Business

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan today announced a new round of the Commonwealth’s Woodstove Change-out Program, committing up to $1 million to assist residents in replacing their inefficient woodstoves for healthier, higher-efficiency models.

“The Patrick Administration is committed to supporting programs that allow everyone - from residents to businesses to municipalities - to get involved in our clean energy initiatives,” said Secretary Sullivan. “These newer stoves save families money every month and lead to cleaner air for all citizens of the Commonwealth.”

The program, first launched as a pilot last winter, provides vouchers of $750 or $2,000 to Massachusetts residents looking to trade in their existing non-U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified stoves for models that use less wood and release less pollution into the air.

Secretary Sullivan made the announcement at The Fire Place in Whately, which redeemed the most vouchers of any retailer in the Commonwealth under the pilot program. In total, last year’s pilot program assisted in the replacement of more than 450 old, inefficient stoves.

The Commonwealth Woodstove Change-out Program is administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), and funded jointly by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and MassCEC.

“Clean energy adoption comes in many shapes and sizes, and this program allows residents to participate in Massachusetts’ thriving clean energy economy by choosing to upgrade their woodstoves,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton. “We’re excited to build upon the success of last year’s program and continue helping residents take control of their energy use right in their own homes.”

“It is always exciting when we can make cleaner energy more accessible to more of the Commonwealth’s residents,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “These vouchers will help residents save money on upfront costs and monthly wood costs, while helping the Commonwealth reduce air pollution.”

“One of our top environmental priorities is to greatly improve air quality across the Commonwealth, and this program will continue to retire older woodstoves and replace them with lower-emission models,” said MassDEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell. “Once installed, the new woodstoves will significantly reduce fine particle pollution that threatens the health of our citizens and our communities.”

Low-income residents who provide proof of enrollment in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), MassHealth or Women, Infants and Children (WIC) are eligible for a $2,000 rebate, while other Massachusetts residents are eligible for a $750 rebate.

MassCEC is accepting applications until March 4, 2014, at which time properly-completed applications will be evaluated and qualified for vouchers.

To qualify, residents must have an existing woodstove to trade in and must receive approval for a rebate before purchasing the woodstove. Woodstoves purchased before a rebate is awarded are not eligible for the program. Residents can apply for a voucher by submitting a paper application or online application. Access the online application, and more information on the program, by visiting www.masscec.com/woodstove. Once an application is approved, MassCEC will issue a voucher which can be redeemed at any participating woodstove dealer in Massachusetts for a discount on the retail price of the stove. MassCEC will then reimburse retailers for the value of the voucher.

An independent analysis released today has found no statistically-significant evidence that proximity to a wind turbine affects home values.

The report, written by researchers from the University of Connecticut and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, examined 122,000 Massachusetts real estate transactions between 1998 and 2012. It compared transactions within a half-mile of constructed wind turbines to similar transactions between one half-mile and five miles away.

“Properly-sited renewable energy projects like wind turbines can deliver clean energy for our citizens and boost our local economy,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton.  “This report is designed to provide fact-based research to inform decision-makers on potential impacts wind turbines could have on nearby property.”

The study, commissioned by MassCEC, was co-authored by Carol Atkinson-Palombo, assistant professor of geography at the University of Connecticut, and Ben Hoen, staff research associate of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and was peer-reviewed by a number of leading economists and appraisers before release.

It compares the relationship between wind turbines and residential home values to those of factors previously shown to affect home prices, like high-voltage transmission lines, landfills, highways, protected open space and proximity to beaches.

Of the impacts studied, landfills and transmission lines have the greatest negative impact (or disamenity) on home prices while beachfront and proximity to beaches were found to have the greatest positive impact (or amenity) on home prices.  The study found that operating turbines have a +0.5 percent amenity which falls within the study’s margin of error.

Massachusetts has expanded the number of wind energy projects in the state from just 3 MW and three turbines installed in 2007 to more than 100 MW and dozens of turbines installed now throughout the Commonwealth. This study builds upon the Patrick Administration’s focus on providing municipalities and developers with the research they need to make informed decisions on these types of projects.

To download the report, please visit www.masscec.com/content/relationship-between-wind-turbines-and-residential-property-values-massachusetts.

A webinar with the study’s authors will be held at 12:30 p.m. on January 22. For more information, or to register, visit https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/162511015.  

