Region 1: EPA New England
Serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont & 10 Tribal Nations
Greenbytes: September 16, 2003 Edition
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
In this IssueGreetings from EPA New England. We hope you find this edition of Greenbytes useful and we encourage you to give us feedback. Please send an email to Paul Wintrob with your thoughts, comments or suggestions: wintrob.paul@epa.gov
The Massachusetts Electric Co. has launched an exciting new program so that residential and small business customers can support renewable energy sources such as wind, soar, biomass and small hydro when they buy their electricity. Unveiled at a ceremony in Quincy, the GreenUp program is available to 1.2 million customers in 168 Massachusetts communities. It is the first program of its kind in New England. Under the new program, eligible customers can select a renewable energy product from one of four firms – CET & Conservation Services Group Inc., Community Energy Inc., Massachusetts Energy Consumers Alliance and Sterling Planet. Customers participating in the program pay for their renewable energy based on their total electricity usage each month. The charge is in addition to their current monthly cost and will be added as a separate line item to their bill. The cost of the service is based on the products and prices offered by the participating renewable energy firms. For a typical residential customers using 500 kilowatt hours of electricity a month, the average additional monthly cost is expected to range between $6 and $12.50. The process of signing up is easy. Customers simply select a participating renewable energy company and one of the products they offer. Then, customers contact the participating renewable energy provider’s web site, or complete and mail an enrollment card that will accompany September’s electric bill. Speaking today in Quincy, EPA NE Regional Administrator Robert Varney praised the new program, saying “GreenUp provides Massachusetts Electric consumers the opportunity to make a choice that is good for the environment.” Varney noted that power plants have an enormous impact on the environment, emitting 51 percent of the sulfur dioxide and 10 percent of the nitrogen oxides in New England and 33 percent of the mercury nationwide. These pollutants all contribute to smog, airborne particles, acid rain, mercury deposition and nitrification of water bodies. Web Resources:
Press Releases EPA To Meet with Residents to Discuss Indoor Air Cleanup Plan Fed Gov Proposes Two Long Island Sites for Dredge Disposal: Public Review & Comment Sought EPA To Hold 6th Annual Cornell Pond Fishing Derby September 20 Cleanup to Begin at Former Sanborn Wood Factory in Winchendon, MA Facilities in ME Join EPA’s Performance Track: Application Deadline 10/31/03 EPA Proposes Fine Against Claremont, NH Public Works Department EPA Proposes Fine Against New London, CT Public Works Department Cleanup to Begin at Troy Mills Landfill in Troy, New Hampshire EPA Proposes Fine Against Former ME Landlord For Lead Paint Disclosure Violations EPA Begins Cleanup In Henniker, N.H.
Events and conferences are not archived. Please refer to the Regional Calendar for upcoming events and conferences.
Brownfields - updated 'what's new' page Colleges and Universities Assistance - new audit initiative evaluation page EPCRA Assistance - industry, colleges & universities security awareness info General Electric Superfund Site - july 2003 1.5 monthly report Long Island Sound Dredging - draft eis posted Manchester CSO - links and contacts updated Naval Air Station South Weymouth Superfund Site - reposted rod NEPA - recent comment letters posted Ozone Smog - nonattaintment areas updated Poem & Poster Contest - 2003 winners SIP Plans - updated massachusetts information Spanish - new section en español
"In The News" is a free daily service that provides links to today's top newspaper stories about the New England environment and links to related EPA New England information. In The News Email Service: As soon as today's edition of "In The News" has been posted we will email you a listing of the day's environmental news. |
