Committee Members

Energy Committee

The purpose of the Energy Committee is to study and recommend energy conservation policies and projects to the Select Board. In addition, the committee will provide recommendations to the town on related energy issues and provide assistance/education to residents on how families and individuals can implement renewable energy and conservation efficiency measures in their homes and daily lives.

Proposal of a Small Wind Generator at Shutesbury Town Hall
  download Microsoft Word Document

View of the Proposed Shutesbury Wind Turbine from behind the town hall. Guy wires will actually be located a little futher back (behind trees on right.)

May 8, 2006

Status of the Proposal for a wind installation in Shutesbury: MS Word Document (1.8 Mbytes)

April 27, 2006

Shutesbury Committee on Energy

The town of Shutesbury is taking a proactive stance on energy. In an age of rising fuel prices, a declining supply of conventional fuels and the threat of global warming associated with heavy fossil fuel consumption, the town is exploring means by which it can adopt renewable energy sources and use energy more efficiently. Interested citizens can get additional information and updates by talking to any Shutesbury Energy Committee member.

Energy conservation, energy efficiency and the adoption of renewable sources are the pathway to a sustainable future. Already, citizens of Shutesbury have voted with their feet to support renewable energy. Shutesbury placed second in the Commonwealth for the percentage of households (8%) that signed up for the "Green Up" Clean Energy Choice program. This program supports renewable sources in electric power generation and provides funds to help Shutesbury pursue renewable energy projects and energy education. These funds can be complemented by additional grants from the Renewable Energy Trust from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for use in local solar and wind energy projects. Congratulations to the Shutesbury community for taking a proactive stance on energy!

To date, the Energy Committee has been pursuing four topics: improving the energy efficiency of town buildings, developing a proposal to install a solar photovoltaic array at the elementary school, developing a proposal for a small wind generator and creating pathways for energy education. Other energy issues are on the table for future discussion, including transportation, which accounts for the largest use of petroleum (66%) in the U.S. currently. Please feel free to contact the committee with your ideas for other issues that should be addressed.

Currently electric and thermal energy audits are being conducted on all town buildings. These audits will identify ways to improve the energy efficiency and convenient means for energy conservation. For example, in the case of lighting, using compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of the standard incandescent bulbs provides the same amount of light but at 1/3 of the energy and 1/3 of the total cost (when you take the price of the bulb, bulb lifetime and electric energy cost into account). Proper thermal insulation, energy efficient windows, efficient appliances, and sealing drafty cracks are examples of other measures that can provide significant energy savings.

The committee has recommended to the Select Board, the installation of a 2 kW solar photovoltaic array on the roof of the Shutesbury Elementary School. The town administrator, the school staff and the energy committee are working together to implement a system that will provide clean electric power for the school and educational opportunities for Shutesbury children and citizens.

The Energy Committee is investigating the feasibility of installing a small wind power generator near the woods behind the town hall, or at alternate locations. This renewable energy system would be able to provide a significant portion of the town hall's annual electrical power needs and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Most of the cost of the town-owned 10 kW wind generator and the supporting tower would be paid through renewable energy initiatives offered by the state. Although a significant form of renewable energy, wind power is a controversial topic. The level of noise, the impact on birds and the aesthetics of a wind tower are all relevant issues for discussion. To encourage discussion and questions from town citizens about the wind generator proposal, the energy committee will host a public meeting at 7:00 pm on May 16, 2006 at the town hall. Tours or directions to a similar wind facility in Turners Falls can be arranged by contacting members of the energy committee.

Energy is an issue that will be with us continuously into the future. Energy education is perhaps the most important aspect of the town's energy activities - one that can result in the largest impact over the long term. Working closely with school staff, the Energy Committee has plans to integrate educational components into the solar and wind projects. The positive impact that projects like these provide can translate into energy awareness that spreads into many other areas. The energy committee wants your thoughts and questions. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

Mark Tuominen (chair), Clark Sylvester (vice chair), Craig Marden (secretary), Susan Reyes, Bruce Davidson, Larry Hunter, and Rich Ferro.