Contact: Heather Johnson, Bonnie McGilpin, Juli Hanscom – 617-725-4025

Governor Deval Patrick today joined representatives from Japan's Toyo Engineering Corporation and Massachusetts-based Desalitech in Tokyo to announce a global partnership that will introduce environmentally responsible and highly economical water and wastewater treatment solutions to Japanese, East Asian and international markets, and keep Massachusetts at the forefront of the global water innovation economy. The announcement was part of Governor Patrick's Massachusetts - Asia Innovation Partnership Mission, aimed at strengthening the Commonwealth's relationships with Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore in order to create growth and opportunity throughout Massachusetts.

"We are in Japan because we know that if we want to sharpen our edge in the innovation economy, we must strengthen our existing relationships and build new ones," said Governor Patrick. "The new venture between Desalitech and Toyo Engineering is a testament that our strategy is working and that Massachusetts is competing on the global playing field."

Desalitech, previously based in Israel, relocated to Massachusetts earlier this year, following Governor Patrick's trade mission to Israel in 2011. The company focuses on reverse osmosis processes for effluent treatment and greatly reduces negative ecological impacts while improving the productive and responsible use of natural resources. Desalitech was named in the 2013 Global Cleantech 100 as a top company in clean technology.

Massachusetts is home to nearly 300 water industry companies, organizations and institutions from a variety of sectors, including research and education; innovation and entrepreneurship; and engineering.

"This agreement is great news for Desalitech and for Massachusetts," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan. "By bringing innovations that address our global water challenges as well as other energy saving technologies to the marketplace, we are growing the Massachusetts water industry."

"As the demand for clean water grows, Massachusetts is positioned to lead the way," said Alicia Barton, CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. "This agreement will advance our economic goals at home while helping to solve complex water challenges around the world."

"Global water challenges increasingly impact our health, economy and quality of life. Desalitech's CCD-RO solution provides the highest water recovery available, the flexibility to treat challenging water sources, the highest energy efficiency and low disposal costs," said Nadav Efraty, CEO of Desalitech. "With our respected and capable partner, Toyo Engineering, we are working to make water safe, abundant and affordable for all."

"As a global Engineering Procurement and Construction leader, Toyo offers comprehensive solutions to meet its customer business and sustainability objectives," said Katsumoto Ishibashi, Toyo Engineering CEO. "With water and energy resources under tremendous strain all over the globe, Toyo is committed to providing best-in-class high efficiency water and wastewater treatment."

"Our goal is to reduce our customer's water and energy footprint while increasing process reliability and flexibility," said Toyo Senior Executive Officer Kumar Akhilesh, Infrastructure Business Unit Director. "This combination of better performance and greater environmentally responsibility is important for Japanese and global markets."

The signing occurred following a discussion on clean energy innovation sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce of Japan.

The Patrick Administration has spent the last several months working with water industry leaders to organize a new Water Innovation Network that, when launched, will build upon the successes the Commonwealth and companies have had in creating more efficient and cost-effective water supply and wastewater treatment solutions to drive demand for Massachusetts-made products.

Earlier on Tuesday, Governor Patrick joined representatives from  Massachusetts' EnerNOC, Inc. and Japan's Marubeni Corporation to announce that the companies are forming a joint venture, named EnerNOC Japan, KK, to provide demand response in Japan. This international partnership will bring Massachusetts innovation across the globe to address worldwide energy challenges.

From December 7-17, 2013, Governor Deval Patrick is leading a coalition of the Commonwealth's government and industry leaders on the Massachusetts - Asia Innovation Partnership Mission to strengthen the state's partnerships with Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, and expand opportunities between the Commonwealth and region for economic development and job creation in the innovation, life sciences, financial services, clean tech and transportation sectors.

Contact: Heather Johnson, Bonnie McGilpin, Juli Hanscom – 617-725-4025 

Governor Deval Patrick today joined representatives from  Massachusetts’ EnerNOC, Inc. and Japan’s Marubeni Corporation to announce that the companies are forming a joint venture, named EnerNOC Japan, KK, to provide demand response in Japan.

"We are in Japan because we know that if we want to sharpen our edge in the innovation economy, we must strengthen our existing relationships and build new ones," said Governor Patrick. "EnerNOC Japan, KK is a testament that our strategy is working and that Massachusetts is competing on the global playing field."

Governor Patrick attended the signing ceremony at a clean energy event at the Tokyo American Club, as part of the Massachusetts – Asia Innovation Partnership Mission, which aims to strengthen the Commonwealth's relationships with Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore in order to create growth and opportunity throughout Massachusetts.

Boston-based EnerNOC is the world’s largest provider of commercial and industrial demand response. This joint venture will build upon successful past collaborations between the firms in Japan. The two companies today also announced their award of a government-sponsored demand response program with Japan’s largest utility, the Tokyo Electric Power Company.

