We believe strongly that the most effective remedy to both global warming and energy supply issues is to first reduce demand. By reducing demand now, we greatly extend the available supply and give ourselves more time to adapt to its decline. Reducing demand does not mean reducing quality of life – it means living more efficiently. Europeans use half the oil per capita that Americans do, and have just as high a quality of life.

According to US 2003 EIA data, Massachusetts is ranked 47th out of the 50 states plus DC with its per-capita annual energy consumption of 212 Million BTUs. Yet, Massachusetts ranks 17th highest in petroleum use and 13th highest in use of natural gas. What saves us is our low rate of coal consumption, perhaps a credit to our history of environmental activism. In spite of recent availability of in-street natural gas, most Boxborough homes are heated with fuel oil.

In neighboring Harvard, the 2000 Census showed 86% of homes [6] used fuel oil or kerosene as their primary heating fuel. Most home energy audits indicate that significant savings of heating fuel can be achieved by improving insulation in attics, walls and basements, and by reducing air leakage. 47% of homes in Harvard according to Census were built before the 1973 oil crisis, after which builders started to install better insulation. Simply upgrading the insulation in these pre-1973 homes would greatly improve their energy efficiency and save owners money.

Utility Efficiency Incentives
Boxborough is served by two municipal electric companies, Littleton Electric and Hudson Light & Power. While municipal utilities can offer lower rates than investor-owned utilities such as National Grid, there are fewer incentives available to homeowners. Littleton Electric offers a rebate program for EnergyStar appliance purchases up to a certain limit per year, see the LELWD website for details. There is also a link to a home efficiency calculator, but there are many other excellent tools available on the Internet.

Federal Incentives A federal tax credit was offered for certain home energy efficiency improvements through December 31, 2008. A tax credit of up to $2000 helps to offset costs of renewable energy installations, including solar hot water systems. Congress hasn't yet acted on an extension to this program, so act now!

Massachusetts Incentives
There is a $1000 personal tax credit on renewable energy installations, a 20-year moratorium on property tax assessments for renewable systems, and a moratorium on sales tax for renewable energy. There are a few other incentives from the Commonwealth including the new Green Communities Act signed in July 2008. Watch for more on this program.

Home Energy Audits Conservation Services Group (CSG) ia one local company that performed home energy audits at homeowner cost. Towns served by investor-owned utilities can obtain an audit for free, including a number of free compact fluorescent light bulbs which provide roughly the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs, at 25% of the power consumption. CSG also conducts "blower door" tests, a means of locating air leakage into the home's envelope in order to improve efficiency.

Boxborough may not be eligible for other state programs due to its municipal utility, but having such a non-profit utility, governed by a local board, does offer other opportunities. One municipal, Hull Light, has installed two large wind turbines capable of meeting a significant portion of the town's needs, at least while the wind is blowing. (In Hull, this is usually the case.) So, while we can't participate in programs such as National Grid's GreenStart program, sponsored by the Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, or renewable energy grant programs offered by Mass Technology Collaborative, we may be able to convince Littleton Electric create a similar program or to purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), a means of investing in renewable energy.

Incentives and Tax Credits. Harvard Local has assembled a table of Incentives and Tax Credits for home renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements, with links to web sites for more information.Please ignore the column showing incentives from National Grid; they aren't available in Boxborough.