State House Recognizes Newton-Needham Chamber For Being So Green

NEWTON, MA — For some businesses, it isn't easy being green - or at least it can seem daunting and expensive at first. That's where the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber of Commerce steps in to help businesses connect to state programs that encourage energy upgrades. During the past two years, the chamber has connected some 550 companies to such programs.

If that seems like an impressive fete, the folks at the Massachusetts State House thought so, too and handed the chamber an award of excellence for that work.

On May 1 Rep. Ruth Balser and other State House officials celebrated the Newton-Needham Business Energy $avers (or NNBE$ for short) program which has helped local businesses take advantage of more than $3 million to fund energy upgrades.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to recognize the Newton Needham Regional Chamber for the leadership they have shown by encouraging local businesses take advantage of the Mass Save program,” said Newton Rep. Ruth Balser in a statement. “Not only has this program produced significant savings for the business community but it has also helped our cities and towns reach our environmental goals.”

After recognizing the burden high-energy costs were having on its member companies, the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber partnered with their Eversource’s local vendor World Energy Efficiency Services, the City of Newton and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy to start the special program.

Over the past two years, the team has connected 550 companies to the Mass Save program to help cut down on operating costs, according to the chamber.

Through the NNBE$ program, eligible businesses receive free energy audits, financing for upgrades, and rebates on lighting, heating, cooling and other upgrades through the Mass Save program, which is run by the local utilities.

Also attending the May 1 ceremony honoring the chamber at the State House were State Sens. Cynthia Creem and Michael Rush, State Rep. Kay Khan, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Needham Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick.

“This program has made a huge difference to our companies, large and small, and we couldn’t have done it without the leadership of our Environment Committee Chair Peter Smith, from our chamber volunteers, CICE, World Energy and our municipal partners,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman in a statement.

To learn more about NNBE$ program visit www.nnchamber.com or sign up for a free energy assessment with WEES at http://www.worldenergyes.com/H...

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Photo: The Newton-Needham Regional Chamber received an award of excellence at the Massachusetts State House on May 1. Pictured from left, Rep, Kay Khan (Newton), President of World Energy Rick Galipeau, VP of World Energy Mike Santangelo, Director at Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy Jessica Bergman, Sen. Mike Rush (Needham), Needham Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick, Chamber Environment Committee Chair Peter Smith, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, Chamber President Greg Reibman, Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem (Newton) and Rep. Ruth Balser (Newton)

Credit: Courtesy Newton-Needham Chamber