“Massachusetts is home to a robust clean energy industry thanks to companies like EnerNOC,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan. “We are thrilled that EnerNOC is expanding Massachusetts’ presence in the Japanese market and we believe today’s agreement will help grow our economy at home as well.”

“Seeing home-grown Massachusetts firms like EnerNoc spread their technology and innovation to new markets like Japan reinforces Massachusetts' leadership on the global cleantech stage,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Alicia Barton.

“Both EnerNOC and Marubeni believe that the Japanese market is ripe for demand response. There is growing national attention in Japan on intelligent buildings and smart grids, and an increased focus by utilities and policymakers on the importance of demand-side management,” said David Brewster, President of EnerNOC, from Tokyo while on the mission to Japan with Governor Patrick. “We are thrilled to announce this partnership with one of the world’s leading energy firms.”

From December 7-17, 2013, Governor Deval Patrick is leading a coalition of the Commonwealth’s government and industry leaders on the Massachusetts – Asia Innovation Partnership Mission to strengthen the state’s partnerships with Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, and expand opportunities between the Commonwealth and region for economic development and job creation in the innovation, life sciences, financial services, clean tech and transportation sectors.

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan today announced the 15 communities that will participate in the second round of the 2013 Solarize Massachusetts program (Solarize Mass®), a grassroots solar energy marketing, education and group-buying program.

The program – run by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) – is designed to increase the adoption of solar energy across the state, while reducing the overall cost of solar power and offering residents and businesses discounted pricing for solar systems. The program lowers energy costs by offering residents a five-tiered pricing structure, where the savings increase as more people sign contracts.

“The popularity of Solarize Mass highlights the growing interest in renewable energy across the state,” said Secretary Sullivan. “Programs like Solarize Mass allow people across Massachusetts to join the clean energy revolution right at their own homes and businesses, while creating local jobs here in the Commonwealth.”

Participating in the second round of the 2013 Solarize Mass program are Adams, Amherst, Andover, Bedford, Chesterfield, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lexington, Needham, Salem, Swampscott, Watertown, Wellfleet, Whately and Williamsburg. Great Barrington will be partnering with Egremont; Salem will be partnering with Swampscott; Lexington will be partnering with Bedford; and Williamsburg, Whately and Chesterfield will be working as a group during the program.

“Solarize Mass has been a rallying point for all the 31 communities that have participated so far, and I’m excited to see what these 15 new communities can do,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton.

“Solarize Mass results have proven that the program is an effective model for bringing clean, cost-saving energy to residents and businesses in participating communities,” said Commissioner Sylvia. “I congratulate these 15 communities and look forward to continuing our support for all communities in the Commonwealth as they pursue renewable energy.”

MassCEC and DOER will work with community volunteers and municipal representatives from each community to select a designated solar installer through a competitive bidding process.

Ten of the communities participating in this round (Amherst, Andover, Bedford, Chesterfield, Great Barrington, Lexington, Salem, Swampscott, Watertown and Whatley) are Green Communities, a designation made by DOER to cities and towns that meet five clean energy requirements, including a commitment to reduce energy use by 20 percent within five years as well as a streamlined process of responsible siting of renewable energy such as solar photovoltaics.

Residents and businesses in the 10 communities that participated in the first round of the 2013 Solarize Mass program combined to sign 551 contracts to install solar electricity systems, constituting 3.8 megawatts of clean, renewable energy capacity – enough to power 570 homes annually. Since the program’s inception in 2011, Solarize Mass has been responsible for more than 1,250 solar installations across the state – a total of 9.4MW of electricity capacity.

Over the past five years, the Patrick Administration has created a suite of programs – like Solarize Mass, Commonwealth Solar rebates, and Massachusetts’ nation-leading solar carve-out, a market-based incentive program based on solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) – to drive solar development and cultivate a robust solar marketplace.

As a result of these efforts, Massachusetts met Governor Patrick’s ambitious goal of installing 250 megawatts of solar electricity capacity by 2017 four years early. Governor Patrick set a new goal of 1,600 megawatts of installed solar capacity by 2020, which is enough electricity to power 240,000 average Massachusetts homes.

The solar industry in Massachusetts is a large part of the state’s clean energy economy. According to the 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, nearly 60 percent of clean energy workers support solar technologies – more than 8,400 workers spend at least 50 percent of their time on the solar portion of their business.

As part of the Patrick Administration’s support of the clean energy industry, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia today announced that 551 residents and businesses signed contracts to install solar electricity systems as part of the first round of the 2013 Solarize Massachusetts program (Solarize Mass®), which concluded October 31.

