berkshire regional energy plan
DESCRIPTION
Berkshire Regional Energy Plan. Cedar Blazek Lucie Coleman Zoe Grueskin Chie Togami. Overview. We Would Like to Thank. Amy Kacala Nancy Nylen Wendy Penner Annie Stilts. Sarah Gardner – Williams College. Overview. Why is This Important?. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Berkshire Regional Energy PlanCedar BlazekLucie ColemanZoe GrueskinChie Togami
We Would Like to Thank
Amy KacalaNancy Nylen
Wendy PennerAnnie Stilts
Sarah Gardner – Williams College
Overview
Why is This Important? Global CO2 emissions reached a record high in 2011 Recent studies suggest that US trend of decreasing
emission (down 9% from 2005) is unlikely to continue unless: We find alt. methods for producing and consuming
energy
We need a new regional energy plan to address growing problems with our energy production/consumption To ensure Berkshire County can have energy security,
ensure environmental and public health, and help mitigate climate change
Overview
Where do we fit in? TASK 1: Outreach Strategy and Key Issues
Roundtables solicit input from the full range of residents, businesses, and community
leaders on the topic of renewable energy generation
TASK 2: Develop a Regional Energy Inventory
County-wide energy efficiency and renewable energy project inventory Regional energy baseline by sector, detailing as possible how energy is
used community to community, including levels of local participation in the Green Communities program, where local energy committees are active and what their focus has been, and resources and incentives available to support local efforts.”
From: Proposal for Providing Regional Energy& Efficiency Planning Services – CET and Peregrine
Overview
New England Electricity Mix
3%
9% 1%
10%
3%
36%
29%
7%2%
Landfill Gas + Biomass (3%)Coal (9%)Hydro: Large (1%)Hydro: Small (0%)Imported Power (10%)Municipal Trash (3%)Natural Gas (36%)Nuclear (29%)Oil (7%)Solar (0%)Wind (2%)
New England Greenstart and New England Wind Disclosure Label 2009
Overview
How Much Electricity Do We Use?Residential Electricity Consumption
County Commercial, Industrial, and Municipal Electricity Consumption
Overview
How Much Electricity Do We Use?Residential
55,338 households * 8,036.3 kWH (AVG kWH for single-family attached house) =
444,712.77 MWHCommercial/Municipal
(4557 Employer Establishments + 7761 Non-Employer Establishments) * 8471.6 (AVG kWH for New England Commercial/Municipal)=
879,440.74 MWH
Sources: US Census Economic Data, 2009-2011 American Community Survey, US EIA
Overview
Policies, Grants, & Incentives
Photo: Eric Haynes, Governor’s Office
PoliciesInternational1997/2005: Kyoto ProtocolNational2009: Obama’s Copenhagen Commitment
Regional2009: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Projected U.S. Emissions under Different Federal Regulatory Scenarios and State Scenarios
Source: Nicholas M. Bianco and Franz T. Litz, “Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States Using Existing Federal Authority and State Action,” (Washington, DC: World Resources Institute, 2010).
Policies
2008: Global Warming Solutions Act 2008: Green Communities Act
Massachusetts
Photo: Eric Haynes, Governor’s Office
Source: Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 Portfolio of Policies
Policies
Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020Projected Impact
“Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020,” Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, 2010, ES-7.
Policies
In progress: Wetlands Protection Act Regulatory Reform – “limited projects” status for access roads to renewable energy projects
MassachusettsPolicies
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs http://www.mass.gov/eea/air-water-climate-change/climate-change/massachusetts-global-warming-solutions-act/
Stretch Code: energy efficiency standards for new constructionRenewable Energy Bylaws: Enable as-of-right siting for wind and solar R&D, manufacturing, or energy generation
LocalPolicies
Grants & Incentives
MunicipalitiesRenewable Energy • Green Communities• MassCEC grants• EPA
Energy Efficiency • Green Communities• MassCEC grants• U.S. Department of Energy• EECBG (ARRA - DOE)
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs http://www.mass.gov/eea/air-water-climate-change/climate-change/massachusetts-
global-warming-solutions-act/
Residential & CommercialRenewable Energy• Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) - Federal• Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) - Federal• Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) – Mass• Net metering
Energy Efficiency• Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction• Audits, assessments from Massachusetts utilities• Tax credits for home energy improvements
MassCEChttp://www.masscec.com/index.cfm/page/About-Clean-Energy/pid/11138
Grants & Incentives
Checking in with Green Communities
Mass.gov 7-24-12http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2012/2012724-governor-announces-green-
communities.html
Berkshire Green Communities
Williamstown, Pittsfield, Lenox, Becket, Richmond, Great Barrington
Challenges• Shortage of staff• Design of Green Communities Act: focused on energy reduction
Recommendations• Committee composed of citizens and city employees• “Circuit-rider” – role for BRPC?• Improve legislation: account for source of energy generation, achievements before designation, residential and commercial
Hopes for Energy Plan• Document goals and objectives• Provide more support • Give weight to grant proposals
Berkshire Green Communities
Current Renewable
Energy Project
Inventory in Berkshire
County
Current Commercial Scale Solar Project
Pittsfield – Silver Lake Solar Facility (10/10) 8 acres – 1.8 MW
http://www.pittsfield-ma.org/newsdetail_T1_R24.htm
Current Projects
Hoosac Wind
http://www.robinson-donovan.com/news/hoosac-wind-farm-permit-completed_194/
Facts:-Florida, MA (by 12/12)-19 turbines -28.5MW-Developer – Iberdroia Renewable
Benefits:-$257,000 annual payments to town-140 temp. jobs & 3-5 permanent-Off-set ~100million lbs of CO2/year
Current Projects
Berkshire Wind
http://www.industcards.com/wind-usa-e.htm
Facts:-Brodie Mountain (5/11)-Owner: Berkshire Wind Power Co-op-10 turbines-15MW-$149,000 predevelopment financing loan from MassCEC-$64,705,000 in tax exempt revenue bonds from BWPCC
Benefits:-50 full-time jobs during constructionOff-set ~612 metric tons CO2/year or 1.17 million barrels of oil
Berkshire WindCurrent Projects
Survey Goal: To gather
input and assess attitudes toward electricity use and production, and to determine if renewable energy projects would be a good fit for Berkshire County.
