LES January Newsletter

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Local Energy Solutions E-News
Turning Ideas into Action

January 2017

Happy 2017!

Happy 2017 from the LES Work Group! We hope your year is off to a great start. the LES Work Group has some great things in the works for 2017, including webinars, resources, and the ever-popular Local Energy Solutions Conference! Stay connected with LES at our website www.nhenergy.org.

New this year, the New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association (NHSEA) will be assuming coordination of the LES Work Group. NHSEA has been represented on the Work Group for several years and will continue to play an important role while also assuming responsibility for managing the newsletter, webinar series, meetings, and other organizational activities.

Energy News

LES January 2017 Webinar: Energy Efficiency & the EERS in NH: Past Present, & Future

Join the New Hampshire Local Energy Solutions (LES) Work Group for the first webinar of 2017! This webinar is focused on energy efficiency and NH’s new Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS), a big step forward for efficiency funding in our state. First we’ll dive into the creation of the EERS and highlight important terms and dates in the approved settlement agreement. Next we’ll discuss aspects of the upcoming three-year implementation process, including what it means for residents, businesses, and towns across NH. Finally, we’ll provide an overview of current program offerings, how to realize the benefits of energy efficiency right now, and what to expect in the future. This webinar is presented by our very own NH efficiency experts, so whether you’re new to energy efficiency or already know how important it is, you’ll be able to get answers to your questions. Register here!

New Hampshire Wood Energy Council Recognizes Littleton Regional Healthcare Modern Wood Heating Installation

The NH Wood Energy Council recently recognized Littleton Regional Healthcare (LRH) for their installation of an advanced wood pellet boiler at their facility in Littleton, NH.

DHI of Colebrook, NH and Messersmith Mfg. Inc. of Bark River, MI installed the boiler(s) to switch from heating oil (or other fossil fuel) to locally sourced wood fuels, thereby reducing heating costs and using a renewable, low carbon fuel alternative.

As boilers tend to be hidden away from public view, the handsome locally made wood plaque will help visitors to the facility to understand the commitment that LRH has made to modern wood heating technology and sustainable energy. Learn more about NHWEC at www.nhwoodenergycouncil.org

Workshops & Trainings

Webinar: Solar Equipment, Installation, and Licensing & Certification: A Guide for States and Municipalities
The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) is producing a guide on standards and requirements for solar equipment, installation, and licensing and certification. The guide, which is being authored by Beren Argetsinger of Keyes & Fox LLP and Ben Inskeep of EQ Research LLP, will be designed for state and municipal officials who are developing or revising solar standards and requirements. It will discuss a selection of programs and rules for solar equipment, installation, and licensing & certification to highlight the means by which states and municipalities have addressed these areas and includes recommendations and considerations for each topic area. The guide will be released in February 2017. REGISTER HERE

EPA Smart Growth Technical Assistance Programs
Click here to learn out about the many technical assistance opportunities to help communities learn about and implement smart growth approaches.

No Cost Technical Assistance for Local Governments
SolSmart provides recognition and no-cost technical assistance to help local governments reduce barriers to solar energy growth. The program is designed to drive greater solar deployment and help make it possible for more homes and businesses to access affordable and renewable solar energy to meet their electricity needs. SolSmart experts will design personalized action plans for communities that outline a path to designation as a SolSmart community, along with a rough timeline. SolSmart is federally funded for a three-year period, but is expected to persist beyond this timeframe. Stakeholder and community benefits are described on the program website. http://www.gosparc.org/

New Energy Resources

Sustainable Solar Education Project
The Sustainable Solar Education Project provides timely information and educational resources to help states and municipalities ensure distributed solar electricity remains consumer friendly and benefits low- and moderate-income households. The project is developing program guides, webinars, online course material, and in-person training for government officials on topics related to strengthening solar equitability, improving consumer information, and implementing consumer protection measures. It is managed by the Clean Energy State Alliance (CESA) and funded through the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative’s Solar Training and Education for Professionals program.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Click on the calendar to see what is happening in January & beyond.

ABOUT THE LES WORK GROUP

Our mission is to provide collaborative guidance and technical support to Local Energy Committees & Commissions (LEC's), municipalities, schools, and other political subdivisions* seeking to reduce energy use, minimize energy costs, and/or reduce fossil-fuel consumption. Consider joining our efforts: contact Brianna Brand @info@nhenerg.org for more information on the LES Work Group's efforts and opportunities for participation.

About Our E-Newsletter: The monthly Local Energy Solutions E-newsletter of the NH LES Work Group is compiled and distributed by the New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association on behalf of the NH Local Energy Solutions Work Group. Learn more about the NHSEA .

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Our mailing address is:
54 Portsmouth Street
Concord, NH 03301
info@nhenergy.org

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