Community Snapshot: Barnstable
Note: This is a prototype "Community Snapshot"
for the town of Barnstable. It is being created based on data and
information collected from a variety of sources, including members
of the town's Green Team. Though not yet complete, it illustrates
the energy-related data and information that might be communicated
for other towns.
As the largest town in the Cape & Islands region, Barnstable
consumes more energy than any other. It has launched several major
initiatives that promise to reduce taxpayer dollars spent on electricity
and fuels and to minimize the harmful emissions and other indirect
costs associated with municipal and local energy supply and use:
- The town joined the Cities for Climate Protection™
Campaign and has inventoried municipal and community energy consumption,
as well as emissions of greenhouse gases.
- A Green Team is coordinating town-wide efforts to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and achieve other environmental and economic goals.
- The development potential of wind and other energy resources
is being explored on town-owned properties.
- Sustainable design practices and cleaner and green technologies
are being integrated within all repair, retrofit, renovation,
and construction projects managed by the Department of Public
Works.
- An advanced all-electric car is being used by town employees,
and cleaner and green transportation options—including hybrid,
compressed natural gas, and biodiesel vehicles—are being
evaluated for municipal uses.
Town employees drive this
Generation II EV1, on loan
from General Motors, to perform municipal functions
while reducing consumption of fossil fuels and
emissions of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases.
|
Private sector, institutional, and community-based projects to
use cleaner and green energy sources are also under way.
Prominent examples include the multifaceted activities of Cape
Cod Community College (CCCC), as well as the Cape Wind project proposed
for Nantucket Sound. At the CCCC campus in West Barnstable, a fuel
cell has been supplying both electricity and heat for several years,
a wind turbine installation is planned, and the new applied technology
center is being constructed using sustainable design and green building
practices.
Click on the links below for detailed data and information on the
current energy situation in the community of Barnstable:
Energy Supply & Use
Energy is supplied to and used in Barnstable in numerous ways, with
significant economic, environmental, and social implications. Click
on the links below for more information:
Electricity
NStar provides power delivery services to all Barnstable
electricity consumers. On the physical path, almost 100% of the
electricity consumed within the town's borders is produced by Mirant’s
Canal plant in Sandwich. On the contract path, the town of Barnstable
and most local consumers purchase power under the municipal aggregation
program run by the Cape Light Compact. Others buy electricity from
NStar or competitive suppliers. (See The
Energy Present: Electricity for more detail on power delivery
and supply issues.)
Data on the local customer base, consumption by class, and municipal
use enable trending analyses relating to electrification and energy
efficiency. Data and information on power sources enable analysis
of fuel diversity, environmental quality, public health, climate
change, and sustainability issues.
Barnstable's Customer Base and Usage Patterns
NStar data from 2000 for Barnstable are summarized
below:
- 30,041 total accounts
- 381,707,307 MWh total use
- 25,075 total residential accounts, including 4,759 on low-income
rate programs and 19,690 on electric heating
- 173,462,359 MWh total residential use, including 30,012,306
MWh for electric heating accounts
- 4,967 total commercial/industrial accounts, including 558 for
streetlights and only 2 for large consumers
- 208,244,948 MWh total commercial/industrial use, including 2,260,673
MWh for streetlight accounts
Data to come: 2001-2004
Municipal Uses
In Barnstable, water supply infrastructure is owned
and operated by independent fire districts and private companies;
the fire districts also manage streetlights. Accordingly, major
municipal loads may be broken down into four categories:
- Schools: elementary, middle, and high school buildings
- Other Buildings: town hall, other administrative buildings,
police station, airport, recreational facilities, libraries, etc.
- Wastewater Collection & Treatment Facilities: Hyannis
Water Pollution Control Facility, pumping stations, etc.
- Outdoor Lighting: traffic and parking lot lighting
Data to come: municipal uses
Barnstable's Power Sources
The Canal power plant in Sandwich generates almost
all of the electricity consumed in Barnstable. It burns imported
fuel oil to generate most of its power and imported natural gas
only as required to reduce pollutant emissions below regulatory
standards. Other electricity generation systems sited in Barnstable
include the fuel cell at Cape Cod Community College, backup diesel
generators in various locations, and some xx
solar photovoltaic systems.
The town of Barnstable and most local residents and businesses
buy power under an agreement negotiated by the Cape Light Compact
on behalf of consumers throughout Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard.
The agreement was negotiated with ConEdison Solutions, a competitive
supplier. The Compact-ConEdison Solutions supply mix is categorized
as "system power," which means that it is purchased through
electricity markets rather than directly from power plants or other
generating facilities located in New England or in neighboring areas
of New York, Quebec, and New Brunswick.
"System power" is derived from both imported and domestic
fuels, some of which are renewable (but not necessarily benign).
According to the energy disclosure label prepared by ConEdison Solutions,
the power supply mix for most Barnstable consumers is characterized
as follows:
- 30.5% natural gas
- 26.6% nuclear
- 11.9% coal
- 11.4% oil/gas and coal/oil
- 5.8% hydro (impoundment, pumped storage, and run of river)
- 5.6% oil
- 4.8% bioenergy (municipal solid waste and mixed wood/MSW)
The remaining 3.4% cannot be attributed to individual fuel sources.
At least 59.4% of the power being purchased by Barnstable consumers
arises from power plants fired by fossil fuels.
In April 2005, xxx consumers in the
town of Barnstable began purchasing Compact Green products, offsetting
either 50 or 100% of their reliance on the dirty "system power"
mix
Fuels
Fuels for heating, transportation, electricity generation, and other
uses in Barnstable arise from a variety of off-Cape sources, and
they arrive in the Cape & Islands region via pipeline, barge,
tanker, or truck. Data on fuel sources, consumption, and municipal
use enable trending analyses, as well as examination of adverse
impacts.
Barnstable's Heating Fuel Use
- Natural Gas: Keyspan – number
of consumers, sources of fuel, and total consumption
- Fuel Oil: Dealers – number
of consumers, sources of fuel, and total consumption
- Additional Fuels: Dealers – number
of consumers, sources of fuel, and total consumption
Municipal Heating Fuel Use -
data to come
Barnstable's Transportation Fuel Use
- Gasoline – number
of consumers, sources of fuel, and total consumption
- Diesel – number of consumers,
sources of fuel, and total consumption
- Biodiesel – number of
consumers, sources of fuel, and total consumption
- Additional Fuels – number
of consumers, sources of fuel, and total consumption
Municipal Transportation Fuel Use -
data to come
Costs
Energy commodities generally cost more in Barnstable and other Cape
& Islands communities than elsewhere in New England. Cost data
enable trending analyses of energy’s influence on municipal
budgets, capital flight, business competitiveness, and cost of living.
Cost savings realized by Barnstable consumers participating in the
Cape Light Compact’s aggregation and competitive power purchase
programs also are detailed below.
Barnstable's Electricity Supply & Delivery Costs
- total expenditures on electricity via NStar
and Cape Light Compact
Barnstable's Fuel Supply Costs - estimated
expenditures on heating, transportation, and other fuels
Municipal Energy Costs - total
expenditures on electricity and fuels
Savings from CLC-Mirant Competitive Supply Agreement
(See 2003 Report
of the Cape Light Compact: Town of Barnstable Activities)
- Savings for Local Consumers: About 6,974 metered electric customers,
formerly on NStar default service, saved approximately $206,690
in 2003
- 2004
Efficiency
Efficiency data highlight progress toward a more efficient and cleaner
local energy economy, and they enable analyses of returns on ratepayer
investments. Various programs designed to moderate electricity and
fuel consumption are offered to Barnstable consumers.
Cape Light Compact Efficiency Program
The Compact offers a full range of energy
efficiency programs and services for residential, commercial, and
industrial consumers. Its website provides access to monthly and
year-to-date data, by customer class and by efficiency program,
on local participants, efficiency investments, annual kilowatt-hour
savings, and budgets. Annual data for 2003 are provided below (see
2003 Report of
the Cape Light Compact: Town of Barnstable Activities):
- Local rebates and other regional investments returned $624,894
in ratepayer funds to the town's consumers
- 1,465 participants saved $246,734 on efficiency improvements
and avoided consumption of 1,762 MWh
- Emissions offsets associated with efficiency
gains
- 2004 data
Keyspan/Oil Efficiency &
Incentive Efforts
Municipal Efficiency Programs
& Initiatives
Emissions & Other Adverse Impacts
Economic, environmental, and social impacts arising from the current
energy situation in Barnstable and elsewhere are detailed below,
some quantitatively and others qualitatively.
Air Emissions
Fossl fuel consumption by the town—and within
the town's borders, neighboring communities, and upwind regions—results
in the release of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases to the
atmosphere.Vehicles, chimneys, smokestacks, and other sources all
contribute to air emissions. Adverse impacts include the following:
- Air Quality: Adverse effects include smog and haze, which
degrade vistas and contribute to public health problems.
- Water Quality: Surface deposition of airborne pollutants
contributes to nutrient loading problems in local ponds and embayments,
and it can introduce mercury and other toxic chemicals into local
waters and aquatic food chains.
- Public Health: Primary health effects result from exposure
to and inhalation of air pollutants, as well as ingestion of fish
contaminated by mercury.
- Aesthetics: Air and water pollution have adverse effects
on how residents and visitors experience local environments.When
airborne pollutants fall as acid rain, they can accelerate the
aging of statues and historic buildings.