The systems contracted through this round of Solarize Mass constitute 3.8 megawatts of clean, renewable energy capacity that will generate enough electricity to power 570 average Massachusetts homes annually. The program lowers costs by offering consumers a five-tiered pricing structure, where the savings increase as more people sign contacts.

“For the third year in a row, we’ve seen tremendous response to the Solarize Mass model, with this year being the best yet,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “This program truly shows what can happen when you bring together government, industry and dedicated volunteers, united to tackle a challenging goal.”

Since it started as a pilot program in 2011, Solarize Mass has been responsible for more than 1,250 solar systems across the state with 9.4MW of electricity capacity. The communities participating in this round – Bourne, Brookline, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Lee, Medford, Medway, Newton, Northampton and Williamstown – averaged 383kw each, the highest average for any round of the program. Nine of the 10 communities reached Tier 5, which represents the greatest savings in the program.

“We’re positively beaming at the results of this year’s Solarize Mass program,” said Barton. “It once again shows that when residents and business owners learn about the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy, they can’t wait to sign up.”

“These results show that Solarize Mass is an effective model for bringing clean, cost-saving energy to residents and businesses in these communities,” said Commissioner Sylvia. “We look forward to continuing our support for all communities in the Commonwealth as they pursue renewable energy.”

Preliminary results for contracts signed and capacity for participating communities was:

Bourne:                                               21 systems                  137 kilowatts

Brookline:                                            63 systems                  346 kilowatts

Chelmsford-Carlisle:                           96 systems                  612 kilowatts

Lee:                                                     36 systems                  294 kilowatts

Medford:                                             48 systems                  388 kilowatts

Medway:                                             39 systems                  489 kilowatts

Newton:                                               64 systems                  309 kilowatts

Northampton:                                      108 systems                706 kilowatts

Williamstown:                                      76 systems                  559 kilowatts

Among the projects contracted as part of Solarize Mass this year is a 99 kilowatt solar electricity system on the roof of seven-story Dowling Hall, which houses a parking garage and a variety of student and administrative services at Tufts University in Medford.

"As a university, we have a special role  in helping address important global issues such as climate change and resource depletion and a responsibility to use our campus as a learning laboratory,” Tufts President Anthony P. Monaco. We are proud to work with the City of Medford, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Department of Energy Resources in support of sustainability."

"Medford started the Solarize program with 50 solar systems already installed; to practically double that number far exceeded our expectations,” said Medford Mayor Michael J. McGlynn “We are thrilled that Tufts is installing roof-top solar through this program. Medford and Tufts have a long, mutually beneficial relationship and we are excited to take this next step to a clean energy future together."

“SunBug Solar is ecstatic to be able to work with Tufts University as part of the Solarize Mass program in Medford,” said Lisa Raffin, the solar installation company’s vice president for corporate business. “This is the true definition of community solar when we see a prominent university and 47 Medford residents linked together to share the benefits of solar electricity.”

Other installers participating in this round of the program were Cotuit Solar, E2 Solar, Real Goods Solar, Second Generation Energy and SolarFlair

MassCEC and DOER are currently reviewing community applications for the second round of the 2013 Solarize Mass program.

Over the past five years, the Patrick Administration has created a suite of programs – like Solarize Mass, Commonwealth Solar rebates, and Massachusetts’ nation-leading solar carve-out, a market-based incentive program – to drive solar development and cultivate a robust solar marketplace. As a result of these efforts, Massachusetts met Governor Patrick’s ambitious goal of installing 250 megawatts of solar electricity capacity by 2017 four years early. Governor Patrick set a new goal of 1,600 megawatts of solar capacity by 2020, which is enough electricity to power 240,000 average Massachusetts homes.

In addition to the success of Solarize Mass, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) this week announced $1.5 million in SunShot Rooftop Solar Challenge II funding for a regional effort to lower solar costs and increase regional collaboration for solar electricity across New England. As the program seeks to reduce barriers to solar development, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and New Hampshire will collectively work together to develop solutions to permitting, interconnection, financing, planning and zoning challenges. The national nonprofit organization Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) will coordinate the initiatives. Led by DOER in partnership with MassCEC, the Massachusetts-based program will feature the participation of the cities of Boston and Cambridge and the town of Winchester.

More than 8,400 Massachusetts workers spend at least half of their time on solar activities in the Commonwealth, according to the 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report.

The report found that the clean energy industry as a whole grew by 11.8 percent between 2012 and 2013, and there are now more than 5,550 clean energy firms and 80,000 clean energy workers in the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia today announced extending the deadline of Round 1 of the Solarize Massachusetts Program (Solarize Mass®) to Oct. 31, citing high demand for the solar group buying program.

