Climate Policy & Action to be Addressed at CIRECâ??s February 15 Meeting

An educational and networking event presented by the Cape & Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative

â??Changing the Climate: Responses from the Global to the Local Level," an educational and networking event presented by the Cape & Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative (CIREC), is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, from 7 to 9 pm, at the Barnstable Middle Schoolâ??s cafeteria in Hyannis (895 Falmouth Rd/Rt 28).

This free event, open to the public, will focus on responding to the threats posed by climate change in ways that make economic and environmental sense. Chris Powicki of Water Energy & Ecology Information Services will review the unique attributes of the climate challenge, the current climate policy situation, and possible implications for future action by the federal government and within the Cape & Islands region.

Chuck Kleekamp of Cape Clean Air and Clean Power Now will provide insight on the emissions footprint of the Canal Station in Sandwich, in advance of a hearing scheduled for February 16 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP hearing will provide local residents and officials with an opportunity to comment on proposed amendments to state regulations for controlling greenhouse gas emissions from the Canal plant and five other large-scale fossil power plants in Massachusetts.

David Anthony of the Town of Barnstable will discuss the climate policy commitment made by the Town Council in 2002 and highlight the actions taken by the Barnstable Green Team and municipal agencies to reduce both energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.   

Information will be available on membership in CIREC, the local chapter of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). In addition, time to network will be provided.

CIREC (http://www.cirenew.org/) was formed in 2000 to bring together diverse individuals and organizations with common interest in achieving a sustainable energy future, both locally and globally. CIREC participants work together to build awareness of the benefits of renewable energy, increase the use of clean energy technologies, and lay the groundwork for transforming the energy basis of the Cape & Islands region.

In September 2005, CIREC became the local chapter of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). NESEA (http://www.nesea.org/) is the leading regional membership organization in the United States focused on promoting the understanding, development, and adoption of energy conservation and renewable energy technologies. NESEA is headquartered in Greenfield, Mass. Other chapters are centered on the North Shore and in Boston and located in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.