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Local Sustainable Organizations

Areas of work

Business & Banking Climate College Groups Community Energy Food Green Building & Weatherization Local Government Regional Efforts Transportation Uncategorized

Business & Banking

Business Alliance for a Local Living Economy (BALLE): Educating and encouraging Pioneer Valley citizens, community organizations, businesses and town governments to Think Local First. We are committed to finding ways to meet our community's energy, food, housing, transportation, and other needs in ways that are both environmentally and locally intelligent.
Common Good Bank: Designed expressly for economic justice, sustainability and strong local economies. Designed to be good for you, good for your business, good for the community and good for the world, so that we can all flourish, as communities, even in difficult economic times. See their video explaining how it works!

Climate

Amherst 350: A group of folks from the area of Amherst, Massachusetts who are committed to the goals of 350.org and to raise awareness about global warming.

College Groups

The Smith Environmental Coalition (Northampton): The Smith Environmental Coalition is a coalition of diverse groups from across campus who share a common interest in environmental sustainability. On board so far are Engineers for a Sustainable World, Hillel, The Bicycle Kitchen, The Agriculture Action Committee, and MassPIRG. The newly revived coalition will continue to expand and seek participation from all Smith College student organizations.

Mount Holyoke College's Environmental Action Coalition (South Hadley): Educate and engage the Mount Holyoke College community in ecological responsibility, which shall be both locally and globally focused.

MassPIRG (at many of the campuses)

Community
Five Rivers Council: Working to build a healthy, equitable, and sustainable community.

Energy

Center for Ecological Technology - CET (Northampton): Addressing how each of us can reduce climate change - from the sources of energy we use to the things we throw away to the way we build our homes to the way we live our day to day life - we all can make a difference. Our work focuses on energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste management and environmental education.
Coop Power: A regional network of local communities creating a multi-class, multi-racial movement for a sustainable and just energy future. Local organizing councils include Co-op Power Franklin County and Co-op Power Hampshire County.
Deerfield Energy Committee: The Deerfield Energy Resources Committee was established in 2005 to advise the Select Board on energy conservation we have since added to our mission, the promotion of energy conservation and reduction of CO2 by Deerfield residents. The Deerfield Select Board supported the Deerfield Energy Resources Committee’s effort to advocate for a science based national energy policy focused on lowering carbon levels to 350 ppm. Contact: M.A.Swedlund@pvclimate.org
Go Green Agawam Energy Committee (Agawam): We the third Wednesday of each month at the Agawam Library, 750 Cooper St. in Agawam. Contact Corinne corinnemarie@comcast.net
Greening Greenfield (Greenfield): Greening Greenfield is a collaborative effort of the citizen Greening Greenfield Energy Committee and the Town of Greenfield. We are using "greening" as the economic and inspirational engine to build a sustainable Greenfield so current and future generations can enjoy life in this beautiful abundant valley.
GREEN Northampton (Northampton): GREEN Northampton's mission is to foster Northampton's community bonds AND promote environmentally sustainable, low-energy and healthy lifestyles in response to climate change and resource depletion.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Reduce the waste stream to the Northampton landfill by 90% by 2012
2. Increase the energy efficiency of all buildings in Northampton by 30% by 2025
3. Reduce vehicle emissions by 80% by 2020
4. Increase consumption of locally produced food to 80% by 2020
5. Achieve carbon neutrality in Northampton by 2025
Heath Energy Committee (Heath): We are currently working with Siemens to explore the feasibility of entering into an Energy Saving Performance Contract. Contact: Bill Gran: whgran@gmail.com
North Quabbin Energy: North Quabbin Energy is an informal group of people in north-central Massachusetts who are concerned about issues relating to energy use. We seek to educate ourselves and our neighbors about the true social and environmental costs of our current energy consumption patterns. We also work to find ways of changing our individual and collective habits of energy use through conservation, use of renewable fuels, and support for local and regional enterprises that reduce our dependence on imported resources.
Northampton Energy & Sustainability Commission (Northampton): Mission: to assist and ensure that Northampton identify, develop, implement, and manage programs and policies that achieve high levels of energy efficiency and energy resource sustainability and guard against effects of energy resource disruption/depletion and climate change in all of Northampton’s public and private sectors consistent with the goals of the Sustainable Northampton plan, the City’s climate change protection commitments, and other City plans/goals. We meet the fourth Thursday of each month unless otherwise posted.
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (Greenfield): The nation's leading regional membership organization promoting sustainable energy solutions. NESEA has supported and inspired a growing network of professionals and sustainable energy advocates committed to responsible energy use. NESEA is committed to advancing three core elements: sustainable solutions, proven results and cutting-edge development in the field.

