WHEREAS, CVEC has successfully established the legal framework to purchase and own renewable energy projects, enter into contracts, borrow money, form public/private partnerships, and purchase, sell and distribute energy for the financial benefit of local communities;

WHEREAS, CVEC has negotiated several cooperative solar projects which will result in significant savings to participating communities;

WHEREAS, The Cape Light Compact, CLC, created and initially funded CVEC to develop renewable energy projects as requested by its member communities, and has identified an end date for its funding commitment;

WHEREAS, The initial CVEC funding source was from CLC rate payers as renewable energy projects are judged to benefit all Cape Cod electrical users;

WHEREAS, CLC and CVEC shared management, administrative and support functions to minimize project costs and maximize energy savings/expenses to member communities;

WHEREAS, CLC and CVEC, as judged by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and MA Department of Revenue (DOR), took all reasonable actions to document discussion and decisions in a transparent and accountable manner while respecting the privacy of vendors;

WHEREAS, as CVEC has gained experience with several renewable energy projects and has adopted and refined best practices under the amended Massachusetts Open meeting law and implemented other changes designed to facilitate CVEC’s development as an independent organization;

Therefore, The Cape Cod Selectmen and Councilors’ Association wishes to publicly state its support for CVEC as CVEC works to bring renewable energy projects to Cape Cod.

EPA RECOGNIZES NORTHEAST ENERGY EFFICIENCY INITIATIVE WITH  2013 ENERGY STAR^® SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE AWARD 

Cape Light Compact in partnership with Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships earns 14^TH consecutive award for protecting the environment through energy efficiency 

LEXINGTON, MA, March 5, 2013 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Cape Light Compact as part of the Northeast Retail Products Initiative a 2013 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency. The Initiative, facilitated by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) and made up of utilities and energy efficiency program administrators in New England, New York, and Washington D.C., will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 26, 2013. 

An ENERGY STAR Partner since 2000, the Northeast Retail Products Initiative will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency. During the last thirteen years, the Initiative has won 14 awards including six Excellence Awards, one award for Excellence in Product Labeling, and seven Sustained Excellence Awards- the most prestigious. 

For over a decade the Initiative has been collaborating to build greater market awareness and availability of energy efficient lighting, consumer electronics, and appliance products throughout the region.    

• Cape Light Compact
• National Grid (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York)
• NSTAR Electric
• Western Massachusetts Electric Company
• NHSaves (National Grid, Unitil, Public Service of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Electric Co-op)
• Efficiency Vermont
• Connecticut Light & Power
• The United Illuminating Company
• Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)
• New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA)
• The DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DC SEU) 

ABOUT CAPE LIGHT COMPACT

Cape Light Compact is an intergovernmental organization consisting of the 21 towns and two counties on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.  The Compact’s mission is to serve our 200,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy, competitive electricity supply and green power options.  For more information, visit www.capelightcompact.org or call 1-800-797-6699. 

ABOUT NEEP

NEEP is a regional non-profit whose mission is to serve the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to accelerate energy efficiency in the building sector through public policy, program strategies and education. NEEP’s Market Strategies team supports the collaboration of energy efficiency program administrators and other key stakeholders in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to achieve long-term cost-effective energy savings by broadening the market availability and consumer demand for high quality, energy efficient products and services.  Visit www.neep.org for more details. 

Contact: Lindsay Henderson, Cape Light Compact, Communications, 508-744-1273 

###

New three-year energy efficiency plan aims to create nearly $9 billion dollars in benefits from energy savings 

Barnstable, Mass., February 4, 2013 – Cape Light Compact as part of the Massachusetts’ gas and electric program administrators received approval from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) on January 31, 2013 for their joint 2013-2015 three-year energy efficiency plan to deliver energy efficiency services that will result in nearly $9 billion dollars in economic benefits to residents and businesses across the Commonwealth.  

Cape Light Compact’s highlights

Cape Light Compact estimates savings of 118,078 MWh annually and 1,173,045 MWh of lifetime electric savings. 

Cape Light Compact will continue to make a strong commitment to energy education outreach by increasing consumer awareness through presentations, events, and marketing. The showpiece of the Compact’s award-winning energy education program and initiatives is its collaboration with the National Energy Education Development Project (“NEED”) in the development of an energy education program for elementary through secondary level teachers and students on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.  

