Energy Tools
There are a number of tools that can help you and your community save energy and money. Follow the links below to learn more about each one. We are always adding to this list, so please check back often.
NH Handbook on Energy Efficiency & Climate Change, Volume 1
This handbook gives NH citizens a brief introduction on how to help mitigate climate change at the local level covers topics such as local energy committee formation, potential committee projects, carbon emissions and energy benchmarking, and important contacts.
NH Handbook on Energy Efficiency & Climate Change, Volume 2
This handbook is the sequel to Volume 1 and provides a more in-depth look at understanding your municipal energy use, potential projects to implement, and financing options.
HB 189 Energy Commissions Fact Sheet
House Bill (HB) 189 was approved on July 29, 2009 to provide enabling legislation for municipalities to establish energy commissions and to define their purpose and duties. Many communities have been asking questions about HB189. In response, the Nashua Regional Planning Commission in partnership with the NH Local Energy Committee Working Group recently produced this fact sheet, designed to offer an overview of HB189.
Energy Project Connector
The Energy Project Connector is a web tool that makes starting a home energy project much easier. It searches all the federal, state, and utility incentives available to New Hampshire residents for a home energy job and then provides a list of all the contractors and energy auditors who can do that work in a given area. The reported information is specific to each user based on where they live and what kind of project they are interested in pursuing. This tool was developed in partnership with NH Sustainable Energy Association and University of NH Cooperative Extension.
EPA’s Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Manager is an interactive energy management tool that allows you to track and assess energy and water consumption across your entire portfolio of buildings in a secure online environment.
Small Town Carbon Calculator
Creating a greenhouse gas and energy inventory is easy with the STOCC calculator, which was developed to serve the needs of small towns. STOCC should be used in conjunction with Portfolio Manager.
EPA Home Energy Yardstick
Compare your household’s energy use to others across the country and get recommendations for improvements.
Commercial Lighting Solutions
The US Dept. of Energy created this interactive web tool to help commerical building owners improve lighting efficiency. It provides energy savings projections based on user input and selections. The tool can also be used to document performance against energy goals.
Small Wind Energy System Ordinance
In 2008 the NH Legislature passed HB310, which creates a framework for municipalities to regulate the construction of small-scale wind turbines. The law clarifies the obligation municipalities have to encourage renewable energy in a manner that protects public health, safety, and welfare. The Small Wind ordinance is flexible enough for municipalities to adjust the regulations and meet their individual goals. A technical bulletin and presentation are also available through the website above.
Epping Article 22—Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Design
The Town of Epping, NH was the first municipality in the state to pass a green building ordinance in 2007. The ordinance requires nonresidential development to be constructed in a manner that increases energy efficiency and utilizes renewable energy. The link above connects to the Clean Air-Cool Planet website, which features a substantial amount of supporting information for the ordinance.
Energy Efficient Development Ordinance
This ordinance provides model language for three approaches that communities may adopt depending on their availability of building inspection and code enforcement staff. These approaches include language for adoption into subdivision or site plan review regulations, the adoption of additional building codes that exceed state energy codes, and the adoption of a performance zoning ordinance encouraging voluntary implementation of energy efficient practices for new construction in exchange for incentives or bonuses. This ordinance was developed as part of the NH Dept. of Environmental Service’s Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques Handbook. An Energy Efficient Development Chapter is also available through the DES website above.
Preserving Dark Skies Ordinance
This is a model outdoor lighting ordinance for inclusion in the municipal zoning regulations of small or medium sized towns. Municipalities can adopt this ordinance as written or can supplement it with additional design standards in their site plan review regulations. The ordinance was developed as part of the NH Dept. of Environmental Service’s Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques Handbook. A Preserving Dark Skies Chapter is also available through the DES website above.
Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques
The Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques Handbook has model ordinances and related chapters for 23 techniques, including Energy Efficient Development and Preserving Dark Skies referenced above.
Sample Warrant Articles for Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemptions
Background ~ RSA 72:61-72 permits municipalities to offer Property Tax exemptions on solar, wind, and wood heating systems, including solar hot water, solar photovoltaic, wind turbines, and central wood heating systems (not stovetop or woodstoves). Communities may choose to pass each exemption separately. For example, in the Nashua Region, Amherst allows for a solar energy exemption but not wind or wood heating. Other communities in the region that have exemptions include Hollis (solar and wind), Mason (solar), Milford (solar), Mont Vernon (solar), Nashua (solar), and Pelham (solar, wind, and wood).
Procedures for Adopting Property Tax Exemptions
Municipalities with Exemptions
Writing an Energy Master Plan Presentation
This presentation was written by Eric Steltzer of the NH Office of Energy and Planning. Energy master plans are important because communities cannot adopt energy regulations without their master plan reflecting an energy conservation vision. This presentation highlights the various components and recommendations that might appear in an energy master plan as well as related resources.
Temple Draft Master Plan & Land Use Regulation Audit
Berlin Master Plan Energy Chapter
Community Energy Challenge Newsletter
This monthly update from the EPA’s Community Energy Challenge contains announcements, articles, events, funding opportunities, tips, tools, and trainings pertinent for New England communities promoting energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy.
Trainings sponsored by the Nashua Regional Planning Commission
NRPC periodically sponsors trainings and workshops, which are available free of charge to anyone interested in participating. Here you will find announcements on current trainings as well as a list of resources and materials from previous trainings, archived by topic.
Energy Star Trainings, ongoing
EPA offers web-based trainings on a variety of energy related topics, including Portfolio Manager.
Links
Nashua Regional Planning Commission
9 Executive Park Drive, Suite 201
Merrimack, NH 03054
Phone ~ 603.424.2240 | Fax ~ 603.424.2230