(October 24, 2011 - Special Town Meeting) Articles 18, 19 and 22 are on the agenda which relate to the town's gaining control of a parcel of land for a potential wind turbine site at Carolina Hill through a home rule petition with the legislature. Also the warrant includes authorizing a small match for an award up to $85,000 from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. The match is contingent on receiving an award from MCEC for our Feasibility application..
(June 2011) The Energy Committee submitted a Feasibility application to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MCEC). If approved, the town may receive up to $85,000 for the feasibility study with a small match to be assumed by the town. The Feasibility study takes 12 months to complete. Applied Science consultants are expected to erect a meterological tower and collect twelve months of wind speed data and assess the environmental impact of a potential wind turbine as well as the financial options open to the town. A Feasibility study must be completed before project financing may be pursued.
(March 10, 2011) Marshfield Energy Committee hosted a MA State Climate Protection Network Meeting at Seth Ventress Building - Some 50 people from a wide variety from federal, state and local officials and towns attended. ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability for arranged the meeting. Speakers from NASA, EPA, MA Department of Energy Resources, Boston and Cambridge made presentations about MA Climate Change. Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig, a Senior Research Scientist at NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies was a featured speaker. An interesting anecdote is that Dr. Rosenzweig and six generations of her family have spent summers in Marshfield. Click to open details and agenda.
(February 28, 2011) Applied Science Associates (ASA) approved as Wind Turbine Feasibility Consultant - The Energy Committee's recommendation to engage Applied Science Associates as a consultant was unanimously approved by the Marshfield Board of Selectmen. Applied Science Associates has successfully completed feasibility studies in Cohasset, MA, Gloucester, MA, Plymouth, MA and Portsmouth, RI and Jamestown, RI.
(December 1, 2010) Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Wind Turbine Feasibility Consultant submitted - With the approval of the Board of Selectmen, the Rocco Longo, Town Administrator and Chief Procurement Officer, has submitted a RFQ to the MA Central Register for a Wind Turbine Feasibility Consultant. Mr. Rocco Longo is in charge of the selection process and will make the final selection with input from members of the Energy Committee.The RFQ has been posted on the town website The timeline and anticipated process follows:
RFQ available to potential applicants on Dec. 1, 2010, Final inquiry date for questions from responders is Dec. 8, 2010, Responses from applicants due by Dec. 31, 2010, Anticipated evaluation of responses by members of the Energy Committee and Town Administrator and staff completed by Jan.14, 2011, Anticipated Interviews of three finalists by Energy Committee and Town Administrator and staff from Jan. 18-28, 2011, Final selection of applicant by Rocco Longo with input from Energy Committee by Feb. 28, .
(October 18, 2010) Marshfield Energy Audit Videos
Fire Station
South River - http://www.blip.tv/file/4036590
Click to open a pdf file of a Detailed Audit Report from Trane.
(June 22, 2010) Click to open Marshfield Mariner article about the success of the Marshfield Schools' staff in conserving energy and reducing energy costs. "Energy Program in Marshfield Paying Off".
(June 4, 2010) Energy Committee receives Milestone 1 Completion Award from ICLEI for the Town's Greenhouse Gas Inventory
The Marshfield Energy Committee recently received an award from ICLEI for completing a Greenhouse Gas Inventory which is Milestone 1 of the ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection Program. ICLEI is an international association of local governments dedicated to climate protection and sustainable development. The Energy Committee has been participating in The Cities for Climate Protection Program which is comprised of five milestones. To learn about ICLEI's 5 Milestones for Climate Mitigation click here. Please visit our site to view the Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
(3/1/2010)Wind Education Workshop - This event included a presentation by Megan Amsler of Cape Cod Self Relianbce about wind energy and a presentation by Paul Halkiotis, Marshfield Town Planner about the proposed Wind Bylaw.
(2/22/10) MassEnergyInsight Training - Dr. George Cicchetti of the Energy Committee and Rocco Longo, town administrator, received training to use MassEnergyInsight, a free, Web-based tool which helps towns understand their energy use and reduce their carbon footprint by delivering customized, easy-to-use reports on electricity, natural gas, and oil use. Click to learn more about MassEnergyInsight which is part of the MA Green Communities Program. Steve Argyle of the Energy Committee also participated in a MassEnergyInsight Webinar.
(1/19/10) Green Communities Seminar - Steve Argyle, Dr. George Cicchetti, Gia Lane and Tony Pena of the Energy Committee participated in a seminar conducted by Mark Sylvia, Director of the Green Communities Program in Quincy, MA.
(11/30/09) Carolina Hill Site First Choice for Municipal Wind Turbine - The Marshfield Energy Committee recommended Carolina Hill as the first choice for siting a municipal wind turbine to the Board of Selectmen. The town attorney did a title search and examination of Carolina Hill, Marshfield HS and Rexhame Beach as potential sites for a wind turbine and concluded that only a cluster of town-owned parcels on Carolina Hill was suitable for siting a wind turbine. Click to open the UMass Wind Energy Center Site Survey Report. Click to open a Map of sites.