- Climate Change: Atmospheric accumulations of these heat-trapping
substances are changing global climate, with possible local impacts
including increases in the frequency and severity of storms, inundation
of low-lying areas and infiltration of aquifers due to sea-level
rise, ...
- Habitat & Wildlife:
Pollutant emissions associated with Barnstable
electricity consumption
- Physical path - output-based emissions
rate from Canal plant
- Contract path - marginal emissions rate
from NE-ISO
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with
Barnstable's energy consumption
- Total emissions from greenhouse gas inventory
Discharges & Spills
Fossil fuel spills can spoil local environments, kill
wildlife, and contaminate drinking water supplies.
- Water Quantity & Quality
- Ecology/Aesthetics
- Public Health (groundwater contamination)
Economic Development & Cost of Living
Money spent on energy within Barnstable's borders
...
- Capital Flight
- Resource Allocation
Fuel Security
Reliance on fossil fuels...
- Price Volatility
- Service Vulnerability
National Security
Reliance on fossil fuels...
- International Engagement
- Homeland Defense
Decision-Makers
Many officials, agencies, and representatives of the Town of Barnstable
have energy-related roles and responsibilities. Click on the links
below for more information:
Town Officials & Agencies
Town Manager
This appointed official is responsible for developing all capital
and operating budgets and for overseeing all properties and capital
facilities.
Town Council
These elected officials provide policy direction to the town manager
and town departments and approves the budget:
- Precinct 1: Ann B. Canedy, Cummaquid, 508.362.4561, acanedy@comcast.net
- Precinct 2: Tom Rugo, Hyannis, 508.775.1171, council@town.barnstable.ma.us
- Precinct 3: James F. Munafo, Jr., Hyannis, 508.862.4901, council@town.barnstable.ma.us
- Precinct 4: Royden C. Richardson, Centerville, 508.771.0650,
royden@capecod.net
- Precinct 5: James H. Crocker, Jr., Osterville, 508.862.4602,
council@town.barnstable.ma.us
- Precinct 6: Janet Joakim, Centerville, 508.420.2153, janetjoakim@aol.com
- Precinct 7: Richard G. Barry, Cotuit, 508.420.0771, council@town.barnstable.ma.us
- Precinct 8: Harold E. Tobey, Hyannis, 508.862.4602, htexprez65@yahoo.com
- Precinct 9: Gary R. Brown, Hyannis, 774.487.7174, bass@cape.com
- Precinct 10: Janice L. Barton, Marstons Mills, 508.862.4604,
jlbartonletters@aol.com
- Precinct 11: Henry C. Farnham, West Barnstable, 508.420.2041,
cobra8@comcast.net
- Precinct 12: Leah C. Curtis, Hyannis, 508.420.9868, council@town.barnstable.ma.us
- Precinct 13: J. Gregory Milne, West Hyannisport, 774.836.0960,
harborhideaway@capecodmail.com
Green Team
This group of town officials is responsible for creating an action
plan to achieve a 20% reduction in municipal and community greenhouse
gas emissions over the period from 2003-2013.
Barnstable's Green Team is a unique entity in the Cape & Islands
region. Other towns have energy committees, but no other town has
an interdepartmental group with specific responsibility for implementing
municipal conservation programs, buying efficient technologies,
harnessing renewable resources, demonstrating advanced systems,
managing high-performance buildings, and otherwise accelerating
progress toward a sustainable energy future. All municipal employees
are encouraged to participate in and contribute to Green Team activities.
This multidisciplinary approach is making both economic and environmental
sense.In the last couple years, Barnstable's Green Team has helped
the town save thousands of dollars in energy costs while reducing
its emissions of air pollution and greenhouse gases. It includes
representatives from the town manager's office, the town council,
and the procurement, public works, conservation, and other departments.
For more information on the Green Team's objectives, activities,
and accomplishments, visit the town's website or contact
Departments, Divisions, and Facilities
Because almost every aspect of municipal operations
and daily life is affected by energy supply and use, numerous elements
of town government help define Barnstable's energy present and will
help shape Barnstable energy future. A few examples are highlighted
below:
- Building: responsible for issuing building, plumbing/gas,
and electrical permits; enforcing building codes; and inspecting
certain buildings (Thomas Perry, 508.862.4038)
- Public Works: responsible for maintaining all town buildings,
wastewater collection and treatment system, and transfer station
(Mark Ells, Director, 508.862.4090)
- Property Management and Procurement: assists all town
departments and schools with purchasing and contracting functions,
including purchases of electricity, fuels, energy services, vehicles
(David Anthony, Chief Procurement Officer, 508.862.4652, david.anthony@town.barnstable.ma.us)
- Planning, Zoning, and Historic Preservation: responsible
for implementation of Local Comprehensive Plan and Transportation
Plan and provides input to Nitrate Management Plan (Tom Broadrick,
Director, 508.862.4786)
- Public Health:
- Other Relevant Departments and Divisions: Regulatory
Services, Conservation, Finance, Community & Economic Development
- Other Major Energy-Using Facilities: Schools, Municipal
Airport, etc.