The Compact will continue to offer rebates for inefficient room air conditioners and dehumidifiers by partnering with Barnstable County’s Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service to conduct community “turn-in” events during the popular Household Hazardous Waste Collections. 

The Compact will continue to offer enhanced benefits for year-round renters and customers who fall between 60-80% of median income.  

In 2013, the Compact is implementing a territory-wide initiative to retrofit approximately 14,000 municipally-owned streetlights with LED lamps, with no co-pay for participating towns or fire districts. 

Small business tenants who qualify will receive increased incentives up to 95% for direct install measures, and for other small business customers, the Compact is offering an additional zero interest financing option directly through its primary direct install program vendor. 

“We’re pleased that the Compact’s ambitious three-year Energy Efficiency Plan has been approved.  We look forward to helping local towns, residents, and businesses reduce energy consumption and utility bills still further in 2013-2015. It was also good news to see the DPU address the lag in funding for energy efficiency programs through this regulatory change, since it negates the need to correct this through the legislature,” stated Joyce Flynn, Cape Light Compact’s Chair. 

Statewide Plan Highlights  

This is the second three-year plan that has been developed under the Green Communities Act (GCA) which calls for the state’s energy efficiency Program Administrators to develop a comprehensive statewide plan every three years that addresses energy needs by first investing in energy efficiency and demand reduction before purchasing new energy supply. The Program Administrators are made up ofMassachusettsutilities NSTAR, National Grid, Western Massachusetts Electric, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, New England Gas, Unitil, Berkshire Gas, Blackstone Gas and the municipal aggregator Cape Light Compact. 

In developing their new plan for 2013 – 2015, Program Administrators worked closely with the Patrick Administration, the office of Attorney General Martha Coakley and the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC). Program Administrators also worked with a diverse group of stakeholders that included business and civic leaders, policy makers, advocates and Massachusetts residents in a highly interactive two-day summit designed to generate ideas to shape new energy efficiency programs.  In addition to existing successful efforts, such as free Mass Save® home energy assessments, equipment rebates, low-income services and HEAT Loan financing programs, additional ideas generated from the sessions incorporated into the new plan include approaches targeted specifically toward economically challenged neighborhoods, the healthcare sector and office space. 

One hallmark of the Program Administrators’ comprehensive plan is their commitment to continue nationally-recognized services to low-income customers. This low income delivery effort is coordinated through the state’s low-income weatherization and fuel assistance program network. 

In keeping with the GCA, the Program Administrators’ plan also calls for promoting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and stimulating job creation in the clean energy sector. With projected Program Administrator costs of approximately $2 billion and estimated savings benefits of nearly $9 billion, economic and environmental benefits to consumers will be substantial. 

The Program Administrators estimate that 2,300 jobs will be created in clean energy as a result of the implementation of the energy efficiency programs for residential and business customers. 

For the second consecutive year, the Commonwealth was named the most energy efficient state in the country, and Massachusetts’ energy efficiency providers are working to help the Commonwealth keep that distinction by implementing the approved three-year plan to deliver energy efficiency services that will result in nearly $9 billion dollars in economic benefits to residents and businesses across the Commonwealth.  The three-year plan was unanimously approved on November 13, 2012 by the EEAC an eleven member Council established under the GCA. The plan was then filed with the DPU, and after a series of public and evidentiary hearings, the DPU approved the plan on January 31, 2013. 

Cape Light Compact’s plan and the statewide energy efficiency plan are available at www.capelightcompact.org/eep. 

About Cape Light Compact 

Cape Light Compact is an intergovernmental organization consisting of the 21 towns and 2 counties on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. The Compact’s mission is to serve our 200,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy, competitive electricity supply and green power options. For more information, visit www.capelightcompact.org or call 1-800-797-6699. 

# # #

BARNSTABLE, Mass. – After six months of competition, Yarmouth has been declared the winner of Cape Light Compact’s 2012 “Home Energy Assessment Recruitment Competition” with 77 votes, beating out 16 other towns/organizations for the $8,000 grand prize. All competitors that met the minimum criteria were awarded a cash prize. All told, 336 households had a free home energy assessment and over $20,000 in prizes were given out to towns and community organizations. 