(11/30/09) Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Inventory Accepted - The Marshfield Energy Committee presented the inventory which was reviewed and accepted by the Board of Selectmen. The inventory was completed by Bonnie Domigan, a NSTAR Intern with the support of Sue Haselhorst, Senior Engineer at NSTAR and helps meet one of the criteria for being designated as a Green Community. It will help Marshfield set targets for reduction of energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and develop a climate action plan. If Marshfield becomes a Green Community, it will be eligible to apply to a $12,250,000 Competitive Grant Program for energy projects. Click to open the Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
(10/20/2009) Green Communities Technical Assistance Webinar - Dr. George Cicchetti along with Paul Halkiotis, Town Planner and Rocco Longo, Town Administrator participated in the Webinar offered by Blue Wave Consulting. Click to open this October 20, 2009 Webinar Powerpoint. Follow-up - Click to open a Green Communities' Folder with Green Communities Criteria, Model-As-of-Right Zoning Bylaw - Solar, Photovoltaic, Wind, MA Stretch and Building Energy Codes Webinar and October 20 Webinar - Question and Answer Summary.
(10/19/2009) Energy Audit Approved at Special Town Meeting - A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) application for an Energy Savings Contract (ESCO) was approved by the MA Department of Energy Resources in September 2009. Rocco Longo, Town Administrator, and an advisory team of Michael Clancy, Thomas Miller, Gia Lane, Jamie Beard and Dr. George Cicchetti did due diligence with three finalist ESCO applications. A warrant to transfer $62,240 for an energy audit was approved at a Town Meeting. Click to open the Town Meeting PowerPoint presentation for information and next steps.
(10/1/2009) Energy Savings Contract Presentation - Eileen McHugh of the MA Department of Energy Resources explained at a Board of Selectmen meeting the features of entering into an energy savings contract which is regulated and subject to oversight by state statue. An ESCO pays for guaranteed improvements to town buildings over a 10-12 year period. The energy savings usually are 20-25% of a town's energy costs per year. Since 2002, 62 communities have used the ESCO process. Click to open MA DOER Frequently Asked Questions about an ESCO.
(10/1/09) FREE Home Energy Saving Seminar - The Marshfield Energy Committee sponsored the presentation which emphasized that most Massachusetts homes could save 20% or more on their fuel use. Participants learned how to reduce home energy costs with do-it-yourself solutions and learned about energy rebates and savings financing options. Members of the community may schedule a MassSAVE no-cost home energy audit. Call 1-866-527-7283.
(8/20/09) Marshfield Energy Usage and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report - The Marshfield Energy Committee assisted Bonnie Domigan, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NSTAR engineering intern collect 2008 energy consumption data. A final report will be submitted to the Board of Selectmen for approval this fall and published on this website.
(8/18/09) Green Communities PowerPoint Presentation - Mark Sylvia, Director of the Green Communities Program, conducted a presentation with members of the Energy Committee and also Rocco Longo, Town Administrator and James Cantwell, State Representative. Click to open the presentation and learn about the Green Community program.
(6/24/2009) NSTAR's Marshfield Energy Challenge Report - The Marshfield Energy Committee supported and publicized NSTAR's Marshfield Energy Challenge - Year One. Sue Haselhorst, Senior Engineer with NSTAR provided a preliminary report (6/24/09) with the results of Year One - Marshfield Energy Challenge. These are the accomplishments to date:
- Over 1200 homes (of about 9000 homes) and 100 businesses of about (800 businesses) have had energy audits and implemented energy efficiency measures (or will shortly),
- Over 30
Marshfield residences have had photo-voltaic solar panels (PV) installed – a record in
Massachusetts,
- Significant PV systems will be installed at two
Marshfield commercial facilities,
- High efficiency lighting has been installed in seven schools and town buildings
- Three PV systems have been installed or will be installed on town facilities
- Over 500 students have participated in our ‘Energy Pursuit’ or ‘Energy Wizard’ school programs.
As part of NSTAR's Marshfield Energy Challenge, a Solar Panel was installed on the Recreation Department Building at Coast Guard Hill on 6/10/09. Click to go to the Marshfield Mariner for the news story.
(4/7/2009) Green Communities Application Submitted - A Green Communities application was approved by the Board of Selectmen and submitted to the Department of Energy Resources. If the town meets the Green Communities criteria, it is eligible to apply to a ten million dollar fund for funding for energy projects.
(3/23/09) Marshfield Wind Turbine Site Survey Application Submitted - Members of the Marshfield Energy Committee have researched and collected information for a wind turbine site survey
application which was forwarded to the Board of Selectmen. The Marshfield Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the Wind Turbine Site Survey application on 3/23/09 which was it was forwarded to the MRET's Wind Collaborative for review. Click to open the Marshfield, MA Wind Turbine Site Survey Application. Click to open a Map of potential sites.
(1/2009) www.marshfieldenergy.org launched - This Web site was developed to keep the community informed about the activities, events and accomplishments of the Marshfield Energy Committee. The energy committee funds and Dr. George Cicchetti maintains and updates the site. The official minutes are kept on the Virtual Town Hall web site at: townofmarshfield.org. We do not endorse any specific products or services and any links included in this site are responsible for their own content.
(10/2008) Successful Educational Series on Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy - Megan Amsler successfully presented educational seminars on energy efficiency and solar energy at the North River Audubon Sanctuary,
2000 Main Street (Rt.3A) in
Marshfield. The seminars were sponsored by NSTAR, the Massachusetts' Audubon Society and the Marshfield Energy Committee.