528 Bostonians sign up to weatherize during the Boston 500
Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced earlier this month that the Boston 500: Challenge to Save Energy has reached its goal of signing up 500 Boston residents for a Renew Boston no-cost energy assessment.
Renew Boston partnered with NSTAR, National Grid and 40 local community organizations who hosted 25 outreach events for the Boston 500 to sign up renters, homeowners, and landlords.
“I want to congratulate Renew Boston and its community partners for engaging more Bostonians to save energy and money,” said Mayor Menino. “The success of this collaboration with our community partners is a testament to our residents desire to be greener and save some of their hard-earned income in the process.”
As part of Mayor Menino’s Renew Boston program, residents that signed up will have an energy expert come to their home and receive instant savings measures. Qualified residents will get weatherization services of air sealing and insulation at 75 percent off up to $2,000. Since 2010, Renew Boston, in concert with NSTAR and National Grid, has provided over 18,600 energy assessments and has weatherized more than 4,800 homes.
“Renew Boston is an established and acclaimed program that will continue to work throughout Boston to bring low and no-cost energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to residents and businesses” said Brian Swett, Chief of Environmental and Energy. “I look forward to further innovation and expansion of this successful program so that it may continue to serve all Bostonians”
Community partners for the Boston 500 included Boston Public Schools, Boston Youth Climate Action Network, Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, Boston LISC, Boston Building Resources, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Boston Climate Action Network, Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Talbot Norfolk Triangle Neighbors United, Clean Water Action, Boston Nature Center, Planet Southie, and 350 Massachusetts, among others.
Last week, Mayor Menino announced the Renew Boston Whole Building Incentive that significantly reduces the cost for energy efficiency improvements in two and three family homes through the Mass Save Home Energy Services Program. For triple-deckers and duplexes where all eligible units are weatherized, incentives include 90% off insulation, up to $3,000 per unit. This new initiative fulfills the Mayor’s pledge to better reach two key segments of Boston residents: renters and middle income households.
All Boston residents are welcome to continue to sign-up for the Renew Boston no-cost home energy assessment online or by calling 617-635-SAVE (7283).
Renew Boston is part of Mayor Menino’s Greenovate Boston initiative, which aims to encourage sustainable behavior by Boston residents and businesses to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. Visit www.GreenovateBoston.org for more information.