozen tions has been estimated at between that are good to be thinking about: pollina- elderberry juice that they sip throughout the 2.6 and 5.9 times the invested tion, pollution and production. winter. I often harvest them by clipping the energy (i.e. more energy out than One thing that we can do to make the whole clusters into freezer bags, while above was required to produce the fuel), world better by helping all three of these: me the songbirds feast away. demonstrating strong returns and planting. Here’s how it works: The hazelnut is one of the few tall shrubs potential for improvement with in- There are so many pollinators in our pear, that can grow in partial shade. They have creased scale. plum and apple trees this week. I called a interesting catkins that hang down and tiny Furthermore, friend who is a filmmaker and asked him pink stars are the female flowers in spring. oilseed- to film this. “Look,” I said. “We don’t have to What a great flavor in September! You will based have a fancy government program to get want to harvest some when they begin to Above: Fuel at North Hard- wick Dairy is produced production pollinators back into the fields and orchards. turn from light tan to a darker tan and bring of biodiesel We simply have to plant fruit trees and berry them inside to finish ripening. The blue jays from sunflower fields that are rotated with dairy pas- has been bushes and they will come.” and squirrels are waiting until they are just estimated to When customers and friends tour the right, too, so it is wise to bring some in be- ture. Right: Sunflowers produce biodiesel to heat dairy result in a net grounds at our certified organic fruit tree fore they do. Their leaves turn an awesome reduction of and berry nursery, they see a lot of fruit. red-orange in fall and they make a great barns, and meal for cows at North Hardwick Dairy. carbon diox- “You must keep bees,” they say. screen or windbreak. Photos courtesy of VSJF. ide emissions “Nope, we keep fruit trees and the bees of up to 1420 feel welcome here because we are growing lbs. per acre, what they like.” So our experience is, if you National and global models of corn-eth- the equivalent of about 1500 miles of car grow it, they will come… anol and soy oil-biodiesel production are travel per year. Every fruit tree you plant and every resulting in large-scale land conversions Categorizing the Vermont biofuel berry bush is a mini solar collector turning in some parts of the world, in particular to model with national models and trends sunlight into fruits and nuts, and trading us a loss of native grass and forestland. This is inaccurate, considering the innovative carbon dioxide for oxygen. Humans have type of biofuel production is not happen- and efficient systems benefiting Vermont never been able to develop a system that ing in Vermont, where bioenergy produc- farmers. While national and international is more efficient than a plant’s. The trees tion incorporates rotational oilseed crops analysis weighs the benefits of food ver- around your home and street are breathing like sunflowers and soybeans on Vermont sus fuel, the model is quite unusual in Ver- in what we (and our cars and lawnmowers) Rt: After flowers farms. mont, and the food-versus-fuel challenge breathe out and they give us fresh oxygen Locally produced biodiesel supports is well met. The model developed in Ver- and shade and food. Not bad. are pollinated, the baby pears... resiliency in Vermont, a cold climate state mont does however have wider-reaching Another amazing thing about fruit and which is particularly dependent on oil. implications in that this can be replicated nut trees is you only need to plant them Left: The native elderberry is fruit- Over $1 billion leaves the state for heating in rural farm communities across the US. once. They stand there year round and their ful, multiplies ... and transportation fuel costs. Heating and As John Williamson of Stateline Farm, a roots are mining the earth for their needs, is so good for us! fuel independence by producing on-farm Vermont Bioenergy grant recipient says, while we can all be sitting on the porch sip- biodiesel provides farmers fuel security “100 years ago everyone produced their ping a lemonade. They give us fruit or nuts which is comparable to that which is own fuel; we are just doing that now in a (almost every year), and oxygen and provide The juneberry (amelanchier Canadensis) sought by Vermont’s local food move- different way.”Deb Heleba is Sustainable a natural habitat for native pollinators. Our is a small tree, to 15 ft. high or so, with a sil- ment. and Organic Agriculture Program Coordi- main task is to give them space and protect very bark that grows along forest edges and The local production for local use nator, University of Vermont Extension. them from harm. They are our allies and is the first tree to flower in the spring. The model results in two products from one together we face and address the three ‘p’s: very tasty reddish purple fruits ( blueberry- Austin Robert Davis is an intern with the crop: oil and meal (animal feed or fertil- Vermont Bioenergy Initiative, a program pollination, pollution and production. like) are good fresh or in cereal. It has rain- izer). By growing oilseed and pressing the The native fruit trees and berries are quite bow colored leaves in autumn. of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund seed to extract the oil, farms are creating that connects diversified agriculture and easy to grow and have very few challenges. So plant natives and plant apples, pears a valuable livestock feed at home, rather I guess they have been around here long and plum trees for pollinators and to fight local renewable energy production for than importing it. The oil can be sold as on-farm and community use. Learn more at enough that their novelty has worn off on pollution and for production of tasty fruits. a food product, used directly in a con- the deer, meadow voles and diseases that We can be the gentle planters and caretak- VermontBioenergy.com. prey on the newer varieties introduced to ers of the world we want to see… Vermont fruits and nuts. Some that thrive David Fried has been planting and growing here in Elmore, Vermont on our cold hillside fruit trees and nut trees and berry plants and Editor’s note - Please shop and ‘keep it local.’ When you support your local and with zero care are wild raisin viburnum, natives in Elmore, Vermont at Elmore Roots organic nurseries and orchards, you are supporting bees. They don’t use the harmful aroniaberry, the elderberry, the hazelnut Nursery for 35 years. Learn more at www. pesticides that are killing them! We need our bees. Thanks for doing your part! and the juneberry. elmoreroots.com or (802) 888-3305. Two Reviews GardenProduct helpful to determine whenthe would thinkandmay alsobe ready to use. which oneto andwhenitis turn is agreat aid, helpingmeplan I have several compost piles, this ture weeds. inorder to kill Since post pilebeat therighttempera temps mean. tive,” and “hot,” to simplifywhat the the zones are marked “warm,” “ac graduated from 40°to 180°,but The temperature readout dialis to checktheinsidetemperature. reach deepinto thecompost pile At eighteen incheslong, itcan light-weight.mometer isvery I gointo thegarden. time are every andusethemnearly ciate how differentkneepads these my jeanslastlonger!Ireally appre in they willhelpto maketheknees on ortakethemoff! And clearly, though: remembering to putthem of weather. There isaproblem me outinthegarden inallkinds now onmy must-use listandget them anddon’t slideabit. They are The padsstay rightwhere you put wet.without gettingmy knees in thegarden itrains, justafter have themon.Now Icanwork able. It’s easyto forget you They are light andcomfort thermometer. padsandacompost knee from Cate’s Garden, garden CobraHead LLC. interesting: Cate’s Garden and had sometools that looked called two companies that grueling chore,otherwise we thefunbackintobring an quest for anatural way to are inour notanoption.So cally, chemicalweed killers weeds. battle againstthepersistent like you are fighting alosing canseem overwhelmed. It of you, it’s easyto become when theweed’s getahead N.R.Mallery By SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE It’s amustinworm bin,I for acom isvitallyimportant It Cate’s Garden’s compost ther padsareThe great. knee We received two items When you grow organi I love gardening, but • Supplying ourlocalSupplying homesteads Elmore Nursery Roots • fruit trees andnative berries Come visitandtaste [email protected] 631 Symonds Rd., Mill Catalog: elmoreroots.com and communities with to helpthepollinators Elmore Vermont wha 802 8883305 that Make Gardening Fun! t you cangrow!

