Fwd: HEET newsletter + May 5th Work-Day planning

[ebroadbent]

Just FYI - for those that aren't aware, Cambridge HEET is helping us with a full-building energy audit and really going to town analyzing what might be the best choice for us to invest in to save energy.  I thought I'd forward their latest newsletter, below.

These folks are the real-deal, we are lucky to have their services (for free!).  They have recently focused on churches - adding to their original focus on low-income and duplex housing in Cambridge and Somerville.  There are HEET chapters sprinkled around the area.

We are now focusing on planning for the work-day - set for May 5, which will involve air-sealing.  I'd like to set a date for a planning get-together in the next two weeks to go over the work areas, materials, and generally how to engage the congregation.  (I could even imagine an RE component to this - but that requires more thought.)  In other words, hopefully we can promote and engage on this as an educational and service opportunity for the entire congregation - and it should be a great energizer/kick-start for our other Green Sanctuary efforts as we move forward.  

Perhaps the Green Sanctuary Committee and members of the B&G committee could meet (or have a potluck) during the next two or weekends to discuss and plan this.

In case the newsletter doesn't format well in your mailer,

I've excerpted a section regarding work on another church:

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The work we completed at our barnraising at St. John/St. James in Roxbury two weeks ago, should save the church at least $1,257 per year for seven years, or a total of $8,799. In terms of carbon emissions, this is equivalent to taking seven passenger cars off the road for a year.  

 

Probably, because of the work of Jonah Decola (the kind and wildly knowledgable HEET plumber), the savings will probably be a lot higher.  During the work party, he managed to make several adjustments to the boiler and radiators to make the system much more efficient.  Thank you, Jonah. 

 

Below is a thank-you from the Reverend.  

 

On behalf of St. John's/St. James Episcopal church, please allow me to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for having organized and directed the Saturday 03/24/2012 work on our building. The enthusiasm and energy that were witnessed there were great. Please convey our indebtedness to the entire team of volunteers who came out in a large number to help us. With the input of every one, St. John's/St. James will be able to save a lot on its utility bill. 

 

Once again thank you and may God bless you all. 

The Rev. Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa

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Begin forwarded message:

From: "HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team)" <heet.ca...@gmail.com>
Date: April 10, 2012 10:40:22 AM
To: ebroa...@mac.com
Subject: HEET: Team Leader training: Q-Lon; thermal image opportunity

