In the third of a series of lectures in Andover on renewable energy, John Rogers, a senior energy analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists, spoke Tuesday night about the possible impacts of climate change on Massachusetts and about the options to address it.
Rogers emphasized what he believes is the potential for reducing global warming pollution by increasing energy efficiency and using more renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. As an example, he presented analysis released this week by the Union of Concerned Scientists showing the positive economic and environmental effects of requiring utilities across the U.S. to use at least 25 percent renewable energy by 2025.
"Our choices about the way we make and use energy in our homes, on the road, or at work," Rogers said, "will make a tremendous difference in how severe global warming will be, and on the kind of world we'll leave to our children and grandchildren."
He also pointed to the importance of voluntary efforts such as the state-sponsored Clean Energy Choice program. Under that program, residents and businesses have earned more than $45,000 in grant money for Andover, $30,000 of which is available to obtain solar electric panels for a public building in Andover. An additional $30,000 is available for the panels under the state's new Commonwealth Solar program.
The fourth and final lecture in this series at Andover houses of worship will be by Scott McClintock, director of sales at Nexamp, Inc. and an Andover resident. He will speak on March 31 at 7:30 p.m. at South Church on Central Street, about how solar technology can help lower electricity bills. A new citizens' group, the Andover Climate Team, will meet over an informal dinner at 6 p.m. prior to McClintock's talk at South Church to discuss additional actions needed to realize their goal of obtaining a solar panel for Andover, according to Bill Schroeder.
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