The program, originally scheduled to end Sept. 30, is designed to increase the adoption of solar energy and further reduce the overall cost of solar power by offering residents and businesses discounted pricing for solar.

The more people who sign up, the greater the savings are for everyone.

“For the third year in a row, we’re seeing residents and business owners flock to the Solarize Mass program, responding to the economic and environmental benefits solar electricity provide,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan.

To date, residents and businesses in the 10 participating communities – Bourne, Brookline, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Lee, Medford, Medway, Newton, Northampton and Williamstown – have signed 269 contracts for solar electricity systems with a capacity of 1.9 MW of clean, renewable energy.

“Extending the deadline will ensure everyone in these communities has the opportunity to take advantage of this program, which serves as a national model,” said Barton. “We’re pleased with the response so far and expect the number of signed contracts to increase dramatically during October.”

“This solar incentive program has driven the rapid growth of solar generation in Massachusetts. Programs like Solarize Mass bring that growth to the local level and make it more affordable for residents and businesses to adopt clean energy,” said Commissioner Sylvia. “This extension will allow more residents in these communities to get on board and join the tremendously successful clean energy revolution in Massachusetts.”

The installers participating in the Solarize Mass program –Cotuit Solar, E2 Solar, Real Goods Solar, Second Generation Energy, SolarFlair and SunBug Solar– have agreed to extend the program deadline by one month in all 10 communities.

Residents and businesses interested in participating should visit their community’s page at www.solarizemass.com for details on their local program.

In the first two years of the Solarize Mass program, 21 cities and towns participated in the program, contracting more than 900 solar electricity systems with more than 5.5 megawatts of solar energy capacity.

MassCEC and DOER recently announced they will be accepting applications from communities interested in participating in the next round of the Solarize Mass program. Communities looking for an application or more information can visit the program website.

Through programs like Solarize Mass, Massachusetts reached Governor Patrick’s ambitious goal of installing 250 megawatts of solar electricity capacity four years earlier than the 2017 deadline.

At an April event commemorating the achievement, Gov. Patrick announced a new goal of installing 1,600 megawatts of solar capacity by 2020. Once the goal is reached, solar electricity systems across the Commonwealth will generate enough electricity to power 240,000 average Massachusetts homes.

Clean energy jobs in Massachusetts have grown by 11.8 percent from 2012 to 2013, according to the 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) today announced the second round of the 2013 Solarize Massachusetts (Solarize Mass®) program is now accepting applications from cities and towns interested in participating.

“This bulk purchasing program has saved residents and businesses money, while aiding in the Patrick Administration’s goal of creating local jobs and expanding our use of home-grown energy sources,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “We’re excited to find the next round of Solarize Mass communities.”

The program – designed to increase the adoption of solar energy and further reduce the overall cost of solar power – offers residents and businesses discounted pricing for solar. The more people who sign up, the greater the savings are for everyone.

“The momentum around this program has been building since it was launched in 2011,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton. “Community-by-community, we’re working with local leaders and volunteers to spread the word on the economic and environmental benefits of solar power.”

The program is open to all Massachusetts communities, including those designated by DOER as Green Communities, a designation made by DOER to cities and towns that meet five clean energy requirements, including a commitment to reduce their energy use by 20 percent.

“Solarize Mass continues to fulfill the desire of so many individuals, businesses and communities to be part of Massachusetts’ clean energy revolution,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “This program provides the pathway to do that in a smart, engaging way that benefits them and future generations at the same time.”

The program is open to all Massachusetts communities, including those designated by DOER as Green Communities, a designation made by DOER to cities and towns that meet five clean energy requirements. By statute, those requirements include adoption by the municipality of "as-of-right" siting and expedited permitting for renewable energy projects."

The first round of the 2013 Solarize Mass program is underway now in 10 communities: Bourne, Brookline, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Lee, Medford, Medway, Newton, Northampton and Williamstown.

Individual cities, towns and groups of contiguous municipalities can apply for the second round by downloading a request for proposals and applying by Oct. 22.

MassCEC and DOER expect to select at least eight communities or groups of communities to participate in this round of the program.

In the first two years of the Solarize Mass program, 21 cities and towns participated in the program, contracting more than 900 solar electricity systems with more than 5.5 megawatts of solar energy capacity.

Through programs like Solarize Mass, Massachusetts reached Governor Patrick’s ambitious goal of installing 250 megawatts of solar electricity capacity four years earlier than the 2017 deadline.

At an April event commemorating the achievement, Gov. Patrick announced a new goal of installing 1,600 megawatts of solar capacity by 2020. Once the goal is reached, solar electricity systems across the Commonwealth will generate enough electricity to power 240,000 average Massachusetts homes.