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- - - - Painting by Gabe Tempesta - their landbenefitfrom thestudent design on who needpermaculture design services and collaboration. Meanwhile, neighbors from present pioneersaboutleadership ofourancestors,ing skills andlearning fromknowledge alllife stages, remember met onsite, whichallows for of thesharing needs for experience acommunity are to form. Our ofmutualsupport networks allows forinterconnection functional and life ecovillage. at awell-established This Courses, are immersedin participants our Permaculture Design Certification whether inagarden orclassroom. During creating many beneficial relationships, one element withyieldsofothers, thus for amutualbenefit. We match needsof interconnection, where we align elements ecological intheirlives. practices a greater understandingofhow to apply experience the learning for peopleseeking the educational program itselfenhances I findthat applyingthemwhendesigning of resources. As apermaculture educator, ronment, food systems, andmanagement design work withlandcare, thebuiltenvi toI applytheseprinciples professional ing nature. As apermaculture designer, design guidelinesgathered from observ KayCafassoBy Principles Permaculture One principle istoOne principle design for functional Permaculture are principles essentially Photo courtesy ofKayCafasso.Photo courtesy

WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June15,201531 Courtesy ofLeahCourtesy Wittenberg: www.leahwittenberg.com - - - myself cuttingbackaplant whohasout inthegardens.this principle When Ifind and landscapes, reminded Iamoften of value feedback. withclients When working work guidedby ourteaching team. grown itsallotted location, Irealize that I at InheritanceFarminChichester, NH Knowledge, Sharing&Collaboration Local Permaculture Puppet Theater ers” ~PeterSchumann,founderofBreadand ...an inspirationforthenextgenerationofgrow of achievementforavisionaryfarmenterprise... “What abroad-mindedbookandthoroughrecord The Annual NH Save theDate!TheAnnual Another principle thatAnother principle we incorporate is Food•PermacultureinPracticeHands-on Workshops •DemonstrationsMarketplace [email protected] •www.dacres.org Permaculture Day~Sat.8/22 see thereviewonpg.25 Dorchester, NH•603-786-2366 Non-Profit, ce fNH D Acres of 218 StreeterWoods Rd. & PermacultureFarm Educational Homestead Stay up-to-date! sign upforour e-news too! in Practice in Please askforit is availableonour at yourLibrary! Chelsea Green this book Publishers, Vt. website &atthe Published by cont’d onp.35 farm! - - 32 June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

MICRO-GARDENING: You can either buy a potting mix for soil (organic is best, but not required) or ment, but also for providing a renewable use some type of local “substrate” mixture supply of healthy, high-quality food at EVERYONE SHOULD DO IT made from such materials as peanut almost no cost. It offers a sustainable, re- shells, rice husks, or coconut fiber, or newable food source that can significantly laterite. You can fertilize with your own reduce an individual’s carbon footprint. home-made compost. Dane O’Leary is a full-time freelance Seeds are inexpensive and can be writer and design blogger for Modernize. bought at hardware or garden stores, com. He has degrees in psychology and or online. If your micro-garden will be anthropology. indoors in an area that doesn’t have access to sunlight, you also need to install artificial lights, which can be less expensive than you might think. Once your micro-garden is set up and seeds are planted, all you usually have to Shop Co-ops do is remember to water your plants and check regularly to monitor for signs of Anniversary Picnic! wilting, which would mean your micro- garden needs something it’s not getting. Generally speaking, micro-garden maintenance is very minimal. Micro-gardening also has positive Sat June 20; 11-3 environmental implications. We increase Sat June 20; 11-3 our sustainability and shrink our carbon Join us for Free Family Micro basil forest. Photo by Jake Egolf footprints as we decrease our reliance on Fun, Food and Fellowship! Fun, Food and Fellowship! supermarkets and distant, conventionally 5% off in store operated farms by reducing use of fossil 5% off in store 193 North Main By Dane O’Leary fuels and other petro-chemicals. We can 193 North Main WRJ, VT 05001 A garden limited to a very small space Micro-gardening is most popular in ur- use rainwater for watering, reducing the WRJ, VT 05001 802-295-5804 and intensively cultivated is called a ban areas where outdoor space is limited. country’s water needs, and even turn our 802-295-5804 “micro-garden.” Urban dwellers have long Miniature gardens can be on balconies, food waste into compost. uppervalleyfood.coop been growing their own produce in such patios, rooftops, and tiny yards. Despite Micro-gardening recalls a time when spaces. However, contemporary micro- being especially popular among low- many of us ate only food we grew our- gardening can be done in in any type of income families and those living in urban selves or got by trading our produce with space, possibly using lined containers for areas, micro-gardening is for everyone. other gardeners. Not only is the food growing plants, even indoors. The requirements are very minimal: You superior, but it is more convenient. We can Micro-gardens can be operated almost need at least a square meter of space for pull tomatoes off our own vines. anywhere with the proper accommoda- best results. Seeds, compost, containers, Micro-gardening is inexpensive to start, tions. They also tend to need very little and a desire to put in a minimal effort are saves money, is highly productive, and maintenance. They are fairly inexpensive most of what is needed. Yields are often easy to maintain. As the cost of living to get started, and yet they can be sus- much more than expected, providing continues to rise, micro-gardening will be tainable and highly productive sources of surpluses. seen more and more as a solution that’s Your Locally Grown, Community Owned Grocery Store Since 1976! fresh, nutritious organic produce. Families can often repurpose materi- not just efficient in terms of the environ- Some people cannot imagine such a als for the garden from things found small garden can contribute significantly around the house. Potatoes can be grown to a family’s food supply. Nevertheless, in buckets, and many shallow-rooting studies by the United Nations Food and plants can grow comfortably in medium- FARMSTAND: MON–SAT 10–6, SUN 10–5 Agriculture Organization indicate that sized Tupperware containers. You should Cedar Circle Farm COFFEE SHOP: DAILY 8–5 just one square meter can provide about remember that whatever containers you East Thetford, VT • 802.785.4737 200 tomatoes each year, 36 heads of let- use should be food-safe. If they are biode- tuce every two months, 10 heads of cab- gradable, they should be lined so they do ORGANIC veggies, prepared foods, baked goods & groceries bage every three months, or 100 onions not decompose. A wooden container, for every four months. example will need a liner. plus pick-your-own BERRIES & FLOWERS! details at: CEDARCIRCLEFARM.ORG

Cont’d from p. 1 Fracked Gas: Worse than Coal include additional leakage in pipeline and communities and demand a renewable- fracking is no better than coal. A little over the Uinta Basin in Utah, scientists found distribution systems. energy, not fracked-gas, future. three%, it’s worse than coal. leakage rates in natural gas fields were a And yet another NOAA study done in True energy independence isn’t foreign So is it leaking that badly? Yep. And whopping six to 12%. NOAA researchers L.A. basin found leakage rates at an aston- multi-national corporations, fracking and there are a whole host of peer-reviewed in Colorado found leakage rates of four ishing 17%. poisoning American communities. Energy studies to prove it across the board. In percent over gas fields, and that doesn’t Switching from coal to gas is like saying independence is Americans making their “don’t smoke cigarettes they are bad for own energy on their rooftops and com- you, here smoke this cigar instead and munity buildings. We can take back our wash it down with some contaminated power, as we take back our power. water and go ahead, share it with every- There are very powerful and wealthy one in town,” because as bad as fracking is forces that are trying to force us down for the big climate picture, it’s even worse the wrong path, but working with the on local environments and communities. anti-fracking movement across the world, Air pollution, water