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Local Government Energy/ Climate Committees

Nashua Green Team

Community Profile: Nashua is the second largest city in New Hampshire with approximately 86,000 residents.  The center of a diverse and dynamic region, Nashua is situated at the heart of Hillsborough County.  It is endowed with urban amenities as well as the charm of traditional New England landscape.  The combination of an excellent quality of life and proximity to Boston, the seacoast, and the White Mountains makes Nashua an attractive growth center for New England.  Nashua has twice been named Money magazine's "Best Place to Live in America," and is the only city in the country to win this honor more than once.

The administration of the fiscal, prudential, municipal and other affairs of the city are made by the Mayor and an elected Board of Aldermen. The Board of aldermen consists of fifteen aldermen, sitting and acting together as a single body. The mayor and six aldermen are elected at large and the other nine aldermen are elected one by ward.

Project Outline: : In 2001, Nashua alderman signed a resolution which committed the city to ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) program. During the summer of 2005, city officials met with Keene’s CCP to begin to work towards their commitment. The Green Team emerged out of a November 2005 workshop on sustainability and climate protection, and became an official city committee with the passing of ordinance 06-09, which charged the Green Team with the duty of advising the mayor, board of aldermen, and division directors on issues related to the goals of an increase energy efficiency, a decrease in air pollution, as well as reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy expenditures. Read the official press release here.

Included among the Green Team’s more recent successes is the anti-idling campaign, which has proved to boost public awareness about the dangers of needlessly idling their vehicle engines.

Benefits: To date, Nashua Green Team efforts have led to:

• Over $2.2 million dollars in savings within the School District alone since 2002 as a result of an energy conservation program
• A realization of over $42,000 in savings as a result of light fixture replacement at Street and Traffic buildings
• Annual savings of $6,500 as a result of lighting upgrades at City Hall
• 30% annual energy savings as a result of installing new windows and frames in City Clerk offices
• The installment of an anaerobic digester in 2000, which recovers methane from sewage treatment, thereby reducing its volume by 50% and saving the town $9,000-$12,000 per month in electricity costs through cogeneration

Process: Nashua Green Team officers suggest that interested communities begin with a series of public meetings, then adopt an ordinance or resolution formally establishing the group. Next the group must adopt by-laws under which to operate, and then begin raising money to support efforts.

Guides: The Evolution of the Nashua Green Team (PowerPoint Presentation)

Links and Downloads to Use as Templates:

Nashua Green Team website

Ordinance Establishing Green Team as a City Committee

Green Team Bylaws

Press Release

General Engine Idling Policy

Anti-Idling Campaign Flyer

Green Office Checklist

Green Team Master Plan Energy Matrix

Nashua Paper Purchasing Policy

Contact:

Angela Vincent
Senior Regional Planner
Nashua Regional Planning Commission
115 Main Street, Nashua, NH 03061
Email: angiev@nashuarpc.org

Janice Tremblay
City Purchasing Director/Green Team Chair
229 Main Street, PO Box 2019
Nashua, NH  03061
603-589-3333
TremblayJ@nashuanh.gov

Green Teams for State Governments - Pennsylvania:

In March of 1998, Governor Thomas J. Ridge passed an Executive Order, formally establishing the Governor’s Green Government Council. The council’s stated goals include the facilitation of the incorporation of sustainable practices, continuous improvement in environmental performance, and an ultimate goal of zero emissions.