BY TIMOTHY LAROCHE
[email protected]
CLAREMONT — Following several energy efficiency projects in recent years, the city received high marks this week as part of New Hampshire Energy Week.
At an awards presentation in Concord on Thursday, Claremont was named the Municipal Energy Champion. Several organizations partnered for the awards, including the Community Development Finance Authority, The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions and the Granite State Brewers Association. The award was presented by former Sen. Kelly Ayotte.
“I had the pleasure of receiving the Municipal Energy Champion Award on behalf of the City of Claremont,” City Planner Michael McCrory said. “Our fellow nominees had some great energy achievements.”
Several energy initiatives have been implemented in the city in the past few years. Most recently, the updated 2017 Master Plan includes an energy chapter advocating increased sustainability efforts and environmental policies guiding city decision-making.
The vision statement for the energy chapter states: “Claremont will be a resilient, energy-efficient community able to adapt to and mitigate the effects of local, regional and global changes, by creating and implementing comprehensive, sustainable and regenerative energy policies for all.”
Included in the chapter are suggested improvements to the city’s energy infrastructure efforts to maximize municipal energy efficiency. Since development of the chapter began, several suggestions have already seen progress, such as the inclusion of solar panels at the wastewater treatment plant — a project slated to come before the Planning Board for an update on Tuesday — and the creation of the Energy Advisory Committee.
In late January, the City Council accepted a Community Development Finance Authority grant to replace lighting at the Claremont Savings Bank Community Center with energy-efficient LEDs. The project is expected to save nearly $14,000 in energy costs each year, with a 25 year lifespan.
In 2004, the Department of Public Works converted existing street lights around the city to high-pressure sodium bulbs in a bid to improve efficiency. The DPW began converting street lights to LEDs in 2016, citing greater efficiency and cost savings.
The city also eased zoning restriction in the city center in 2013 to allow for mixed-use development. Mixed-use zoning, which allows multiple land uses in the same district – like retail space and housing – reduces energy costs by increasing walkability in neighborhoods. By decreasing the need for cars, mixed-use zoning is linked to reduced air pollution and maintenance needs for city streets.
McCrory credited many of the energy accomplishments to late project manager Kurt Beek, who heralded many of the energy initiatives until his death in October 2017.
“I announced, when receiving the award, that the award was being received in honor of Kurt Beek,” McCrory said. “[Beek was] someone who worked so hard on energy projects over the years and whom we lost unexpectedly late last year.”
Follow Timothy LaRoche on Facebook at Eagle Times – Timothy LaRoche, or on Twitter at @TimothyLaRoche.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.