contamination, we’ve seen something more power- heavy truck traffic and earthquakes are ful – organized communities. It’s time just par for the course when it comes to for the president who was elected by a fracking. Right now 15 million Americans grassroots movement to pay attention to within one mile of a fracking well and the grassroots movement of citizens and many more are being put at risk with scientists who are standing up and saying expansion of fracked gas infrastructure no to a fracked future. like pipelines, gas storage, compressor Josh Fox is an American film director stations, power plants and liquefied natu- and environmental activist, best known ral gas ports. This is infrastructure that for his Oscar-nominated documentary, will lock us in to decades more of heading ‘Gasland’. He is one of the most prominent down the wrong path. public opponents of hydraulic fracturing Here’s the good part of this problem: and horizontal drilling. A street is named there is a solution. We have the technol- after him in Aujac, France, a region where ogy to run our country on 100% renew- the French anti-shale-gas movement was In addition to Josh Fox and Lee Zeische being arrested , 19 other Seneca Lake Defenders were also arrested for able energy, and it’s only getting more born. Lee Ziesche is the Gasland Grassroots protesting fracked gas storage in salt caverns under Seneca Lake. Photo courtesy of ‘We Are Seneca Lake.’ affordable, but we must come together as coordinator. SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June 15, 2015 33 Prepare yourself HYBRID WIND-SOLAR SYSTEM for a Vermont future FOR RAVENNA PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN NEBRASKA with a degree in and equipment for small, ver- Hybrid Inverter. Rather than requiring a Environmental satile microgrid systems. Gen- separate inverter for each energy source, Science Pro Energy Solutions provides Pika’s REbus™ DC Microgrid connects customized energy solutions, both power sources to the utility AC grid including solar photovoltaics. through the larger central inverter. This Combined, they had all the approach is more economical than can be skills and equipment neces- had from conventional systems. It offers sary to complete the unique flexibility in site layout and design, and CLASSES AT 12 LOCATIONS STATEWIDE AND ONLINE installation. enables smarter grid management. The Dwaine Uttecht, Superin- school has access to information about 800-228-6686 tendent of Ravenna Public all of its renewable energy sources and WWW.CCV.EDU Schools, can take pride in the electrical loads from a single web-based school’s new system. He said interface. he was excited in the technol- Jeremy Anderson, GenPro’s President, ogy, partly because of the directed the installation team at Ravenna educational opportunity it Public Schools. He said, “The integration gives the school’s students. of multiple renewable technologies allows Pika’s inverters handle a combination power from different sources, He explained, “We are able to us to offer a solution for our clients that our REbus Microgrid lets students monitor making it easy to demonstrate different kinds of renewable energy to easily see the energy output maximizes independent energy produc- energy production, and hopefully get ex- students. Courtesy of Pika Energy. for the wind turbine and tion.” Going on, he pointed out, “Pika’s cited about a career in renewable energy.” solar panel and use them as a system offers two renewable technologies Chip Means, Pika Energy’s Director Pika Energy, of Westbrook, Maine, and comparison with the traditional electric- that absolutely complement each other.” of Sales Development, said the system GenPro Energy Solutions, of Piedmont, ity consumption. We use this renewable Ben Polito, President and Co-founder provides a small but significant part of the South Dakota, have completed the instal- energy at our Youth Center that is a safe of Pika Energy, added, “Wind-solar hybrid school system’s energy needs. However, it lation of the first integrated wind-solar place for students to work on homework energy systems are ideal for campus set- also makes a statement that sustainable hybrid installation at a public school in and build relationships with their peers.” tings because they can make the most energy is important and gives students a the United States. The hybrid energy sys- The hybrid system will generate power out of the resources available even on real-world educational experience they tem was installed for the Ravenna Public from both wind and solar for the Ravenna a small footprint. We are really proud to otherwise would not get. Schools in Ravenna, Nebraska. It was Public Schools. The installation includes have our technology installed at Ravenna Pika Energy’s website is pika-energy. funded by a private grant. a Pika T701 Home Wind Turbine and a High School.” He also commented on the com. 207-887-9105. Pika Energy manufactures residential ground-mounted solar array. These are educational value of the system, saying, Genpro Energy Solutions’ website is wind turbines, wind-solar hybrid systems, connected in parallel to a Pika X3001 “In addition to generating clean energy, genproenergy.com.

FRIENDS SCHOOL OF PORTLAND, MAINE Net-Zero! ‘Passive’ certification pending. By George Harvey Friends School of Portland is a indepen- of Portland of rigid insulation, for R-79. The founda- dent Quaker school for preschool through one of the tion slab similarly has varying insulation. eighth grade serving the area of Portland, very few Windows are Intus Eforte triple-glazed Maine. Since its start, it has been on an schools in uPVC units with a SHGC of 0.62 and a island in Casco Bay connected to the the United (glass only) U-factor of 0.1066. mainland by a causeway. It is in Falmouth States to Great energy efficiency in cold climates Maine, just north of Portland. achieve requires great air sealing, but that means Perhaps a Quaker school on an island Passivehaus ventilation needs to be carefully planned. in Casco Bay sounds a bit unusual, but it certification. Any efficient ventilation system recovers does not tell the real story. This school is It also made the heat from stale inside air and uses it setting a standard in resilience, energy it the largest to warm the colder, outside air it draws efficiency, and use of renewable power building in in. This is especially true in a building sources that are groundbreaking. Maine to that will have a hundred people in it. The school was founded about nine reach that The simple and relatively inexpensive years ago, and has been in rented quar- level. RenewAire ventilation systems were the ters since. They have not really been ad- Unsurpris- architects’ choice. equate to meet demand, and year by year, ingly, this Heating is provided passively, mostly children have been turned away for lack produced from what is given off by normal daily of room. It was quickly clear the school a learning activity. A Daikin minisplit air-source heat needed its own quarters. experience pump system provides any extra heat The school’s board had some interest- for more needed. ing resources immediately available to Artist’s rendering of the completed Friends School of Portland. Courtesy of Friend’s School. than one A 36-kilowatt array of solar photovol- help with a new building. Naomi Beal, the organization taics will provide power. This was ar- Chair of the Building Committee, is also involved. ranged by John Wasileski of OceanView director of PassivhausMaine, the state’s efficiency would cost too much. The builder, at Falmouth, a retirement community. He affiliate with the North American Passive Their first architects were specialists Warren Construction Group of nearby is very interested in renewable energy House Network. This gave the committee in conventional schools. These, however, South Freeport, had experience with ener- and arranged the financing for the solar. immediate access to a wealth of informa- were replaced by Kaplan Thompson gy-efficient buildings, but had not worked The school will pay a reduced bill for solar tion and expertise on energy efficiency Architects of Portland, who understood on Passive House certified buildings. The electricity for six years, at which time and healthy environments. high performance efficiency standards. same was true of Porter Building Systems the array will be paid down and will be In 2012, the school purchased twenty- As the school continued to assemble their of Gorham, Maine, the company that sup- acquired for low or no cost. one acres in a wooded area of Cumber- design and construction teams, however, plied the building’s panelized