The recruitment competition was run through town Recreation Departments, Councils on Aging and the Cape Cod & Islands Boy Scouts, Cape Cod Child Development and the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod. Teams and individuals were asked to go out in the community and encourage young families and senior citizens to sign up for the Compact’s free home energy assessment.  Each household that went through with an energy assessment was allowed to vote once for the organization that recruited them. 

“When we did the research, we found out that young families and senior citizens were the groups most underserved by our energy efficiency programs,” said Maggie Downey, Cape Light Compact Administrator. “This competition was a fun way for us to get more people in these groups to take advantage of our energy efficiency programs and for us to give back to the communities we serve.” 

The oldest running municipal aggregator in the country, Cape Light Compact offers free energy assessments to residents and businesses on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Initiatives like the recruitment competition and participation in Mass Save®’s lighting deals are all part of the Compact’s efforts to reach the goals set forward in its 2013-2015 Energy Efficiency Plan. The Compact offers rebates for everything from insulation to heating systems and furnaces.

To view standings please visit www.capelightcompact.org/contest.

From left to right – Pat Armstrong, Erik Tolley, Joyce Flynn – CLC Chair and Yarmouth Representative, and Karen Marciante

About Cape Light Compact 

Cape Light Compact is an intergovernmental organization consisting of the 21 towns and two counties on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.  The Compact’s mission is to serve our 200,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy, competitive electricity supply and green power options.  For more information, visit www.capelightcompact.org or call 1-800-797-6699.

 - ### -

Lindsay Henderson  

Communications & Energy Efficiency Analyst

(508) 744-1273

lhenderson@capelightcompact.org

PRESS RELEASE

BREAKING NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 17, 2013 

LED Streetlights Shine The Way To Energy Savings 

BARNSTABLE—Beginning today, as part of a demonstration project, new energy saving light emitting diode (LED) streetlights will be installed in selected residential and commercial areas around all Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard towns.  Cape Light Compact has worked with officials and staff from all towns, and fire districts, who own their municipal streetlights, to select four existing contiguous poles in a residential area and four existing contiguous poles in a commercial area that will be changed to the new LED streetlights.  “This pilot phase will help us gain experience with the new technology and gather public feedback in advance of rolling out the complete retrofit of nearly all 14,000 municipal streetlights across the Cape and Vineyard in 2014”, states Kevin Galligan, Program Manager. 

LED technologies are designed to use 40 – 50% less energy and last longer than older high pressure sodium or mercury vapor streetlights, thereby lowering municipal budget maintenance costs. 

Cape Light Compact has included this initiative as part of its 2013-2015 energy efficiency plan and estimates energy savings of over $500,000 per year when the full retrofit of all municipal owned streetlights is complete in 2014.  The benefits of energy and maintenance savings over the extended life of LEDs will provide a cost-effective return for the estimated investment of approximately $5 million. 

The public can follow the installation schedule and provide feedback on the new LED streetlights by visiting the project webpage at www.capelightcompact.org/ledstreetlights.

About Cape Light Compact

 Cape Light Compact is an intergovernmental organization consisting of the 21 towns and two counties on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.  The Compact’s mission is to serve our 200,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy, competitive electricity supply and green power options.  For more information, visit www.capelightcompact.org or call 1-800-797-6699.

 # # #

Mass Save and Greenlite Lighting present a check for $8670.00 to the Ellie Fund. The funds were generated by the sale of special pink-based CFL bulbs throughout Massachusetts this fall. (L-R): L-R: Briana Kane, Sr. Residential Program Coordinator, Cape Light Compact; Simran Kohli, Greenlite Lighting; Laurie Acone, National Grid; Dan Krasowsky, Lockheed Martin; Jeff Popkin, Founder, The Ellie Fund; Mark Michalski, The Cadmus Group; Kristen Pomer, NSTAR Electric; Laura Orfanedes, The Cadmus Group.

  Sponsors of Mass Save® Present More Than $8,000 to the Ellie Fund

Funds were generated by the sale of special pink-based compact fluorescent light bulbs at retailers throughout Massachusetts.