Survey Methodology
Wind Turbine at Jiminy Peak Ski Resort
Solar Array in Pittsfield, MAhttp://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/13376/slide_13376_182357_large.jpg?1354570362313http://www.powdermag.com/files/2012/11/jiminy-peak-wind-turbine.jpg
Geographical Diversity
North DistrictMiddle DistrictSouth District
Survey Methodology
http://www.berkshirerealtors.org/images/berkshiremap2.gif
TownsAdams (N)N. Adams (N)Williamstown (N)Lanesborough (M)Pittsfield (M)Great Barrington
(S)Lenox (S)Stockbridge (S)
Survey Methodology
Talking Stockbridge, MAen Communities
Talkin Great Barrington, MAen Communitieshttp://luxuryexperience.com/images/stories/Destinations/
Berkshires/great%20barrington,%20massachusetts.jpg
Administering the Survey Surveying was conducted on five different
dates – 11/11, 11/17, 11/18, 11/19. and 11/23 The majority of surveys were administered
verbally with the surveyors marking responses and transcribing quotes.
Surveyors worked in pairs Surveying was done primarily in heavily
trafficked areas – farmers markets, downtown street corners, and supermarkets.
Important note: No Williams students were surveyed
Survey Methodology
Survey Challenges Original survey – Too long!
- multiple drafts Difficulty finding residents and not
tourists Difficulty finding people willing to take
the survey Incomplete responses Limited sample size (55 completed
surveys)
Survey Methodology
n=19
n=20
n =18
Survey Response by Region
NorthMiddleSouth
32.7%34.5%
36.5%
Survey Results
N =55
n=25
n=30
Survey Response by Gender
MaleFemale
Survey Response by Age Group
20%n=6
n=15n=7n=11
n=8 n=7
Survey Response by Age Group
18-25 yrs.26-35 yrs.36-45 yrs.46-55 yrs.
14.5%
Survey Results
54.5%45.5%
20%12.7%
27.3%
11%12.7%
N=55
N=55
0
1
2
3
4 3.62 3.29
Question 1: In thinking about meeting fu-ture energy needs in your home or business,
how important is each of the following to you?
1 - NOT IMPOR-TANT AT ALL2 – NOT VERY IMPORTANT
3 - IMPORTANT4 - VERY IM-PORTANT
Survey Results
N=55
Region
al En
ergy I
ndepen
dence
Job Crea
tion
Climate
Change M
itigati
on
Reduced
Air and W
ater P
ollutio
n
Human Hea
lth0
1
2
3
4
2.98
3.743.36
3.74 3.81
Question 2: Below is a list of reasons that have been suggested for increasing energy efficiency
and renewable electricity generation in the Berk-shires. Please rate the following choices based on
their importance to you.
1 - NOT IMPOR-TANT AT ALL2 – NOT VERY IMPORTANT
3 - IMPORTANT4 - VERY IM-PORTANT
N=55
Survey Results
Regio
nal En
ergy I
ndepen
dence
Job Cr
eation
Climate
Chang
e Mitig
ation
Redu
ced Air a
nd W
ater P
olluti
on
Human
Health
0
1
2
3
4
2.92
3.81
3.283.62 3.73
3.04
3.683.43
3.86 3.89
Question 2: Below is a list of reasons that have been suggested for increasing energy efficiency and renew-
able electricity generation in the Berkshires. Please rate the following choices based on their importance to you.
MaleFemale
1 - NOT IMPOR-TANT AT ALL2 – NOT VERY IMPORTANT
3 - IMPORTANT4 - VERY IMPOR-
TANT N=55
Survey Results
n=35
n=18
n=2
Question 3: How much of our electricity do you think currently comes from renewable
sources?