walls. Head of School Jenny Rowe says she land, Maine, the next town north of Fal- it became more and more clear what the Walls are rated at R-47, and have dense- feels pretty confident that the new build- mouth. They quickly set about planning ultimate goal would be. They would go packed cellulose between studs with four ing will get its Passivhaus certification their new building. While a highly efficient beyond the merely impressive and reach inches of rigid insulation on the exterior. during the summer. And she is quite cer- school building was clearly a priority, it for the highest standard. Two sections of the roof are of two differ- tain the new building will be functioning was unclear for a while whether any par- In the end, they decided the school ent configurations, one having twenty-six as a net-zero facility when school starts in ticular standard was to be used, let alone building would be a net-zero-energy inches of loose cellulose for R-91, and the fall. certification. Some people thought it a structure, and would also get Passivhaus the other with dense-packed cellulose Friends School of Portland’s website is building at the cutting-edge for energy certification. This made the Friends School sheathed on the exterior with four inches friendsschoolofportland.org. 34 June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 RESOURCES BUSINESS GUIDE TO ADVERTISERS: 350-Vermont: General group that coordinates a variety of statewide actions. Air Barrier Solutions, Inc. 26 LISTINGS Alternative Energy Summit 5 To join this group go to: groups.google.com/group/350-Vermont ARC Mechanical 23 American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy: Consumer guide to home energy savings - PIKA ENERGY Benson Woodworking 40 aceee.org/consumer Contact: Chip Means at (207) 887-9105. Building Alternatives, Inc. 29 American Solar Energy Society (ASES): www.ases.org 35 Bradley Drive #1, Portland, Maine. Burlington Electric Dept. 23 Backwoods Solar: Specialty: solar, off-grid - www.backwoodssolar.com Pika Energy’s products capture and Catamount Solar 13 CCV (Community College of Vt) 33 Buildings Energy Data Book: buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov manage clean power, from home wind turbines to microgrid electronics. Cedar Circle Farm 32 Clean Power Estimator: www.consumerenergycenter.org/renewables/estimator Email: [email protected] Century 21 Farm and Forest 28 Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, Heating, Appliances, Refrigerator Guide, Building http://www.pika-energy.com Common Sense Energy 27 Envelope, Driving: http://aceee.org/consumer County Tire Center 4 Dept. Public Svc. (CEDF): publicservice.VT.gov/energy/ee_cleanenergyfund.html D’Acres of New Hampshire 31 Dick Walker Sawmill 28 Dsireusa.com: www.dsireusa.com Renewables & Efficiency. Find state, local, utility, & federal incen- Elmore Roots Nursery 31 tives for renewable energy & energy efficiency. CLASSIFIEDS Energy Emporium 8 Efficiency VT: This is a must-go-to site for immeasurable amounts of info. www.efficiencyVT.com ADVERTISE IN GREEN ENERGY TIMES Farmyard Store 22 Energy Efficiency & R/E Clearinghouse (EREC): eetd.lbl.gov/newsletter/CBS_NL/nl6/Sources.html Call in your ad info or e-mail ad copy to: Frase Electric & Solar 11 INFOGREENENERGYTIMES.ORG. Deadline Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC): eetd.lbl.gov/newsletter/CBS_ Friends of the Sun 38 for Dec. 15th Issue: Nov. 30th. Up to 50 Froling 3 NL/nl6/Sources.html words: $25. Each additn’l word 65¢. Call Gary MacArthur Solar 13 Energy Guide: Unbiased advice about today’s energy choices. Find ways to save, lower your bills & help for more info: 802.439.6675. Genest 28 the earth’s environment - www.energyguide.com AD SALES POSITIONS FOR G.E.T. GEO Solar 2 Energy Star Federal Tax Credits: www.energystar.gov/tax credits. Sales Positions for VT, NH & MA. Experience preferred. Geobarns, llc 26 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): www.ferc.gov Must be serious, self-disciplined and familiar with Gerrish Honda 4 Green Energy Times - passionate about solutions for Granite State Solar 10 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission(FERC): www.ferc.gov the planet is a bonus. Must have good communication Grappone Auto Group 5 Find Solar: www.findsolar.com skills. Work from home - for the sake of the planet. Great Brook Solar 19 Fossil Fuel Freedom: Group working to make Vermont’s energy plan 100% free of fossil fuels: Serious inquires only. Send cover letter and resume Green Mountain Community Solar 8 To join this group go to: groups.google.com/group/fossil-fuel-freedom- to [email protected]. Greenfield Community College 21 H. A. Manosh 22 Greywater Info: www.oasisdesign.net/greywater PERMACULTURE Halfmoon Constructon 18 Home Energy Saver: Interactive site to help you identify & calculate energy savings opportunities in Design Course with Sowing Solutions at Sirius EcoVil- High Peaks Solar 19 your home. A lot of great information! - hes.lbl.gov lage near Amherst MA~ July 17th - 30th in 2015. Learn about edible landscapes, community resilience, Integrated Solar Applications 12 Home Power Magazine: www.homepower.com water harvesting, energy efficiency, natural build- Interiors Green 39 IREC/ Interstate Renewable Energy Council: RE educational info. www.irecusa.org ing, and ecological design practices for your own Iron Edison 14 J. Myers Builders, Inc 29 NABCEP/ North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners: This organization that tests & home. Attend this inspirational summer training & certification course! (College credits are available/ LEDdynamics 23 certifies PV system installers. Individuals are Certified, companies are not. www.nabcep.org optional) www.PermacultureSeries.org Loewen Window Center 23 NESEA/ Northeast Sustainable Energy Assoc.: www.nesea.org Luci Solar Lights 19 VERMONT INSULATED CONCRETE FORMS National Association of Energy Service Co. (NAESCO): www.naesco.org Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op 32 Building for a secure future? We are distributors of National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): www.nrel.gov Milhouse Enterprises 10 Amvic ICF since 1999. [email protected] 1-866-VTFORMS Montpelier Construction Co. 27 National Solar Institute: www.nationalsolarinstitute.com cell: 802 793 0673 www.amvicsystem.com. Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum 37 NeighborWorks® Alliance of Vermont: Low-cost energy loans - www.vthomeownership.org NESEA 18 New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Assoc. NHSEA Focused on N.E. US, for consumers & industry- RE Sunnyside Solar Store’s netZero Village 39 & clean building info, events. www.nhsea.org SECONDHAND SOLAR N.E. Commercial Solar Services 8 New York Solar Energy Industries Association/NYSEIA www.nyseia.org NH Electric Co-op (NHEC) 23 “There are Always deals!” Oakes Bros. Supplies 29 NFRC independent rating & labeling system for the windows, doors, skylights www.nfrc.org/ Now oﬀering a used equipment/ O’Meara Solar 7 NH Office of Energy and Planning: www.nh.gov/oep/programs/energy/RenewableEnergyIn- consignment service. PAREI 14 centives.htm We love DYI solar tinkerer’s. Peck Solar Electric 15 Renewable Energy World: www.renewableenergyworld.com Stop by soon and Shop Local for Perry’s Appliances 22 Renewable Energy Vermont: www.revermont.org aﬀordable Solar! Pika Energy 11 Power Guru 8 SEIA/ Solar Energy Industries Association: The SEIA Tax Manual to answer your solar related tax ques- 499 Marlboro Rd. Brattleboro, Prudent Living 9 tions. www.seia.org VT. 802 376-3838 R.H. Irving Homebuilders 26 SmartPower: www.smartpower.org RAE Batteries 14 Solar Components: www.solar-components.com Real Goods Solar 8 Solar Living Source Book: realgoods.com/solar-living-sourcebook RenewAire 29 Revision Energy 11 Solar Power Rocks: Impressive data and info ,including per state. www.solarpowerrocks.com/ Revolution Solar 19 Solar Store of Greenfield, MA Stock & install a wide variety of solar & environmentally friendly tech- cont’dVT’s on Statewide p. 15 Solar Tours Saxton River Solar 8 nologies. SolarStoreofGreenfield.com an opportunity to work together to re- Sherwin Solar Company 15 Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP): www.energytaxincentives.org power Vermont through shared, group Sisler Builders 26 solar arrays, like the one in my backyard,” Smart Energy of New England 15 The Energy Grid: www.pvwatts.org said Evergreen Erb of Jericho. Snowdog Construction 26 The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE): develops & deploys efficient & clean The grassroots event is supported by Solar Pro 8 energy technologies that meet our nation’s energy needs - www.eere.energy.gov Renewable Energy Vermont, with new Solar Source 13 sites being added throughout June. Solar Tech 13 Track the Stimulus Money: www.recovery.gov/Pages/home.aspx About Celebrate Solar Tours - June 20. Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN): works to start and support town energy The first annual Celebrate Solar Tours on Solar Up NH 10 Solarize Southern Tier 19 committees as a powerful, people-powered response to realizing a clean energy future. www.vecan.net. June 20 will feature public tours of more Soveren Solar 13 Vermont Tar Sands Action: Group working to stop the XL Pipeline and any other developments stemming than 40 solar systems of varying size throughout the state. The public will have TARM USA 40 from the Alberta Tar Sands. To join this group go to: groups.google.com/group/vt-tar-sands-action the opportunity to get an up-close under- The Flying Goose Restaurant 37 VPIRG: understand the clean energy resources available to VT - www.vpirg.org/cleanenergyguide standing of the technology, economics Umiak Outdoor Outfitters 36 VT Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC): nonprofit organization that issues home energy ratings for and benefits to the community. Open Upper Valley Co-op 32 systems will be designated with roadway USA Solar Store - Greenfield 20 new & existing homes. 800-639-6069 - www.veic.org signage and many will feature refresh- USA Solar Store - Sunnyside 12 Weatherization, Energy Star & Refrigerator Guide: www.waptac.org ments, music, or other entertainment. Vermont Soap Organics 38 www.susdesign.com/tools.php Online info for solar benefit with house design. i.e. window over- Contact: Ansley Bloomer, Renewable Wright Builders 21 hangs, sun angle & path… Energy Vermont, 802-595-0723 Ansley@ Wright Construction Co., Inc. 27 revermont.org IT’S A GREEN LIFE …AFTER ALL WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June 15, 2015 35 Is 2015 the ‘Year of the Ticks’? Reasons & Repellents By Larry Plesant By Green Energy Times Staff We should not let tiny biting creatures keep us from enjoying summer. Never- theless, with the high tick population in ELECTRONIC CRACK the northeast and the diseases they can We’ve all heard comments that levels to quickly build up beyond also carry moving into the area, it is more smartphones, which moving forward normal parameters. It doesn’t matter important than ever to protect ourselves we will refer to as rectangles, being if your delivery system is a glass crack and our pets against the diseases that “electronic crack.” Well the scientific pipe or a 6-inch plastic rectangle. The ticks carry. data is coming in, and it turns out that results are exactly the same, though Most of us have at least heard of Lyme the electronic crack remark is spot-on. the dosage is smaller. disease. It is not terribly difficult to treat, Here’s why: if it is attended to quickly enough, but it You know how good and self-satis- seems most people miss noticing it until fied you feel after completing a task it is too late. The infamous bull’s-eye rash like cleaning your house or organizing is not always present, and mild symptoms your desk? That is because our brains are often dismissed. It can have flu-like have a built in reward mechanism that symptoms, nausea, and headache, but Dog tick. Photo by Gary Alpert, GNU Free Documenta- gives us a shot of dopamine, (as in in time can produce serious joint pain tion License. Wikimedia Commons “why do you think they call it dopa- and chronic fatigue. It is best to see your mine?”), when we accomplish some- physician when problems come up. thing. It’s kind of like getting a treat for Unfortunately Lyme disease is not the Among the repellents tested, the one being a good girl or boy. worst tick-borne illness. The same ticks that was best seems to have been Fisher- Well, it turns out this reward mecha- carry a new threat called Powassan dis- man’s Formula, which uses Picaridin. nism is actually quite stupid. It gives ease, which can cause serious problems The Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent out that shot of dopamine whenever within hours, and can be fatal. has effects similar to those of DEET, but YOU feel like you accomplished a We should not indulge in assumptions will not easily harm gear or equipment. task. This applies not only big things about ticks. They can be anywhere, even It repels mosquitoes and ticks, and also like discovering a new non-polluting in cities. Researchers at one built-up keeps many other biting insects away. energy source, but really little dumb- place near Philadelphia found that ticks These include stable flies, black flies, were nearly as common as in the deep gnats, chiggers, and sand flies. The topical ass little things like deleting spam or Yippieeee. Photo by Matthias Zirngibl from forwarding a Facebook post about a woods, with large numbers carrying Lyme repellent is effective for up to 14 hours. A Germany. Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 disease. Also, cold winters do not always spray is also available, which is effective cat that can dance on its hind legs (as Generic license. one example). kill them off. A thick blanket of snow can for up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and Yes, it’s true. We get rewards from insulate them from winter’s coldest air. ticks, and about eight hours against biting making simple, silly little decisions To learn more about the numerous The Center for Disease Control and flies. It is available online at places like like deleting, forwarding or otherwise ways that smartphones are making Prevention recommends daily tick checks backcountry.com. Cabela’s, and Camphor. dealing with words on your rectangle, us addicted and stupid, check out the after being outdoors, even in your own You might find it at stores in much of the because they involve making ANY work of neuroscientist David J. Levitin yard. It also suggests using repellents and Northeast, such as REI, Dicks Sporting type of decision. They can and most and The Guardian Newspaper online. showering soon after being outdoors. If Goods, Eastern Mountain Sports, and REI. likely will trigger the dopamine reward This is the Soapman, saying, “Don’t you find a tick, you should not burn it, You can check at https://sawyer.com/ mechanism. be a dopamine head. Stay off the elec- squeeze it, or cover it with lotion. Instead where-to-buy/. So there it is. Playing with your tronic crack.” remove it gently with tweezers or a tick Repel is another repellent, and it is rectangle is the brain’s equivalent of remover, prying on it until it backs out. Do based on oil of lemon eucalyptus. It is Larry Pleasant is a writer, philosopher, not burn the tick to kill it. Instead store it plant-based and derived from oil ob- smoking crack cocaine. This is literally part-time farmer and soap maker living true, since cocaine works by blocking so it can be checked if you develop symp- tained from the leaves of the Eucalyptus and working in the Green Mountains of toms. You can put it into a jar with alcohol citriodora tree. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus one of the dopamine feedback recep- Vermont. More at vermontsoap.com. tors, allowing your brain dopamine in it and a date on the lid. You should, of gives you up to 6 hours of protection. It course, call a doctor if you get a fever or should be good for about six hours, at rash. which point it can be reapplied. It is not We can reduce the likelihood of having recommended to be applied more than a problem with ticks in advance, by using twice per day, however. It is available at repellents. Consumer Reports has had an many stores; we have been told it can be Off-Grid in the City excellent article, covering a number of found at Walgreen’s. cont’d on p. 14 options for bug bites, including natu- Insect repellents are not without side ral, milder herbal chemicals. Their tests effects. They should be used sparingly, off-grid homeowner’s use is the flooded to go for a much longer period of time included the length of time they work and especially on young children and the lead-acid battery. With daily cycling a without needing to replace the battery. effectiveness of the ingredients. You can elderly. They should only be used when lead-acid battery will need to be replaced Being off-grid in the city is now a reality. watch a video at bit.ly/consumer-reports- needed. And please, read the label for use about every five years. Over a 30-year It is time to gain energy independence by on-bug-repellents. and safety. period, this battery replacement can add breaking away from