EPA Dubs Swampscott A Green Power Community

SWAMPSCOTT, MA – Out of all the towns and cities across the U.S., Swampscott has been officially named one of the most green. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency added Swampscott to its list of Green Power Communities, at number 37.

The town announced its first-ever inclusion on the list on Monday, and noted that Swampscott uses nearly 17 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which represents 24 percent of its total power needs. Swampscott’s choice to use green power is helping to advance the green power market and support clean renewable energy alternatives.

"I’m extremely proud of the direction our town is taking to move toward a greener future," said Naomi Dreeben, Chair of the Board of Selectmen in a statement. "It’s exciting to not only see Swampscott gain this recognition but more importantly that we’re leading the way. Swampscott is currently one of only two communities in Massachusetts to receive the designation"

Swampscott Community Power – the town's electricity aggregation program – contributes to its green power use. Bay State Consultants and Peregrine Energy Group helped develop the program, which was approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities in 2015. The program provides 100 percent green energy, and gives users choices in supply costs.

"Swampscott is proud to be recognized by the U.S. EPA for our green power use," said S. Peter Kane, Director of Community Development. "Town Meeting members agreed with our desire to bring price-reliable electric supply in 2012 and we married that with the community’s focus on greenhouse gas reduction by developing the aggregation program. By making the choice to use clean, renewable energy, our community becomes more sustainable, while also sending a message to others across the United States that using green power is a sound business and community decision. It’s an important tool in reducing one’s carbon footprint in the first against climate change."

Green power is zero-emissions electricity that is generated from environmentally-preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact hydro. Using green power helps build demand for the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide and helps users reduce their carbon footprints.

According to the U.S. EPA, Swampscott’s green power use of nearly 17 million kWh is equivalent to the electricity use of nearly 2,000 average American homes annually.

Image via Shutterstock