Northampton's Clean Energy Efforts

• 10 kW solar panels installed on JFK Middle School
  
  
• Landfill gas is converted to electricity
  
  
• Downtown parking meters are powered by solar energy
  
  
• Downtown trash collection is people-powered, not diesel powered
  
  
• All City diesel vehicles run on 20% biodiesel
  
  
• Geothermal heat pumps at the new Senior Center reduce energy use
  
  
• Hundreds of residents and businesses have signed up for renewable energy through the GreenUp program, earning the City over $140,000 to spend on clean energy projects

• The Senior Center was built to high-efficiency standards (Silver LEED rating)
  
  
• High-efficiency LED traffic lights
  
  
• The DPW uses two high-efficiency hybrid vehicles
  
  
• More efficient "downsized" vehicles used for meter-reading
  
  
• Ongoing efficiency improvements in all City buildings

As Northampton moves forward, a number of City plans, ordinances, and initiatives, such as the Sustainable Northampton Master Plan, the Northampton Climate Protection Inventory, the Northampton Transportation Plan, the forming of a new Energy Resource Commission, and the hiring of an Energy and Sustainability Officer all support the City's efforts to:

• Increase use of renewable energy
  
  
• Upgrade to highly efficient city buildings
  
  
• Expand bike and pedestrian pathways
  
  
• Improve traffic flow
  
  
• Eliminate idling of diesel vehicles
  
  
• Continue a steady reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
  
  
• Increase community energy-literacy
  
  
• Support private-sector energy upgrade efforts

You can download a more detailed flier of Northampton's energy accomplishments here: