Leaders of New England’s innovation economy had their hearts warmed last week when Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick sent out an early Valentine: He publicly declared love and devotion to the Green Communities Act (GCA).
Joining Newton Mayor Setti Warren on a tour of a zero net-energy home in Waban, Governor Patrick addressed dozens of attendees – including several notable members of the New England Clean Energy Council and sponsor Environmental Entrepreneurs – and touted the economic benefits of energy investment. Directly addressing the fears of some in the clean tech community that political pressure may force a retreat in GCA backing, Governor Patrick vowed his continued support:
“The Green Communities Act is not going anywhere as long as I have anything to say about it.”
Words to warm the cockles of even the most nervous energy efficiency advocate, to be sure, and the house offered a perfect setting for the Governor’s words of support. Indeed, David and Karen Miller’s home is a postcard for the GCA and what’s possible when homeowners avail themselves of GCA incentives to make their homes more energy-efficient.
During the tour, Governor Patrick noted several energy efficiency features directly facilitated by the GCA, including the “net-zero energy” status the Millers’ home achieves by reducing the amount of energy the home needs and generating its own energy.
What else did Governor Patrick and Mayor Warren learn about net-zero buildings? For starters, that net-zero buildings feature higher-quality insulation and enhanced mechanical and ventilation systems (to reduce energy needs) and solar panels (to produce energy.)
The Miller home features several categories of material that provide higher levels of insulation than traditional materials, including R5 windows, R40 walls, an R20 basement and an R60 roof. In an R40 wall, for example, the walls are around 12” thick, versus 6” thick in a traditional home, and that thicker wall may use different insulation than is typically used. The home also features very energy-efficient appliances (for heating and cooling) and energy-efficient lighting, further reducing the home’s energy needs.
All of this is possible thanks to the GCA encouragement of utilities to design plans for homeowners and businesses to lower energy costs while providing rebates for things like insulated windows and more efficient boilers.
With debate swirling around the GCA of late, a little love from the Governor was just the right Valentine for NECEC and other leaders of the region’s innovation economy.