- Relevant Boards & Committees: Airport Commission,
Conservation Commission, Department of Public Works Commission,
Economic Development Commission, Board of Health, Housing Committee,
Planning Board, Shellfish Committee, Water Pollution Control Committee,
Water Quality Advisory Committee
Representatives to Regional Authorities
In Barnstable County's government structure, both appointed and
elected officials from the town of Barnstable have influence over
energy-related decisions affecting the entire region. Key county
officials representing Barnstable are identified below:
Cape Light Compact
The Compact is an intergovernmental agency formed
to represent the interests of local consumers in the deregulated
electricity marketplace. It bands together the towns on Cape Cod
and Martha's Vineyard, as well as Barnstable County and Dukes County.
Each entity is represented on the Compact Governing Board by an
appointed official, although state legislation proposed in 2005
would transform the Governing Board into an elected body. The Governing
Board makes policy and program decisions relating to consumer aggregation,
energy efficiency, power supply purchasing, renewable energy development,
and other topics.
The town of Barnstable is represented on the Compact Governing
Board by the following officials:
- Audrey Loughnane, former Barnstable Town Councilor,
508.362.2082
- Bud Breault, Barnstable Department of Public Works
Cape Cod Commission
The Commission is a regional planning and regulatory agency
that makes energy-related planning and policy decisions and reviews
developments of regional impact (DRIs). These decisions are made
by a board of appointed officials, including one from each town
on Cape Cod.
Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates
The Assembly is the legislative branch of Barnstable County's government
structure. An elected official represents Barnstable's interests
in the Assembly:
Renewable Resources
Like other communities in the Cape & Islands region, the Town
of Barnstable has an abundance of renewable resources. Click on
the links below for more information:
Wind Energy
Wind resources within Barnstable and off of its shores have been
characterized in detail by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
(MTC). All of these maps are derived from work conducted by TrueWind
Solutions and AWS Scientific and funded by MTC, the Connecticut
Clean Energy Fund, and the Northeast Utilities Service Company.
The MTC
Community Wind Atlas depicts average wind speeds, open space
areas, and other landscape features for every town in Massachusetts.
Its maps facilitate initial analysis of wind project siting possibilities
in Barnstable. Local maps are provided below:
MTC has also produced maps of onshore and offshore wind resources,
transmission lines, ocean depth, and other features for the Cape
& Islands region, the state, and New England:
Site-specific data on wind speeds and other relevant parameters
have been collected at Cape Cod Community College.
Solar Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy
Laboratory (NREL) maintains a wealth of information to facilitate
the analysis of solar energy resource potential at specific sites
within Barnstable.
Ocean Energy
Emerging technologies may transform tidal flows, ocean currents,
and waves in and around Barnstable into commercially viable energy
resources. Limited information is available on these resources:
- Wave energy: An initial assessment of wave energy resources
in southern New England has been completed in work funded by the
MTC and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund:
- Tidal energy
- Ocean current energy
Bioenergy
Local communities and environments produce a diverse array of materials
and substances that represent potential energy resources. In Barnstable,
municipal solid waste (MSW) is the primary resource being managed
for its energy content, albeit inadvertently—when local landfills
closed due concerns about groundwater contamination, the most cost-effective
disposal option was to ship MSW over the bridge to the SEMASS plant
in Rochester. At this facility, MSW is burned to generate electricity.
The following bioenergy resources exist within the town of Barnstable:
- MSW
- Wood and other biomass
- Landfill gas
- Digester gas
- Biofuels
Policies
Various town plans, policies, and regulations address energy supply
and use issues, but Barnstable’s commitment to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions represents its most notable energy policy. Regional,
state, national, and global policies and plans also influence the
local situation. Examples are listed below:
- Barnstable Climate Policy
- Barnstable Local Comprehensive Plan
- Barnstable Codes and By-Laws
- Barnstable County Regional Policy Plan
- Massachusetts Electric Restructuring Act
- Massachusetts Air Emissions Standards
- Massachusetts Climate Protection Plan
- New England/Maritimes Climate Action Plan and Regional
Greenhouse Gas Initiative
- U.S. Clean Air Act
- Kyoto Protocol
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Cleaner & Green Projects
Community initiatives, technology installations, project proposals,
and other activities relating to cleaner and green energy options
are under way in the town of Barnstable:
- Municipal Efficiency Initiatives
- Municipal Wind Project
- PV Installations
- Green Homes & Buildings
- CCCC Fuel Cell Project
- CCCC Applied Technology Center
- CCCC Wind Turbine Project
Updated 02.20.05