the utility by generat- up to be very expensive. Further, when ing power with a home solar and battery the lead-acid batteries are removed, most system. are shipped to Mexico or overseas for recy- Maggie Williams is the co-founder of Iron cling. Most of these lead-acid recycling Permaculture Principles In permaculture we strive to go beyond Edison Battery Company sustainability (which can be described plants are dirty and unregulated. cont’d from p.31 Another battery option gaining popu- as meeting needs of the present without larity in off-grid applications is the nickel- am not just weeding but harvesting some- compromising needs of the future). We fo- iron battery, which has a 30-year life and thing medicinal or culinary. I gather the cus on replenishing and yielding a surplus is environmentally friendly. Developed by feedback that we have created a surplus to create conditions for a possible ‘state Thomas Edison over 100 years ago, the and designed well for abundance! of sustainability’. That state calls for great nickel-iron battery is freeze-resistant and I also experience value feedback hear- cultural shifts, relearning of practical and can be fully discharged without damag- ing what students do a few months, or ecological life skills, and many other skills ing the cells. Just like lead-acid batteries, perhaps years, after graduating the course. addressed in our design course. Designing nickel-iron batteries require distilled water We hear of a CSA farm featuring perennial this learning environment with permac- refills, but no other battery on the market crops in Hudson; an urban bee habitat ulture principles in mind ensures that the today will last as long. project in LA; a straw-bale home in Sara- educational experience is alive, diverse, For the homeowner who is not interest- toga; a thriving university dining services and thriving. ed in battery maintenance, a lithium iron garden in Amherst; an edible, therapeutic Websites are www.PermacultureSeries. battery is a great fit. A lithium iron battery garden for city schools in New Bedford; a org and www.SowingSolutions.org. is maintenance-free and will last 14 years woman constructing her own tiny house Kay Cafasso is an ecological designer, being cycled daily. For comparison, a in Ithaca. Their stories are about how inte- permaculture educator, and Director of sealed lead-acid battery will last about Iron Edison 48V 700Ah 36kWh Lithium Battery for grating numerous permaculture principles Sowing Solutions Permaculture Design & four years, so this allows the homeowner Solar. Photo courtesy of Iron Edison. in their work enhanced their success. Education, based in Greenfield, MA. 36 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 June 2015 SUSTAINABLE SPORTS “Was’SUP?” Steve Brownlee (left), Sage and Tyler Brownlee (below STAND-UP PADDLING …THAT’S WHAT rt), paddling on Lake Dun- By Roger Lohr more Salisbury, Vermont. Stand-up be as easy as snowshoeing is on the snow Far left and below: Fun on paddling - the paddleboard is about 10 to12 feet paddleboards at Water- (SUP) is now long covered with a nonslip deck pad. bury Reservoir, Vermont. the newest As you might imagine there are dif- Photos by Emma Brownlee contagious ferent paddleboard models for different water chic. paddleboard genres such as touring, Statistics for racing, surfing, performance or relaxation, stand-up for women, for yoga, and river fun. Select paddling, a paddleboard by how much you weigh, which is where you want to go, and how much among the experience you have as a surfer or wind- fastest grow- surfer. You can buy paddleboard packages ing forms of with the board, paddle and other acces- recreation, sories and as a combination. is 70% Length is the key issue with regard to male and a the paddle. A longer paddle provides median age a stronger stroke and a shorter paddle of 37. There were 150,000 paddleboards can offer a quicker cadence. But a sore sold in 2011 (double the number sold back and shoulders are the price to pay the previous year) and according to the with the wrong size paddle. It’s probably Outdoor Industry Association there were a good idea to try out different paddles 1.2 million people, who paddled on a because there are a variety of selection choices such as blade width, material or more speed. A leash will keep you con- stand-up paddleboard in 2011. nected to the board and a flotation device So what’s SUP about? It appears that type, handle type and whether it is one piece, adjustable, or able to be broken can save your life in difficult situations. people are doing it whereever there’s There’s also “SUP etiquette” to keep peace water – on ponds and lakes, on rivers, and down into smaller pieces so it’s easier to take on a trip. Recommendations on the and get along with other paddle-boarders surfing waves on the shoreline. I’m think- particularly when surfing waves and of ing that destinations such as Lake Tahoe SUPConnection.com website: to get the right size paddle place the end of the course, it makes sense that stand-up pad- in CA/NV or Winnipesaukee in NH would dlers be good swimmers. be a vista-strewn experience on a paddle- paddle on the ground and raise your arm above your head while flattening your Prices? New paddleboards start at board, but really, any water will do. about $800 and can go to $2,000 while hand so the paddle tucks into your palm. Roger Lohr is is the founder and editor of It looks like the easiest way to start paddles range at $80-400. Paddleboard Racers should reach as high as possible XC Ski Resorts dot com. He is also a prolific stand-up paddling is to rent a board, find packages are sold with the accessories with the arm to get a longer paddle. national writer on sports. Read more at some calm water to help build confidence ranging from $800 to 1,500. So get on out Other gear issues include paddleboard XCSkiResorts.com. balancing on the board, and go with an there on a paddleboard. existing paddle-boarder to get the sport’s fins that are available to be installed singly nuances (including spiritual). It appears to or as a set to allow better maneuverability ’Solar Sal’ A Solar-powered Sailboat Retrofit By Joanne Coons Solar Sal, a 40-ft solar-powered boat, is go canal. The Erie Canal provided efficient a great example of a project that had the water transportation to Buffalo in three participation of a broader community. In days rather than cumbersome wagon ride this case there was not only a dedicated that could take weeks. I hope you see the group of friends and helpers, but also parallel evolution here: from wagon and help from an unlikely-sounding place, a horse to canal boat and horse, then to die- school system. A lifelong commitment to sel boats and interstate trucking, and now utilizing solar photovoltaics to power our to solar-powered car and solar-powered needs drove David Borton to bring water boat. transportation to a new level. There are many reasons David’s dream David had built several more modest has become a reality. Many people sup- solar-powered boats, ported his imagina- including his twenty- tive idea. Support foot boat, Sol. A can come in the dream of larger craft form of a place to turned into reality as build. Bob Horan, Sol scaled up to forty superintendent of feet. David shared Schodack Schools, his imaginative ideas arranged for the with like-minded school district to people who saw the support building of need to make boats this boat by provid- more sustainable. ing a bay in their (Good-bye dirty bus garage, and that fossil fuel polluting is where Solar Sal our air and water.) was built. Water transportation The school powered by the sun makes perfect sense system’s help paid off in education. The because it’s all about reduced friction art, history, science, technology, building and unlimited full sun out on the water. A skills, and design skills were integrated sleek hull design lets a boat cut through into school curricula with students and water like a hot knife through butter. faculty interaction. Imagine the pride Buoyancy counteracts gravity. that a youngster gets to participate first Years ago, America’s growth to the hand, and then sees this collaborative west from Albany, NY was an ambitious effort evolve to be a functioning boat that dream that turned into reality based on navigates on the Hudson and Mohawk riv- waterways. A geological pass through the ers. This can-do attitude teaches students hills of upstate New York provided the how all things are possible right site for a hand dug, design-as-you and not to give up, but to cont’d on p.38 ART, THEATER, & DINING ... in the GREEN WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG June 15, 2015 37 Eating to SUMMER FUN from the SUN CoolCool OffOff Solar-Powered Stage By Linda Prout By N.R. Mallery includes an “edible landscape” garden. The stage officially opened in October, 2013. DoBros. Ranging from jazz and soul to While the events scheduled funk and psychedelic rock.”Soulfunk for the 2015 season started on rage-jazz”. https://www.facebook.com/dig. May 23, there is a summer full grooves?fref=photo of fun that is powered from the • July 28 5:30-8pm. Tim Fischer & Brad sun, scheduled for 2015. Here is Myrick. http://timfischermusic.com/ what they have • July 31 6-9pm. Questionable Com- lined up as of pany. A folk-funk trio from Burlington, Vt. this printing. http://www.questionablecompany.com/ Yin foods cool us off and yang foods • June 19 6-9 • August 10 6-9pm. Beechwood. heat us up, according to Traditional pm. Jake Davis • August 15 4-10pm MainStreet Warner Chinese Medicine (TCM). This is good to and the Film Festival. https://filmfreeway.com/ know when temperatures reach triple dig- Whiskey Stones festival/MainStreetWarnerFilmFest its or you are uncomfortably hot. It’s also The Jim Mitchell Com- is a string band • August 18 5:30-8pm. Tom Pirozzoli’s helpful in winter when you can’t seem to munity Park, in Warner, playing soul- music is rooted in a broad tradition that warm up. New Hampshire, opened filled American uniquely combines jazz, classical and pop Yin foods, according to TCM, are to the public on October music. Seacoast, for a truly original sound. http://pirozzoli. moistening and cooling. This has little to 10, 2010, through the ef- NH. http:// com/. do with the moisture content of the or forts of the non-profit MainStreet Warner, jdavismusic.com/. • August 21 Bradford Bog People. how cool a food is to the touch. In fact, ice Inc. This Park was inspired and initiated by • June 26 6-9 pm.The Tenderbellies Fiddle, banjo, guitar… http://www. cream and icy martini are both heating. In Jim Mitchell and his legacy to give back blend Americana, bluegrass, new grass, bradfordbogpeople.com/ other words they can heat you up. to a town he so loved. Mitchell, who died jazz and rock. Burlingtonbased string band. Additional events as they are con- Yin foods are able to cool your body unexpectedly in 2008, was the brother https://soundcloud.com/tenderbellies- firmed or changed can be found at www. core, irrespective of temperature. Ex- of Katharine (Mitchell) Nevins, and who bluegrass. mainstreetwarnerinc.org and through the amples are found in summer favorites: along with her husband, Neil, opened • July 7 5:30-8pm. Etna Old Time bookstore website at www.mainstreet- watermelon, cucumbers, salads, to- the solar-powered bookstore, MainStreet Association is a new-old-time duo rooted bookends.com/park-stage-events. matoes, eggplant and summer squash BookEnds in 1998. Together they co- in Etna, NH. Traditional and newer tunes of Something wonderful is happening in Many leafy greens are cooling, especially founded MainStreet Warner, Inc. in 2000. bluegrass and folk. http://etnaoldtime. Warner! spinach. Crab, clams and mung beans are The MainStreet Warner Stage is located com/ http://etnaoldtime.com/#/#video. quite cooling. in the amphitheater of the park, and is • July 10 6-9pm. Beechwood is an I was fascinated to see a prominent adjacent to MainStreet BookEnds. acoustic duo/trio, playing a mix hospital in Beijing keep patients cool in Nevins said her brother became an of originals and covers blend of summer not by turning on the AC, but ambassador for Warner, and coined the Old Folk, Bluegrass, Country, by feeding them mung beans and green phrase, “Something wonderful is happen- Rock, Blues. http://beechwood- vegetables. ing in Warner.” Those words are inscribed acoustic.wix.com/beechwood Red meat, especially lamb, is warm- on the ground in the park and in the • July 14 5:30-8pm. “BEAT ing. Add warming spices such as garlic, hearts of this community. FEST” drumming event. You are ginger, cardamom and you have a recipe A 13th-century post-and-beam barn invited to bring your own drums for generating big time heat. Save these design, the stage was designed and built and rhythm instruments. http:// foods for winter. by the community - by local carpenters, kathylowemusic.com. Moist seafood tends to be neutral or volunteers, and with funds raised from • July 17 6-9pm. Pat & the Hats cooling and duck is neutral but moisten- the community, as well. It is run on four is an original award-winning, ing so good choices for summer. Bean solar panels, installed by Harmony Energy modern rock band from Central dishes such as white bean salads or hum- Works of Hampton, New Hampshire. The NH. http://www.patandthehats. mus are good protein choices and thus park is irrigated by a stored rainwater sys- com/ Top left two pics were taken in August, 2014 by N.R. Mallery. taste particularly good on hot days. tem installed by Greenleaf Irrigation, and • July 18 5:30-9pm. DIG - fest. The Top & bottom right pics: The stage in 2015. Photos courtesy of Katherine Nevins, Main Street Bookends, Warner, NH. Anything raw, including salads or sushi, is more cooling than cooked fish or vegetables. Most raw fruits are cooling and moistening, although a few, including cherries are warming. NH’s 1st Solar Alcohol is hot, plain and simple. A frosty margarita may taste good going down, Powered Brewery but that tequila will heat your very core. Same goes for beer and wine, although white wine is less heating than red. The mt. kearsarge headaches many suffer after drinking red wine are linked to its heating nature. Heat indian museum rises and headaches can be the result. Strangely hot spicy foods, while initially feel heating and likely to cause a sweat, Open Daily, May-October are ultimately cooling. Perspiration and di- lated capillaries cool the body, eventually. North American Indian Cold drinks and frozen desserts may feel cooling at first, but they cause the Art & Artifacts · Nature body to generate heat. People living in 17 Handcrafted Brews on Tap hot climates know warm soups and teas Trail · Garden · Events · Family Friendly Sustainable Restaurant are more cooling than icy drinks and cold Museum Store foods. Serving Lunch/Dinner Daily Linda Prout is the author of ‘Live in the Balance, the Ground-Breaking East-West Intertribal Powwow www.flyinggoose.com Nutrition Program.’ She developed the July 11 and 12 nutrition program at the Claremont (CA.) 603-526-6899 Resort and Spa in Berkeley as well as the detox program for the Six Senses Spa in 18 Highlawn Rd. Warner, NH 40 Andover Road, New London, NH Turkey, and much more. Learn more about (603) 456-2600 nutrition, yin-yang balance, and much more 1 mile east off exit 11, I-89 [email protected] at: lindaprout.com. 38 June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675 IT’S A GREEN LIFE …AFTER ALL Round-up Troubles By George Harvey Here is yet another example of a those other organisms dependent on potentially dangerous product that has them, including the monarch butterfly. It been widely unleashed on the unwitting is a pattern repeated over and over, with public and the environment before it has many species of plants and the animals been proven harmless. that depend on them. In late March we got word that the We have no way to understand exactly World Health Organization (WHO) has how extensive the problems with Round- classified glyphosate as a “probable up are. Nevertheless, since glyphosate is carcinogen.” Glyphosate is the chemical the most commonly used weed killer, it is name for the Monsanto product Round- a big problem. up, which is the most commonly used Over the years since it was introduced, weed-killer in the world. It is often used the weeds it is used to kill have gradually in conjunction with genetically modified produced resistant strains naturally. This (GM) crops, specifically engineered to be has come to the point that the product immune to its effects. has declining value as a weed killer. At This is hardly a surprise to some. the same time, as more of it is applied, Longtime readers of Green Energy Times it does more environmental damage to and visitors to our website may remem- unintended victims. ber that we posted a press release on The news that the WHO has classified Roundup in 2012. That article reported a glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, peer-reviewed paper in the journal Food based on its own research, makes us and Chemical Toxicology, which said believe farmers should not use it, and quite a lot damning the product. citizens should use neither it nor the Among other things, that article said, genetically modified products raised “Researchers found that