Update on the Green Communities Grant and Various Energy Projects
Prepared by Assistant Town Administrator Charleen Greenhalgh
Green Communities and energy conservation are moving along in Truro. In January we hired Rebecca Bruyn as the Energy Administrator. Rebecca was instrumental in getting us on track to coordinate and begin implementing some of the energy conservation measures outlined in the Truro Energy Reduction Plan. We have some exciting projects in the works that will not only save the town money, but the environment will benefit as well.
At the Community Center we are looking to replace the existing boiler system with a more energy-efficient heating system for the building and a cleaner-running model. The funding for this will be from both the $141,200 Green Communities Grant as well as incentives from Cape Light Compact.
At the Public Safety Facility we are looking at a completely new heating system with a conversion from oil to propane boilers. Also, we are installing additional insulation to the second-floor area in order to increase energy efficiency.
Truro Central School insulation will be added to the attic area of the North Wing. This work will be done during the April school vacation. Additionally, a tank-less hot water system will be installed along with heating zone system for better control and efficiency.
Throughout the Town we have replaced five copiers with EnergyStar rated copier/printers, and we are investing in the use of sensing-surge protectors and other energy-efficient products. At this time were are estimating an annual cost saving of more than $20,000. Very exciting indeed. Stay tuned for more updates on our energy conservation efforts.
If you have any questions or suggestions for energy conservation at town facilities, please email me: assttownadm@truro-ma.gov.
Sincerely,
Charleen Greenhalgh
Assistant Town Administrator
assttownadm@truro-ma.gov
(508) 349-7004, ext 27
The Department of Energy Resources’ (DOER) Green Communities Designation and Grant Program, which is a result of the Green Communities Act signed by Governor Patrick in 2008, uses funding from auctions of carbon emissions permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reward communities that win Green Communities designation.
Truro is the second town on the cape that has been given Green Community status. “Truro will be a great example for Green Communities as we try to make more progress on the Cape,” said Seth Pickering, Truro’s Green Community Coordinator. (For more information on Green Communities Act go to www.mass.gov and type in the search box, Green Communities, or click here)