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Tools for Managing the Transition
This section provides data,
information, resources, and tools that may be used to transition
from the fossil-fueled Energy Present to a clean and green Energy
Future.
In 2006, Cape & Islands residents, visitors, and consumers
have the opportunity to accelerate the local transition to cleaner
and green energy sources. Consider the following energy-related
decisions to be made in the months to come:
- Light bulbs will be replaced. Vehicles, appliances,
and equipment will be purchased.
- Homes and other buildings will be constructed and remodeled.
- Local, regional, state, and federal officials will be
elected and appointed.
- Municipal and private wind energy projects will proceed,
remain under regulatory review and public scrutiny, or be
abandoned. New renewable energy projects will be proposed.
- Power supply decisions will be made.Green power purchases
will be considered. Competitive power supply contracts will
be pursued.
- Energy, electricity, air and water quality, climate,
and other standards and policies will be adopted. Local
and regional policies for renewable energy and economic
development will be advanced and implemented.
Homeowners, voters, officials, towns, businesses, organizations,
and agencies can make better decisions by accounting for the
tradeoffs - the risks and rewards - associated with present and
future energy supply and use options. These tradeoffs may be
generally summarized as follows:
- Risks: Cape & Islands communities are
uniquely vulnerable to adverse impacts - and growing threats - associated
with continued regional, national, and global dependence
on fossil fuels. (See The Energy
Present for more detail.)
- Rewards: Cape & Islands communities
are uniquely situated to realize benefits by using energy
more wisely and by harnessing natural energy flows to improve
local economic, environmental, and social conditions. (See
The Energy Future for more
detail.)
Click on the links below to access content designed to inform
individual and community decision-making processes and local
and regional planning processes.
- Community Snapshots:
data and information on the energy situation in communities
on Cape Cod, Martha'sVineyard, and Nantucket
- Practical
Tips for Reducing Energy Costs: tips for reducing both
the out-of-pocket costs and "true costs" of energy supply
and use
- Civic Participation
Guide: information for encouraging civic participation
in energy-related decision-making processes
- Cleaner/Green
Options & Activities: data and information characterizing
the wealth of cleaner and green energy options available
in the Cape & Islands region, identifying present-day technology
installations and programs, and describing wind energy and
other projects being pursued in local communities
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Coordinated Community Planning: a framework for organizing
information, tools, resources, and processes to support
comprehensive and coordinated local and regional planning
relating to energy supply and use in Cape & Islands communities
- Information
Resources and Links: access to information and resources
for improving understanding of energy issues and concepts
and for contacting energy-related businesses, institutions,
agencies, and other organizations.
Last updated 02.08.05
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