Pelham Energy Usage and Resource committee (PEUR) (Pelham): Our six members have varying expertise is energy usage, design and construction, and conservation programs. We meet once a month and outline various problems and options available for the town, so that future energy consumption can be met with a cost effeicient, and climate wise solution to our needs. Contact Jim: townofpelham@comcast.net
Whately Enegy Committee (Whately): We have assisted in obtaining audits of town buildings, particularly our largest user, the elementary school. Whately is participating in the aggregated town ESCO project which FRCOG organized, and we have high hopes for this approach to actually reduce town energy operating costs. In addition we have had tables at town events to alert residents to energy incentives and options (and have info on the town website).Contact Lynn lynn@wintergreengroup.com

Worthington Sustainability Committee (Worthingon): We are working on a number of sustainability issues out here in the hilltowns. Contact Carole carolefisher@yahoo.com

Food

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture CISA (South Deerfield): CISA links farmers and communities to strengthen agriculture and enhance the economy, rural character, environmental quality, and social well-being of western Massachusetts.

Nuestras Raíces (Holyoke): A grass-roots organization that promotes economic, human and community development in Holyoke, Massachusetts through projects relating to food, agriculture and the environment.

Green Building & Weatherization

Western Massachusetts Electric Company (Energy Efficiency Programs): Making your home energy-efficient helps protect the environment, reduce pollutants, save energy and puts money back in your pocket – all without sacrificing your comfort. Together, we can identify home improvements you can make and we can even offer financial help to make your energy-wise choices happen.

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (Greenfield): The nation's leading regional membership organization promoting sustainable energy solutions. NESEA has supported and inspired a growing network of professionals and sustainable energy advocates committed to responsible energy use. NESEA is committed to advancing three core elements: sustainable solutions, proven results and cutting-edge development in the field

Local Government

Amherst Energy Conservation & Climate Protection (Amherst): Meets on a monthly basis to discuss and develop the Town of Amherst's Climate Action Plan; create policies and local solutions in addressing global climate change, energy conservation and sustainability; and monitor continued progress.
Greening Greenfield: Greening Greenfield is a collaborative effort of the citizen Greening Greenfield Energy Committee and the Town of Greenfield. We are using "greening" as the economic and inspirational engine to build a sustainable Greenfield so current and future generations can enjoy life in this beautiful abundant valley.
Northampton Energy & Sustainability Commission (Northampton): Mission: to assist and ensure that Northampton identify, develop, implement, and manage programs and policies that achieve high levels of energy efficiency and energy resource sustainability and guard against effects of energy resource disruption/depletion and climate change in all of Northampton’s public and private sectors consistent with the goals of the Sustainable Northampton plan, the City’s climate change protection commitments, and other City plans/goals. We meet the fourth Thursday of each month unless otherwise posted.

Sunderland Energy Committee (Sunderland): We work on ways to conserve energy, switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy resources, and prepare for a future that relies less on oil, coal, and gas. We meet once a month at the Sunderland Library.

If your town isn’t listed, help get your town involved at Local governments for Sustainability

Regional Efforts
350.org: This number is the safe line for our global climate and start line for a global movement. The most recent science tells us that unless we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million, we will cause huge and irreversible damage to the earth. Join 350.org to take action in your community, engage our world leaders, and build an international movement to solve the energy crisis.

Massachusetts Climate Action Network (Cool Mass Campaign): A coalition of locally organized groups fighting the climate crisis. We do this by promoting carbon-reducing practices in our homes and communities; supporting MCAN chapters and allied organizations to grow a focused statewide movement; and communicating policy to members and leveraging our collective voice at the state level.

Pioneer Valley Planning Commission: We are a coalition of local governments in Hampshire and Hampden counties

Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network (W. Springfield): A broad-based Network that builds mutually beneficial partnerships to promote a sustainable, just, regenerative future for our region.

Transportation

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: The largest regional transit authority in Massachusetts with 177 buses, 175 vans and 24 participating member communities (Agawam, Amherst, Belchertown, Chicopee, Easthampton, East Longmeadow, Granby, Hadley, Hampden, Holyoke, Leverett, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Northampton, Palmer, Pelham, South Hadley, Springfield, Sunderland, Ware, Westfield, West Springfield, Wilbraham, Williamsburg).

Franklin Regional Transit Authority: Public transportation throughout Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties.

Zipcar (Amherst and Northampton): Car sharing from $7 per hour.

Ridebuzz: Ridesharing and carpooling program.

Mass Rides: Ride matching service.

Mass Bike Pioneer Valley: Promoting the bicycle as a safe, healthful, enjoyable, efficient, and environmentally sound means of transportation for the Pioneer Valley.

GreaseCar Vegetable Fuel (Holyoke): Fuel modification system that allows diesel vehicles to run on straight vegetable oil.

Uncategorized

Clean Water Action (Northampton): Working to empower people to take action to protect America's waters, build healthy communities and to make democracy work for all of us.
Massage in the Northampton area (Florence): Providing a relaxing and therapeutic experience using an integration of Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, & Reiki.

Coordinating grassroots lobbying efforts for a science-based climate policy

Local Sustainable Organizations