Hancock Energy Advisory Team (HEAT)

Hancock Energy Advisory Team Members

HEAT News

GRANT AWARD

The Select Board has been busy with a variety of items this month. A Public Hearing was held on Monday, June 14 to accept an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) in the amount of $199,096. These funds were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) program to assist local governments to implement projects that are intended to reduce energy use and develop sustainable sources of energy.
In Hancock, the EECBG funding will support two projects that will include the installation of solar photovoltaics (solar panels) on the roofs of several town buildings including the Town Barn, Fire Station and the Recycling Center and the weatherization of the Police Station, Town Office, Meeting House, Town Barn and Fire Station. The estimated annual energy savings cost to the town will be $4,000.

It’s reassuring to know that even in the current environment, when most small towns are feeling the pinch of state cutbacks, our town, through the commitment of a handful of dedicated volunteers serving on the Hancock Energy Advisory Team (HEAT) was able to attain the funding for these important cost saving projects. The Select Board would like to thank all HEAT members Tom Faber, Nancy Gamble, Kurt Grassett, Matthew Hale, Phil Jones, and Amy Sulborski.

Courtesy Hancock Happenings, July 2010

Hancock Wins
Two Energy Conservation Grants

On the town’s behalf, HEAT submitted two grant proposals on February 16, 2010 to the State of New Hampshire’s Office of Energy and Planning. Both proposals sought funding for EECBG Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block grant funds made available through the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. No matching funds were required for either proposal.

The first application sought $82,000 to complete weatherization of the Hancock’s municipal buildings as recommended in our recent physical audit. This proposal specified improvements for sealing of building envelopes, the addition of insulation, and many other measures. The improvements promised to save costs through reduced energy consumption.

The second proposal sought $117,000 to install photo voltaic arrays on the firehouse, recycling center and the two buildings at the town garage. Through PSNH net metering, the photo arrays were projected to reduce the costs of electricity at the four sites by 75%.

The state received over 250 applications in competition for the full amount of funding available; $6,608,781.

AND ON MARCH 11, 2010, THE STATE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND PLANNING APPROVED BOTH OF HANCOCK’S PROPOSALS.

Courtesy Hancock Happenings, April 2010

HEAT Works Toward
Town Energy $avings

If you see some unusual activity and strange equipment around town buildings soon, don’t be surprised—Hancock’s Energy Advisory Team is making final arrangements for energy audits of town buildings as a first step to making all the buildings more energy efficient. All of the audits will be paid for with a grant that HEAT secured from NH’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) fund. HEAT has released a Request for Proposals and soon will be making a decision on who will be performing the work. You will know the audits are happening by the infrared cameras, the negative pressure blowers, or “blower doors,” and the auditors scurrying
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about to check nooks and crannies for heat loss and potential energy savings.
Seven town buildings will be audited: the Town Offices, Police Station, Meeting House, Library, Fire Station, Town Garage, and Tool Shed. Look for reports on audit findings and recommend-ations for ways to save energy in 2010.

Courtesy Hancock Happenings, December 2009

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