BOSTON, Mass. (December 12, 2012) – The Sponsors of Mass Save—Cape Light Compact, National Grid, NSTAR Electric, Unitil and Western Massachusetts Electric Company—recently presented a check for $8,670 to the Ellie Fund, a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization whose mission is to support patients and their loved ones as they battle breast cancer.   

This fall, the Sponsors of Mass Save partnered with Greenlite Lighting, a manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting technologies, to produce and sell special, pink-based compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) at select Massachusetts retailers through December. For every Greenlite pink-based CFL sold, Greenlite and the participating retailers donated 15 cents to the Ellie Fund. 

The goal was to raise more than $5,000 through the sale of at least 35,000 CFLs this fall and the initiative exceeded this goal by a significant margin, raising $8,670 for the Ellie Fund through the sale of 57,800 pink-based CFLs throughout the state. 

“We are thrilled with the success of this special initiative and honored to be able to provide this donation to the Ellie Fund,” Briana Kane, Residential Program Coordinator at Cape Light Compact.   

“The Ellie Fund is truly grateful for the support Mass Save has provided through this promotion,” said Julie Nations, Executive Director of the Ellie Fund. “And we are humbled that Massachusetts residents chose to purchase the special bulbs in such overwhelming numbers. Every donation counts and every donation helps us offer significant support to patients and families who are struggling with breast cancer.” 

Sponsors of Mass Save presented a check for $8,670 to the Ellie Fund at a special event held at the Healthy Habits Kitchen in Wellesley, Mass. on the evening of Thursday, November 29. 

The special pink-based Greenlite CFLs are ENERGY STAR^® qualified. Consumers can save up to $50 in energy usage by purchasing just one ENERGY STAR qualified CFL. In fact, CFLs pay for themselves in energy savings in just three months. They are available in a variety of wattages and in covered styles, which are similar in appearance to standard incandescent light bulbs. A complete listing of participating retailers is available at MassSave.com/EllieFund. 

About Mass Save: Mass Save® is an initiative sponsored by Massachusetts’ gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service provider. The Sponsors of Mass Save work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to provide a wide range of services, incentives, trainings, and information promoting energy efficiency that help residents and businesses manage energy use and related costs. 

About the Ellie Fund: The Ellie Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that fights breast cancer and eases its effects on patients and families by providing transportation to medical appointments, childcare, housekeeping, groceries, and nutritious prepared/delivered meals free of charge to hundreds of women and family members across Massachusetts each year. 

# # #

Media Contacts:

wedu

Lisa Cramb

T: 603-647-9338 ext. 244

E: lisa@wedu.com

 The Ellie Fund

Julie Nations, Executive Director

T: 617-835-3958

E: Julie@elliefund.org 

Greenlite Lighting

Tom Cohen, Director of Sales

T: 949-697-5478

E: tomc@greenliteusa.com

                                                                                  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     

CONTACT: Maggie Downey – Cape Light Compact Administrator (508) 375-6636

Lindsay Henderson – Cape Light Compact Communications (508) 744-1273

             CAPE LIGHT COMPACT AND MASSACHUSETTS ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROVIDERS UNVEIL AGGRESSIVE NEW SAVINGS PLAN FOR GAS AND ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS  

New three-year energy efficiency plan aims to create nearly $9 billion dollars in benefits from energy savings

November 16, 2012 – On the heels of the Commonwealth being named the most energy efficient state in the country, for the second consecutive year, Massachusetts’ energy efficiency providers are working to help the Commonwealth keep that distinction by unveiling a new three-year plan to deliver energy efficiency services that will result in nearly $9 billion dollars in economic benefits to residents and businesses across the Commonwealth.  The three-year plan was unanimously approved on November 13, 2012 by the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), an eleven member Council established under the Green Communities Act (GCA). 

This is the second three-year plan that has been developed under  the GCA which calls for the state’s energy efficiency Program Administrators to develop a comprehensive statewide plan every three years that addresses energy needs by first investing in energy efficiency and demand reduction before purchasing new energy supply. The Program Administrators are made up ofMassachusettsutilities NSTAR, National Grid, Western Massachusetts Electric, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, New England Gas, Unitil, Berkshire Gas, Blackstone Gas and the municipalaggregatorCape Light Compact. 

“We’re extremely proud of the success of our first-ever three-year plan that coordinates energy efficiency offerings across the Commonwealth,” said Penni Conner, Chief Customer Officer for Northeast Utilities, parent company of NSTAR and Western Mass. Electric.  “Our goals for the next three years are aggressive and will challenge us all to continue to deliver superior services to our customers.” 

In developing their new plan for 2013 – 2015, Program Administrators worked closely with the Patrick Administration, the office of Attorney General Martha Coakley and the EEAC. Program Administrators also worked with a diverse group of stakeholders that included business and civic leaders, policy makers, advocates and Massachusetts residents in a highly interactive two-day summit designed to generate ideas to shape new energy efficiency programs.  In addition to existing successful efforts, such as free Mass Save® home energy assessments, equipment rebates, low-income services and HEAT Loan financing programs, additional ideas generated from the sessions incorporated into the new plan include approaches targeted specifically toward economically challenged neighborhoods, the healthcare sector and office space. 

One hallmark of the Program Administrators’ comprehensive plan is their commitment to continue nationally-recognized services to low-income customers. This low income delivery effort is coordinated through the state’s low-income weatherization and fuel assistance program network. 

“We look forward to providing cost effective, whole house, energy efficiency services, along with the Program Administrators, to all low income homes and communities throughout Massachusetts,” said Elliott Jacobson, Vice President for Energy at Action, Inc. “The plan provides the opportunities to make energy more affordable, lower energy consumption, and decrease negative environmental impacts.  We thank the Program Administrators for their support and commitment, and we thank the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) for their role in creating the collaborative process that resulted in this ambitious three year plan.”

In keeping with the GCA, the Program Administrators’ plan also calls for promoting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and stimulating job creation in the clean energy sector. With projected Program Administrator costs of approximately $2 billion and estimated savings benefits of nearly $9 billion, economic and environmental benefits to consumers will be substantial. 

The Program Administrators estimate that 2,300 jobs will be created in clean energy as a result of the implementation of the energy efficiency programs for residential and business customers. 

Cape Light Compact’s highlights 

Cape Light Compact estimates savings of 118,078 MWh annually and 1,173,045 MWh of lifetime electric savings. 

Cape Light Compact continues to make a strong commitment to energy education outreach by increasing consumer awareness through presentations, events, and marketing. The showpiece of the Compact’s award-winning energy education program and initiatives is its collaboration with the National Energy Education Development Project (“NEED”) in the development of an energy education program for elementary through secondary level teachers and students on the Cape and Vineyard.  

The Compact continues to offer rebates for inefficient room air conditioners and dehumidifiers by partnering with Barnstable County’s Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service to conduct community “turn-in” events during the popular Household Hazardous Waste Collections. 

The Compact continues to offer enhanced benefits for year-round renters and customers who fall between 60-80% of median income.   

In 2013, the Compact is implementing a territory-wide initiative to retrofit approximately 14,000 municipally-owned streetlights with LED lamps, with no co-pay for participating towns. 

Small business tenants who qualify will receive increased incentives up to 95% for direct install measures, and for other small business customers, the Compact is offering an additional zero interest financing option directly through its primary direct install program vendor. 

“The 2013-2015 Statewide Energy Efficiency Plan continues the excellent energy efficiency programs that Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard customers have experienced since 2001, and offers new opportunities for our communities through LED streetlights and new tenant initiatives for both residential and commercial customers.  Our 21 member towns and 2 counties are pleased to have participated in this statewide process,” stated Bill Doherty, Cape Light Compact’s Chairman. 

Having already obtained the unanimous support of the EEAC for the 2013-2015 statewide plan, the individual Program Administrators are now seeking final approval on their territory-specific plans from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). The DPU is expected to act on these requests in January 2013.

Cape Light Compact’s plan and the statewide energy efficiency plan are available at www.capelightcompact.org/eep. 

About Cape Light Compact 

Cape Light Compact is an intergovernmental organization consisting of the 21 towns and 2 counties on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.  The Compact’s mission is to serve our 200,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy, competitive electricity supply and green power options.  For more information, visit www.capelightcompact.org or call 1-800-797-6699.