WHAT IS CLEAN ENERGY ALL ABOUT?

Clean energy is a source of electricity used more effectively in our environment than fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas.  In general they have lower, or no polluting emissions and much less of an environmental impact.  Some examples of clean energy resources are:  hydroelectric power, wind power, landfill gas, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal.  These are known as renewable resources because they are continuously available or can be regenerated quickly.  The major benefits of clean energy are the reduction of our dependence on fossil fuels and the reduction of emissions that may cause air pollution.

 You can see renewable resources in action at a wind farm, on homes or businesses that are using solar panels, or on a turbine attached to a dam producing electricity by using the power of the river flow. The Sterling Municipal Light Department (SMLD) currently purchases fifteen percent of its power supply resources from non-polluting hydroelectric facilities.  In fact, we purchase from a run-of-the-river, hydroelectric plant on the Westfield River called the West Springfield Hydro.  This was the first hydroelectric plant in Massachusetts to earn what the industry calls a Low Impact Certification. This is a voluntary program for hydroelectric plant owners to minimize any adverse impacts on the environment.  It takes into account issues such as:  fish passage and protection; threatened and endangered species; water quality; etc.  We are proud to be a part of this hydroelectric project. 

In addition to the West Springfield Hydro, we also purchase hydroelectric power from a unit, which is in the midst of expansion that we may be able to take advantage of, called the Baltic Mills Hydro on the Mascoma River in Enfield, NH; another called Mechanicsville Hydro on the French River in Mechanicsville, Connecticut and we still receive power from the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers through the Power Authority of the State of New York (PASNY). Unfortunately since the deregulation of the utility industry, our share of PASNY has continued to diminish and this year the credit was reduced slightly.

Along with the concept of clean energy comes the promotion of energy conservation.  We are all familiar with the basic methods of energy conservation such as lowering your thermostat whenever possible; turning off appliances when not in use; maintaining proper insulation in your home; and keeping air ducts free of leaks.  The SMLD would like to introduce a few more money saving, energy conservation opportunities:  1) our Home Energy Loss Prevention Services (HELPS) program, 2) free energy saver booklets in the lobby of our main office, and 3) rebates from ENERGY STAR appliances that we will begin offering this fall.  These programs will be explained in more detail later in this newsletter.

It is our goal to educate you on clean energy, renewable resources and energy conservation programs.  From now until December you will see us promoting these programs in our newsletters, in our lobby at the SMLD, on our Web site, at the Sterling Fair and more.  Please take advantage of them for yourself and for the environment.