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Have you ever wondered how much energy Morgantown uses and how that translates into greenhouse gas emissions?
Would you like to learn how you could save energy in your home or business?
Do you have ideas for our decision makers on how our community can save energy and create a more sustainable Morgantown?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, please join a conversation about energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in Morgantown on Thursday, November 14. The event is the third in a fall series of “Green Nights at the Library,” organized monthly by the Morgantown Municipal Green Team. The meeting will take place at the Morgantown Public Library at 373 Spruce Street starting at 6:00 PM. Parking is available across the street.
Jeff Simcoe, Ben Gilmer, and Andrea Varrato of the local consulting firm Downstream Strategies will introduce the community to an Appalachian Stewardship Foundation–sponsored project whose overall goal is to identify and implement energy-saving opportunities in Morgantown.
Ben Gilmer—a member of the project team and co-author of the final report—said, “By identifying ways to reduce energy and resource use, the City and its residents can save money through lower energy bills, while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions.”
The project will also show City progress in meeting environmental goals outlined in the 2013 Comprehensive Plan. These goals include implementing programs that protect natural areas, using energy sources efficiently, and promoting healthy waterways and clean air.
Jeff Simcoe, who is managing the project, said, “While local governments have performed greenhouse gas emissions inventories across the country, this will be the first in West Virginia and will serve as a model for other municipalities across the state. We would like to thank the Appalachian Stewardship Foundation for the grant funding as well as the City of Morgantown for their support during this very important project.”
Downstream Strategies is leading this project in coordination with the City of Morgantown staff and the Morgantown Municipal Green Team. Specifically, the project will inventory greenhouse gas emissions, identify cost-effective opportunities to save energy, and help implement recommendations to save money and reduce emissions.
The presentation will highlight early results and solicit community input to ensure that the project outputs and energy saving measures reflect community priorities. Participants will also be able to exchange ideas on energy-saving techniques that have worked for them. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Downstream Strategies, with offices in Morgantown and Alderson, WV, offers environmental consulting services that combine sound interdisciplinary skills with a core belief in the importance of protecting the environment and linking economic development with natural resource stewardship. For more information, see www.downstreamstrategies.com.
The Morgantown Municipal Green Team is a group of citizens that advises the City of Morgantown on matters relating to sustainability in public policy, planning, education, departmental management, development, and evaluation of environmental and energy-related issues. For more information see www.morgantowngreenteam.org.
For more information on this event, please contact Pamela Cubberly, Morgantown Municipal Green Team (Pamela@Cubberly.net) or Jeff Simcoe (jsimcoe@downstreamstrategies.com).