(a) 0-25%(b)25%-50%(c)50%-75%
63.6%
32.7%
3.6%
N=55
Survey Results
Survey Results
n=3
n=23
n=27
Question 4: How much of our electricity would you like to see come from re-
newable sources?
(b)25-50%(c) 50-75%(d)75%-100%
5.7%
43.3%
N=53
50.9%
18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 66+0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
11 1
3
52
7
4
1
38 3
33
4
Question 4: How much of our electricity would you like to see come from renewable
sources?
75-100%50-75%25-50%0-25%
Age Category
Percentage of total re-sponses by
age category
Survey Results
N=55
Coal
Natural
Gas
Nuclea
r
Biomass
Hydrop
ower
Solar
Wind (sm
all-sca
le)
Wind Fa
rm0
1
2
3
4
1.98
2.67
1.77
2.45
3.433.8
3.43 3.44
Question 5: How do you feel about each of the following energy sources as means of energy
production for Berkshire County, regardless of where the energy is generated?
Energy Sources
1 – STRONGLY OPPOSE
2 – MILDLY OPPOSE
3 – MILDLY SUPPORT
4 – STRONGLY SUPPORT
Survey Results
N=55
Averaged Responses
Coal
Natural
Gas
Nuclea
r
Biomass
Hydrop
ower
Solar
Wind (s
mall-sca
le)
Wind Fa
rm0
1
2
3
4
2.212.64
1.64
2.27
3.19
3.673.38 3.48
North District – Averaged Responses
Energy Sources
1 - Strongly Opppse
2 - Mildly Oppose
3 - Mildly Suppory
4 - Strongly Support
Survey Results
N=19
Coal
Natural
Gas
Nuclea
r
Biomass
Hydrop
ower
Solar
Wind (s
mall-sca
le)
Wind Fa
rm0
1
2
3
4
1.82
2.65
2.122.47
3.72
2.12
3.44 3.42
Middle District – Averaged Responses
Energy Sources
1 - Strongly Oppose
2 - Mildly Oppose
3 - Mildly Support
4 - Strongly SupportN=20
Survey Results
Coal
Natural
Gas
Nuclear
Biomass
Hydrop
ower
Solar
Wind (s
mall-sc
ale)
Wind Fa
rm0
1
2
3
4
1.94
2.6
1.5
2.53
3.413.76 3.76
3.41
South District – Averaged Responses
Energy Sources
1 - Strongly Oppose
2 - Mildly Oppose
3 - Mildly Support
4 - Strongly SupportN=18
Survey Results
n=38
n=13
Question 6: Have you seen any of the re-newable energy projects in Berkshire
County
YESNO
25.1%
74.5%N=51
Survey Results
n=25
n=5
n=5
Question 7: If Yes, what do you think of the projects you are familiar with?
Like themDislike themIndifferent71.4%
14.3%
14.3%
N=35
Survey Results
Main Survey Findings Residents we surveyed were very
supportive of renewable energy. (50 of 53 ~ 50%-100%)
Respondents favored solar energy followed by a three-way tie between hydropower, small-scale wind, and wind farms.
Of the respondents who had seen renewable energy projects, the majority indicated that they liked them. (25/35)
Survey Results
Verbal Survey ResultsNorth Adams, Female, age 18-25, 11/9/12“ I do not know a whole lot about the projects to
make an informed decision.” (regarding renewable projects)
Adams, Female, age 26-35, 11/9/12“ I have nothing negative to say about any of these choices because I am not familiar with how each and every one of these choices are efficient or not efficient.”
Lack of Energy Knowledge
Survey Results
Verbal Survey Results
Adams, Male 26-35 (32), 11/11/12“I think wind energy is good. I’ve seen the wind farms out in California, that’s the place for them. They are in big wastelands out there. The Berkshires don’t have that type of land. Here they are eyesores and ruin our ridges.”
Q: What do you think of the projects you are familiar with?
Survey Results
Verbal Survey Results
Lenox, Female, 26-35, 11/23/12 “We can’t expect tourists to come visit our mountains if we put these big machines on top of them.”
Q: What do you think of the projects you are familiar with?
Stockbridge, Female, age 56-65, 11/11/12“I thought windmills would be a good idea, but not here, because of the bird migrations. We’re right in their central path”
Survey Results
Positive Feedback Williamstown, Female, age 56-
65, 11/17/12 “ I see the wind power and I think
oh, it’s good it’s wind, not coal, not nuclear, not oil; it’s wind”
Lenox, Female, age 36-45, 11/11/12“We should aim to use build lots of small scale projects (eg. wind mills on homes like on sailboats).”N. Adams, Female, age 25-35, 11/9/12“I know some residents feel the turbines/windmills are an eyesore and “ruining the landscape” but my family and I believe that these sort of energy initiatives are working towards protecting and preserving said landscapes!”
Survey Results
State Progress
Priorities
Berkshire County Emissions by Source:
Looking ForwardWe have the policies, the financial support, and the knowledge to move
forward. We believe that what the regional energy plan could do best is to clarify and refine our goals for energy
efficiency and renewable energy generation, and to help build the
institutional and social connections to achieve them
Thank YouQuestions?