Kimberley Driscoll

Mayor

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 10, 2007

Salem, MA - Following a spirited competition with the City of Worcester, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll announced today that Salem won the "Clean Energy Choice" competition by being the first of the two cities where over 100 National Grid customers enrolled in the Green Up program. When a resident enrolls, they offset their use of conventional energy sources with clean, renewable energy like wind, solar and small-scale hydropower. The competition was launched six months ago in an effort to raise awareness of the benefits of clean electricity, and the availability of new funding incentives programs from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC).

"Our thanks to every Salem resident who has taken this step, and enabled us to emerge as a clean energy leader," said Mayor Kim Driscoll. "Let’s keep this trend going -- for every resident who makes this choice, the City of Salem receives additional funds from MTC to invest in local clean energy projects like solar panels for our schools."

Mayor Driscoll and then Mayor, now Lt. Governor, Tim Murray announced this friendly competition because both see strong community support in their respective cities for clean energy, energy independence, and clean tech jobs creation. As the winner, Salem Alliance for the Environment (SAFE) will receive dinner in Worcester, and an entertainment package to Worcester attractions for their tireless work and advocacy on behalf of the Green UP Program.

"Congratulations to Salem residents for showing their community pride by making the Clean Energy Choice," said Warren Leon, Director of the MTC Renewable Energy Trust, "and to both Mayor Driscoll and Mayor/Lt. Governor Murray for showing leadership that has increased public awareness and generated matching MTC clean energy grants for their cities."

The MTC manages the Commonwealth’s Renewable Energy Trust Fund and seeks to increase both the supply of and demand for clean, renewable electricity. MTC applies a two-pronged strategy:

Community groups, including Clean Water Action, Regional Environmental Council of Worcester, and Salem Alliance for the Environment, jumped into action in both communities to help spread the word. Since the launch of the competition, the clean energy sign up rate in Salem has been greater than anywhere in the Commonwealth, with the exception of Northampton. According to most the most recent figures, only 35 more residents need to participate in the Clean Energy Choice program to earn a new 2kW photovoltaic array from MTC.

"Salem is clinching its position as a true clean energy leader," said Cindy Luppi, Clean Water Action Program Director. "With so many Salem residents supporting the Green Up clean energy choice, Salem will soon earn a solar power system that can be installed on a school or City buildings."

"With the recent climate change reports confirming how serious a problem we're facing, it's nice to see Salem officials and residents taking concrete steps that will help," said Cindy Keegan, Salem Renewable Energy Task Force member and long-time member of SAFE (Salem Alliance for the Environment).

"It’s our goal to have Salem be the greenest community in the Commonwealth, and we’re well on the way to getting there," said Susan Yochelson of SAFE. "It is very exciting that by supporting the GreenUp program we can bring much needed money to the City," she continued.

"With funding assistance from MTC, we hope to take full advantage and make investing in local clean energy projects a top priority for the coming year," concluded Mayor Driscoll. "The momentum at the community level is contagious and I hope progress continues on this very important issue in the City of Salem."