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Donate! Want to help others help themselves? Make a donation today so HEET can keep doing exactly that, and thanks. Easy Links Next Event: April 22 HEET Happenings HEET Happened Other Notes Jobs     Dear Ericsson,   I feel HEET has finally hit the big time.   HEET and Mass. Interfaith Power & Light have won a two-year Barr Foundation grant.   The Barr Foundation, to me at least, is like the stamp of official approval.  It is a fabled and wondrous foundation that funds climate change mitigation (as well as many other great work) in the Boston area.   This will mean we will be able to help a lot more people  reduce their impact on the planet and their wallets  through smart and easy fixes.   Info about the grant is below, but for now, let me wish you all a great Earth Month.   Go cut some carbon out there,   Audrey on behalf of the HEET Board  Barr Foundation Grant:    HEET and Mass Interfaith Power & Light will work in 35 houses of worship over the next two years in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville to: organize a barnraising (aka an energy-upgrade work-party) guide the house of worship through the utility's services, rebates and financing pay for the energy efficiency work through paying for energy-efficiency and renewable work that the congregation gets performed in their own homes. (For instance, if Sally in the congregation installs solar panels, the house of worship will receive several hundred dollars toward their efficiency project.) What's great about this grant is the more fossil fuels and money the congregation saves in their homes, the more money raised to help the house of worship reduce its energy use. The grant starts on Earth Day, April 22, 2012.   Please suggest the program to your house of worship.     Next Event: April 22 in Cambridge    Please sign up for our Earth Day barnraising at The Friends Meeting House is a Quaker Meeting House at 5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge. The work will be on Sunday, April 22nd  from 1 pm to 5  pm.  What a great way to celebrate Earth Day.  Sign up here.  There will be food at the end of each event. You will be taught how to do the work by experienced team leaders, while you learn how to lower your own bills at home.    Come along, make new friends, meet old ones, help out.   Top  HEET Happenings: HEET New Hire We have hired a second full time person to work at HEET - Jesse Gorden, most recently of the Cambridge Energy Alliance.   She needs to rent a room somewhere in Cambridge.  Since we can't pay the big bucks for her work, anyone have a lead to a less expensive rental? If so, email Jesse.  Thanks.      HEET's president, Audrey Schulman is  talking at: Massachusetts Sustainable Communities and Campuses Conference  Partnerships in Sustainability April 20 & 21, 2012, UMass Boston Campus Center The Sustainable Communities and Campuses Conference brings together experts and peers from government, businesses, communities and campuses. Everyone learning about community and campus sustainability, and best practices will find this conference timely, practical and valuable. Topics include partnerships in sustainability; green communities updates and resources; financing downtown renovation; green business development strategies; sustainable systems for energy, food, materials, & transportation; sustainability and education; expanding connections between campuses and communities; and sustainability success stories. Presenter:  Audrey Schulman 2:15-3:15pm Friday, April 20, 2012 Local Organizations that Engage People - The Ripple Effect Meet three leaders from community organizations renowned for engaging the community.  Hear about their work, the ripple effect and far-reaching solutions.   Rob Garrity  Executive Director of Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) Audrey Schulman  President of Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) Meredith Small  Executive Director of Toxics Action Center (TAC) Registration rates, $45-75 per day, are available at http://masccc.eventbrite.com If you need a discount:  HEET members can get a 20% discount on Saturday, April 21st only. Type in the promotional code GREEN.  Saturday is about how to make college campuses green.    Top  HEET Happened   The work we completed at our barnraising at St. John/St. James in Roxbury two weeks ago, should save the church at least $1,257 per year for seven years, or a total of $8,799. In terms of carbon emissions, this is equivalent to taking seven passenger cars off the road for a year.   Probably, because of the work of Jonah Decola (the kind and wildly knowledgable HEET plumber), the savings will probably be a lot higher.  During the work party, he managed to make several adjustments to the boiler and radiators to make the system much more efficient.  Thank you, Jonah.  Below is a thank-you from the Reverend.   On behalf of St. John's/St. James Episcopal church, please allow me to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for having organized and directed the Saturday 03/24/2012 work on our building. The enthusiasm and energy that were witnessed there were great. Please convey our indebtedness to the entire team of volunteers who came out in a large number to help us. With the input of every one, St. John's/St. James will be able to save a lot on its utility bill.  Once again thank you and may God bless you all.  The Rev. Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa   Top   Other notes:   350.org Training Bill McKibben's 350.org has joined this huge effort that is bringing together over 60 organizations from labor unions to environmentalists, to domestic workers, immigrant rights groups, and the peace movement -- all to train 100,000 people in Nonviolent Direct Action tactics and strategy this Spring.     One of the 700 nonviolent direct action trainings is happening in Somerville on April 14th, and led by Marla, a local 350.org organizer.   Click here to join the training. Here are the details:   WHAT: Somerville 99% Spring Training WHEN: April 14th, 9:30 AM - 5 PM WHERE: First Church Somerville, Somerville, MA 02144 If the event is full, or you can't make it on the 14th, click here to find another training near you. The training will include strategies to address the climate crisis, but it won't be the only focus - we'll also have an opportunity to learn from other dynamic movements who are working against all forms of injustice and inequality that are trashing our communities and planet.   ***  CEA Solar Hot Water Grants - The City, through its Cambridge Energy Alliance initiative, is offering a limited number of grants to residents and businesses for solar hot water systems.  The grants will cover 50% of the remaining out of pocket costs of the system after other incentives, up to $2,000.  Applications will be accepted up to November 19, 2012 and are available on a first come, first serve basis until funding runs out.  The City grant will complement other incentives including the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center solar thermal grants.  See here for more information.  Top   Jobs:     Next Step Living is hiring.   CSG is hiring.    Top    heet.ca...@gmail.com   http://heetma.com/  Home Energy Efficiency Team/  Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 /

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