Climate Action Services

CET helps communities move toward a sustainable future

For more than 30 years, CET has assisted communities with practical, affordable solutions to energy and waste management issues. CET’s broad array of services to towns includes recycling and waste management programs, environmental education, greening municipal buildings, renewable energy education, and helping towns earn funding for local clean energy projects.

CET’s Climate Change Circuit Rider Initiative

Towns in western Massachusetts are increasingly concerned about rising energy costs, dwindling fossil fuel resources and a warming climate. Recently, CET received funding from the Jessie B. Cox Charitable Lead Trust and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for a Climate Change Circuit Rider Initiative. This initiative will enable CET to work more intensively with communities in the Berkshires and the Pioneer Valley toward cutting energy costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

CET’s Circuit Rider Initiative aims to help start or strengthen energy or climate action committees. Our Circuit Riders are able to offer limited support to towns in western Massachusetts on a first-come, first-served basis, so please contact one of CET’s Climate Change Circuit Riders if your town would like to participate. In the Berkshires, contact Nancy Nylen. Communities in the Pioneer Valley can contact Peggy MacLeod.

Some highlights of CET's Circuit Rider Services

• Start or strengthen energy committees or climate action groups
  CET’s Western Massachusetts Town Energy and Climate Action Guide
  A comprehensive step-by-step guide for establishing a climate action group or energy committee in your town, with resources on funding, programs, strategies and organizations.
• Workshops and education for municipalities
  Greening Your Community: Leading By Example
  Berkshires, October 21
  Pioneer Valley, October 28
• Earn funding for a local renewable energy project in your town
• Direct assistance to towns
  CET will help towns with tasks such as conducting a needs assessment, identifying goals, implementing clean energy campaigns, and identifying available resources.
• Web-based clearinghouse
  CET invites your active participation in the process of sharing solutions. CET is in the process of gathering information from towns in western Massachusetts to create a clearinghouse of information that towns can access to learn from each other’s achievements and challenges, and adapt or replicate successful strategies or programs. If you want to share your town’s green achievements, please contact Peggy MacLeod.
• Download a full description of CET's Climate Action Services to Towns

Municipal Case Studies

• North Adams Library (.pdf download)
• Town Building, Wendall (.pdf download)
• Northampton Sustainability Planning (.pdf download)

Model Municipal Bylaws and Resolutions

• Amherst Clean Energy Campaign Resolution (.pdf download)
• Model Climate Change Resolutions (.pdf download)

See our Resource Library handouts/presentations for communities.