The Political Climate: an ongoing commentary on the NH Primary and Climate Change

On August 1 The Littleton Courier (subscription required) reported on the formation and mission of the Bethlehem Energy Committee, one of the many local energy committees organized after the Town Meeting Resolution around the state.

Bethlehem was one of the first North Country towns to organize their energy committee which consists of eight dedicated members.  According to a statement from the committee, their mission is to “promote energy conservation and to investigate renewable energy sources and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the town and its constituents.”  The Courier story recognizes the two mutually beneficial reasons that New Hampshire towns are beginning to organize energy committees: addressing climate change and saving energy dollars. 

The Bethlehem committee is working with PSNH.  First efforts include installing a simple measure that the town could take to improve their energy efficiency, possibly energy saving water heater timers.  In the future the committee wants to pursue funding and support for energy conservation and efficiency upgrades through federal and state programs.

The seven new members of the Bethlehem energy committee listed in the article are a testament to how these energy committees are growing.  In June when Toby Ball left the Carbon Coalition, there was only one committee member in Bethlehem.  At that early point there were over 80 energy committee volunteers representing 50 towns.  The Courier story is an indication that those numbers have only grown.

The Community-Toolkit on Local Energy Committee website is an important source of knowledge to help you organize an Energy Committee in your town.

The Local Energy Committee working group, chaired thankfully by now volunteer Toby Ball, is planning regional workshops for September and October.  Check in for more information on the Energy Committee website as more details are released or email Toby Ball at ccenergycomm@gmail.com.