Recently, Greiner said the group has been putting its energy into promoting a new program offered by Massachusetts Electric Co. called Green Up. This month Mass. Electric, now a part of National Grid, will distribute sign-up cards for the program in customers' bills.

The program is an option for customers to choose electricity that comes from renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines, biomass incinerators or solar power. Those who volunteer for the program will pay between $6 and $12 extra, depending on the options chosen.

"For every dollar that's spent, we get money back for renewable energy projects in our town," said Greiner.

Steve Magoon, an administrator in the planning office, says the city is eligible to receive $3,500 for renewable energy projects or for energy conservation purposes.

"It's available to us, but we haven't taken advantage of it yet because we're hoping to get more people to participate and get more money," said Magoon. "Once you get a substantial amount together, then it's possible to do something more significant."

Greiner said he understands that many people live within tight budgets and could not handle the extra expense.

"It's not for everybody, because you do have to pay more. I signed up for Green Up and what I did in conjunction is I did an energy efficiency audit of my own house and found a couple of places to be more efficient," he said. "It's not for everybody, but it's a way to make a difference if you can. The program's not perfect, but it's a huge step forward."

The group will string a banner across Main Street this week to encourage support for Green Up. If 3 percent of the city's population signs up, Gloucester will receive a one-time payment of just under $21,000 from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

In the last three years, the Cape Ann Climate Change Network has worked with the city to promote wind turbines for spot projects, such as a water treatment facility or a school, and to make municipal buildings more energy efficient.
"We campaigned to Mayor (John) Bell to establish a renewable energy committee, which he did," said Greiner. "It now allows the city to get up to $25,000 in services from a quasi-state organization that can look at possible sites for windmills and that's an important development. There are a number of communities along the shore that are looking at renewable energy. Hull has a turbine, Lynn is looking at two turbines to power their wastewater treatment plant."
Bell said that the Mayor's Renewable Energy Committee is an advisory group and will soon advise the City Council as well.

"The mandate of the committee was to do quite a bit of talking to bring new ideas, but also to come up with solutions to implement in the short term to help," he said.

The committee is working with Varian to consider two wind turbines at the Blackburn Industrial Park.

"At the same time, the committee has asked me to have the (Massachusetts Technology Collaborative) take a look at our industrial parks, at Fuller School and O'Maley School and the feasibility of recommending alternative wind energy for those sites," said Bell.

Greiner said the group will focus on promoting Green Up for the remainder of the year. It is premature to discuss plans for next year, he added.

The Cape Ann Climate Change Network
Year Started: 2002
Number of members: About 25
Goals: Increase use of renewable energy sources, encourage energy conservation, initiate business and government projects to reduce greenhouse emissions