TEEC
Temple Energy & Environment Committee
WHAT IS RGGI
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
The NH Sustainable Energy Division assists the Public Utilities Commission in administering the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Fund to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and initiatives in New Hampshire.
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Fund (GHGERF) is a dedicated fund created by New Hampshire legislation, The source of the funding comes from New Hampshire’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI):
RGGI is the regional cap and trade program aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the electric power sector across ten participating states in the northeast.
Under RGGI, the amount of emissions are inventoried and then an emission cap is established at a level below current levels.
New Hampshire adopted the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in 2008, as part of a Northeast and Mid-Atlantic ten-state initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.
Temple Won A RGGI Grant in 2009
In 2009, the NH Public Utilities Commission, managers of the RGGI funds at that time, awarded Temple a grant for $332,000 in RGGI funds - to conduct a deep energy efficiency retrofit for the Fire Department, Municipal Building, and Mansfield Library, and to develop and administer an Educational Outreach Program. It succeeded beyond the original goal of 70% reductions in energy use and GHG emissions for the Municipal Building and FD.
Following the retrofit's final blower door tests, conducted by Margaret Dillon, Energy Auditor, and an examination of 2 + years of field data, the data analysis has determined that the library's energy use has been reduced by 1/3 and its moisture issues mitigated which is vastly improving the air quality and the health of the building and books.
The Municipal Building and FD are saving an average of between 75%-85% in heating fuel and between 82%-85% in carbon loading....a stunning success! Bottom line - RGGI's energy efficiency program will save Temple energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower our tax burden for years to come.
As the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) stated:
“Energy efficiency is the lowest-cost means of reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Efficiency programs typically spend about 3 cents to save a kilowatt hour of electricity that would otherwise cost between 6 and 19 cents to produce by fossil-fuel fired power plants.”
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