Green team: Valley communities working with energy consultant

By Brian Messenger
bmessenger@eagletribune.com

June 16, 2009 12:04 am

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Eager to grab a share of the money for energy-efficiency projects under the federal stimulus bill, cities in the Merrimack Valley are going green together.

Haverhill, Lawrence and Methuen are all working to reduce energy costs in public buildings.

But to get stimulus money for facility upgrades, communities must apply for the funding and put together a detailed plan.

To help secure the funds and move the projects forward, the three cities are working with an energy consultant to offer technical expertise and resources.

The Boston-based Peregrine Energy Group is also working with North Andover, Amesbury and Salisbury through a partnership with the Merrimack Valley Mayors and Managers Coalition.

Money to hire Peregrine came from a Massachusetts Technology Collaborative grant, according to Dennis DiZoglio, executive director of the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.

"With these trying times, communities don't have a person to dedicate to how they can improve energy conservation," said DiZoglio.

"This coordinator is going to help them get organized," he said. "Some want to do conservation in buildings. Others want to generate energy, solar or wind power."

In Haverhill, DiZoglio said the city wants to install solar panels on the roof of the Citizens Center. Methuen is looking to improve energy conservation at City Hall, he said.

In Lawrence, DiZoglio said officials seek to hire a company to make energy efficiency improvements in city buildings and pay for the work with the resulting savings.

"They've all got a different story, but they're all using the coordinator to help advance that strategy," he said.

DiZoglio said Peregrine will also help the six participating communities monitor energy use, recommend energy policy changes and suggesting capital equipment upgrades to cut energy budgets.

The Merrimack Valley Mayors and Managers Coalition was formed about two years ago.

Andover and Newburyport are also members.