Regional Renewable Energy Advisory Network

In today’s North Country, innovation and resourcefulness is key. NCBA’s approach to energy issues has been largely informed through their successful work with Colebrook energy groups. Over the last 10 years Colebrook residents have committed time andexpertise to implement various efficiency and renewable projects. For example, the installation of a solar powered aeration unit and methane recapture project save the town $70,000 annually. In addition, the Colebrook groups have made energy efficiency improvements to their Town Hall, schools and town streetlights. They were also involved in the early review of a manual, Community Roadmap to Renewable Woody Biomass Energy, which helps community groups increase stakeholder engagement and ensure that communities meet their goals when considering energy projects.

The NCBA is exanding their reach to help other communities advance thinking about the community benefits realized through energy projects: jobs,recirculated dollars, community voice and environmental integrity. They are ahead of the curve and we believe their understanding of and commitment to community benefits can and should be shared with other communities across the region. This approach to community benefits will accelerate efforts to initiate, support, and expand fair and thoughtful energy activities in the North Country. As an economic development partner with NCBA, the Center sees great value in these activities. We look forward to continuing our partnership to advance the project objectives.
 

In November 2010, Hubbard Brook Research Foundation, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the Northern Forest Center held a Biomass Roundtable to discuss the barriers to strategic use of the region’s biomass energy resources and to develop a framework for how each organization’s respective efforts can collectively address important policy and scientific questions. 

In February 2010, The Center partnered with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation to offer a forum on financing renewable energy projects in New Hampshire’s North Country. Speakers included representatives from the Public Utilities Commission, Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Board, NH Office of Energy and Planning, the Biomass Energy Resource Center, and Law Office of Rath, Young and Pignatelli. Watch the video recording (LINK to video—Sarah, please pick up from http://www.northernforest.org/2009-ref-video.shtml) of the forum.

In 2007, with partners from the regional biomass initiative—the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) and the University of New Hampshire Carsey Institute—the Center helped write a Biomass Energy Action Plan [860 KB .PDF] for the region. The regional biomass initiative formed to explore the potential for woody biomass to provide an increased source of renewable, sustainable energy for the Northern Forest region.