Energy Upgrades at Chevalier Theatre

Medford has received over $250,000 in both rounds of Green Communities Grant funding, and money for this year is being put to use at the Chevalier Theatre.

Alicia Hunt, the city director of energy and environment and environmental agent, said the city is doing an oil-to-gas conversion and an upgrade of the heating system there.

"The city chose this project because natural gas burns more cleanly than oil," Hunt said at a city press conference last week. "It produces fewer greenhouse gases, the price is lower and more stable."

Hunt said removal of the underground oil storage tank at the theatre was successful and there were no problems with leakage or brownfields due to the age of the tank.

"One of the reasons for removing it now is to prevent that from happening in the future," she said.

Hunt added that residents can consider similar oil-to-gas conversions and heating system upgrades for their own homes.

Medford is participating in a National Grid pilot outreach program with MassSave and residents can get a no-cost energy assessment. Residents can call 855-838-7817 to set this up.

More information is available at www.medford.org/gogreen.