rats fed on a diet with it. Monsanto takes the position that containing NK603 Roundup-tolerant GM the WHO’s research is flawed. Roundup maize, or given water containing Round- represents about 10% of the company’s up at levels permitted in drinking water roughly $15 billion gross revenues. and GM crops in the US, died earlier than rats fed on a standard diet. They suffered mammary tumors and severe liver and kidney damage.” The entire article can be seen at bit.ly/GET-Roundup-2009. eed e one ecipe Environmentalists had this product in W -B -G R their sights long before that, and for a It will kill anything you spray it on. simple reason: it is a killer. Its purpose is Ingredients to kill any of a broad spectrum of living • 1 Gallon Vinegar organisms that are exposed to it. Many of these are bacteria, but they also include • 2 Cups Epson Salt a range of plants from grasses to shrubs • 1/4 Cup Dish Soap cont’d from p.36 and trees. If this reminds you of Agent Preparation ’Solar Sal’ Orange, it is probably for good reason. • Just mix and spray in the morning, work on solving the problem until you Researchers working on glyphosate after the dew has evaporated. Walk noticed a number of things about it find the solution. that made them think it had value. One away. Go back after dinner and the Community members also volunteered is that it had relatively little effect on weeds are all gone! time and talent daily with long hours. The most animals they tested. Another is Cheaper than anything you can buy Southern Saratoga Chamber of Com- that there were a number of plants that anywhere! Never buy Round-up again merce saw the potential for this viable were naturally resistant to it, which made form of transportation to move goods and them hope that it would be possible to people and develop economic growth. genetically engineer DNA of seeds of Special local lumber was ordered. Manu- other species so they would be resistant facturers of products that were used saw to it as well. They achieved that, and new applications of their products includ- Monsanto marketed the GM seeds as ing solar panels, batteries, hull coatings “Roundup Ready.” [sic] and electric motors. each student, community member, and A simple example of why it is a In the end, time, energy, talent and teacher who participated. All the good problem is that it destroys milkweed perseverance have taught the Schodack, lessons learned will grow in each one of effectively and is causing the species NY community a lesson that cannot be these individuals, so they can turn their to decline. As milkweeds decline, so do found in a text book. Seeds of imagina- own dreams into reality, making a better, tive thought were planted in the minds of more sustainable world.

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THE HOME AND LIVING STORE

By Jessica Barber Goldblatt Flowers Nasturtiums. You Blossoms have a Can Borage.Eat This fuzzy-leaved herb A sprinkling of colorful flower pet- peppery flavor like watercress. All col- has sky-blue flowers with a light als in a salad, a tiny bouquet of Johnny ors and varieties are tasty in salads or as cucumber taste. Add to fruit salads, jump-ups on a birthday cake or a sautéed garnishes. Leaves can be eaten, too. green salads or freeze in ice cubes for daylily bud in a stir fry. Edible flowers cold drinks. are a fun and easy way to add color and Marigolds. Use the tiny flowers of flavor to all sorts of dishes — especially signet marigolds, such as Lemon Gem Bee balm. This member of the when you can pick them right from your and Tangerine Gem. Their blossoms mint family has minty-tasting flowers. own yard. You can grow edible flowers in have a citrus taste. Colors range from bright red to pur- large pots, a dug garden bed, raised bed Pansies and Johnny jump-ups. ple and pink. or raised wooden box filled with organic A salad of cooked vegetables with flowers. These flowers have a wintergreen flavor Chamomile. English chamomile Photo by Yelkrokoyade. GNU Free Documenta- soil... Mix organic compost, dirt, manure, and are pretty on cakes and other des- has small, daisy-like flowers with an tion License Wikimedia Commons. rock phosphate, green sand all of which serts. Glaze with warmed jelly for a jew- apple-like flavor. If you’re allergic to rag- can be bought at local feed or garden eled look. weed, you might want to avoid cham- stores. Just watch that no chemical fertil- Calendula. An easy and prolific omile. izers are used. edible flower that’s easy to grow from Most edible flowers are best eaten Daylily. Daylily buds and flow- seed right in the garden. Separate the raw—simply pick and rinse with water. ers taste a bit like asparagus. They can petals from the center of the flower Flowers will taste and look their best right be used as a garnish, or can be stuffed and sprinkle the petals into salads. Col- after they have opened, rather than after or made into fritters. Good in stir-fries, ors range from pure yellow to orange they have been open for a few days. too. and red. Remove spent flowers and the There are only two important things plants will bloom continuously from Mint. Like bee balm, all flowers to remember about edible flowers: First early summer into late fall. of the mint family are edible and have is that not every flower is edible. In fact, a pleasant taste. Try lemon balm or some flowers can be poisonous. So stick Anise hyssop. If you like anise, this spearmint in iced tea. with flowers on the list below, or do suf- is the edible flower for you. Separate Squash blossoms. Use these as ficient research to ensure your safety. The the florets and add them to sweet or you would daylilies (see above). second caution is to avoid flowers that savory dishes. Or use the full flowers to may have been sprayed with an insecti- garnish a cheese plate. Jessica Barber Goldblatt is the owner of cide, fungicide or herbicide. Most edible Honeysuckle. The blossoms make Interiors Green -- the Home and Living Store flowers—except for roses—are easy to a pretty addition to salads. Don’t use at 2021 Main Street in Bethlehem, NH. grow. the berries; they’re poisonous. www.interiorsgreen.com. Alliums. Chives, leeks and garlic are all delicious in green salads, potato Scarlet runner beans. Mix these and pasta salads and dips. Remove the bright-red flowers into salads, or in with central stem from the flower cluster to steamed veggies. release the separate florets.

Another reason to shop local! WARNING! Tainted Plants at Many Retail Garden Centers! Staff Article So what does this mean? Lowe’s will In April 2015, we heard some good phase out neonics and plants pre-treated news from the Toxic Action Center: that with them by the spring of 2019. It is Lowe’s has finally committed to get rid of also working with suppliers to minimize bee-killing pesticides! pesticide use overall and move to safer The results from a strong network of alternatives. Please note that this means allies working on this campaign mean that the products being sold until 2019 that Lowe’s has made the most significant will still be tainted and can kill our important pollinators! While Lowe’s progress is encourag- ing, we have a ways to go to assure the future of bees and the necessary pollination they provide to us. The next-largest garden retailers, True Value and Ace, have yet to make any similar commitments on bee-killing pesticides. We hope that they will soon also commit to the same so that everyone can plant bee-friendly gardens! Please think about the bees when shopping for plants. If we make smarter Neonics, that are found in many plants being sold choices by buying from locally-sourced in commercial retail markets, can kill our bees. Bees and especially organic nurseries, we’ll get are important pollinators! Photo: http://farm9.static. bee-toxic pesticides off the shelves, out of flickr.com/8506/8475706265_849d8269a5_m.jpg our backyards, and out of our communities. It’s our future. We need to eat. We public commitment so far for a retailer of need the bees! its size. It has joined a growing number of Contacts: Toxic Action Center: www. retailers that are taking action on neonics, toxicsaction.org including Home Depot and BJ’s Wholesale Club, but it has gone further by setting a Montpelier, VT: (802) 223-4099; Amherst, firm date to stop selling plants raised with MA: (413) 253-4458; Concord, NH: (603) them. 229-1331; Sylvia Broude - Executive Director (617) 747-4407 [email protected].

Read about the toxicity of Neonicotinoids at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonicotinoid 40 June 15, 2015 WWW.GREENENERGYTIMES.ORG 802.439.6675

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