Chamber Recognized for Helping Members Save through Energy Efficiency

What gets a local chamber of commerce to be recognized by the Governor, invited to the State House—and, in perhaps the highest praise possible, be established as a leader among chamber colleagues?  

In the case of the Newton Needham Regional Chamber of Commerce, the answer has been one good idea that has helped approximately 375 member businesses receive more than $3 million in incentives for cost-saving energy efficiency upgrades.  

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to recognize the Newton Needham Regional Chamber for the leadership they have shown by encouraging local businesses take advantage of the Mass Save program," Rep. Ruth M Balser said this month at a State House event honoring the chamber. 

After recognizing the burden high-energy costs were having on its member companies, the chamber partnered with World Energy Efficiency Services, the City of Newton, and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy to launch the Newton Needham Business Energy $avers (NNBE$) program.  

The NNBE$ program connects local businesses to available energy saving programs and incentives offered through Mass Save which is run by the local utilities. (Businesses receive free energy audits, financing for upgrades, and rebates on recommended energy improvements.) It has already increased small and medium business participation by 30 percent.  

Also attending the event honoring the chamber were State Sens. Cynthia Stone Creem and Michael Rush, State Rep. Kay Khan, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, and Needham Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick. The chamber also received citations from all elected officials in Newton and Needham.  

In 2017, Gov. Charlie Baker also recognized the chamber, saying: “I applaud members of the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce for their participation in the Mass Save program, their collaboration with various stakeholders, and their commitment to producing important savings for local ratepayers.” 

And In March 2018, the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce—in partnership with the City of Gloucester, National Grid, and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy—became the second local chamber in MA to launch a program that increases the participation of member businesses in cost-saving energy efficiency measures. 

Read more in The Patch.

Visit the Newton Needham Chamber to learn more about the NNBE$ program  

Learn about the new Cape Ann program here.  

Pictured from left, Rep, Kay Khan (Newton), President of World Energy Rick Galipeau, VP of World Energy Mike Santangelo, Director at Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy Jessica Bergman, Sen. Mike Rush (Needham), Needham Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick, Chamber Environment Committee Chair Peter Smith, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, Chamber President Greg Reibman, Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem (Newton) and Rep. Ruth Balser (Newton).

New Initiative Helps Businesses with No-cost Energy Audits and Easy Access to Millions in Incentive Money

The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce -- in partnership with the City of Gloucester, National Grid, and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy -- launched a new energy-saving initiative last month; and several news outlets took notice.

Cape Ann Saves Energy (CASE) will help local businesses take advantage of free energy assessments performed by Energy Source, as well as incentives and financing for upgrades (for up to 70 percent) from the utility giant, National Grid.

"CASE is here to be a resource for local small business owners and help them take advantage of the great energy saving programs and rebates of National Grid," CEO Ken Riehl said.

"By cutting down on energy usage, local small businesses may see a reduction in their energy bills and reinvest their money into running a successful business," he added.  

The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is the second local chamber in MA to launch a program that increases the participation of member businesses in cost-saving energy efficiency measures.

The Newton-Needham Regional Chamber has helped more than 300 area businesses receive more than $3 million in incentives to fund energy-saving upgrades through their pioneering Newton Needham Business Energy $avers Program. It was recognized for its efforts by Gov. Baker in 2017 and will be by several policymakers at the Statehouse next month.

"When we read about Governor Baker's support of the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber Energy Program, we knew we had to take action," said Gregg Cademartori, Planning Director for the City of Gloucester. "So we partnered with the Chamber and contacted CICE that day," he added.

Read more about it in:

The Boston Globe

The Gloucester Times

The Manchester Cricket

Pictured above from left to right: Sal Di Stefano - Economic Development Director for the City of Gloucester, Peter Webber- Senior VP at the Chamber, Brendhan Zubricki - Essex Town Administrator, Rich Hanlon - COO for Energy Source, Jessica Bergman - Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, Eric Stallings - Manchester-by-the-Sea Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee, Patricia Slade - President of the Chamber Board, Tara Rowe - Energy Source, Sefatia Romeo Theken - Mayor of Gloucester, Kyle Blanchard - Energy Source , Ken Riehl - CEO Chamber , Alyssa Dupont - National Grid Small Business Manager and Jesse DeBenedictis - CASE Chamber Volunteer.

Newton-Needham Chamber Program Helps Businesses Receive More than $2.7 Million in Energy Incentives

Newton-Needham Regional Chamber Celebrates at Breakfast with Gov. Baker

The Newton-Needham Regional Chamber recently announced that almost 200 area businesses received more than $2.7 million in incentives to fund energy-saving upgrades in the first year of the chamber’s Business Energy $avers Program.

“Massachusetts leads the nation in delivering cost-effective energy efficiency to our residents and businesses,” said Governor Charlie Baker at a recent Chamber breakfast gathering. “I applaud members of the Newton- Needham Chamber of Commerce for their participation in the Mass Save program, their collaboration with various stakeholders, and their commitment to producing important savings for local ratepayers.”

After recognizing the burden high-energy costs were having on its member companies, the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber partnered with their local vendor World Energy Efficiency Services, the City of Newton, and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy to launch the Business Energy $avers program. Together, the team has connected 40% of member companies to the Mass Save program to help cut down on operating costs.

Through the Newton Needham Business Energy $aver program, eligible businesses receive free energy audits, financing for upgrades, and rebates on lighting, heating, cooling and other upgrades through the Mass Save program, which is run by the local utilities.

“Energy efficiency isn’t just good for our planet, it’s good for the bottom line”, said Chamber President Greg Reibman. “We’re committed to helping local businesses and non-profits find ways to reduce unnecessary energy use while saving money at the same time.”

If your chamber is interested in helping member companies participate in this money saving energy efficiency program, please contact Diane Doucette at ddoucette@sfchamber.com.

Thanks to Local Chamber, More than 140 New Businesses Join Mass Save Program

The Newton-Needham Regional Chamber joined the Worcester Regional Chamber in the media spotlight last month when they filmed a local TV segment about their Newton Needham Business Energy $avers (NNBE$) program.

The segment, which featured Peter Smith, the Chamber’s Environment Committee Co-chair and a local business leader, focused on the significant savings local businesses are seeing from the chamber’s energy efficiency initiative, which helps member businesses take advantage of utility efficiency programs. The NNBE$ team is comprised of chamber volunteers, city representatives, the energy vendor, and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy.

“Reducing our carbon footprint is not just good for our planet, it can be good for the bottom line,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman. “I’m proud of our businesses here for the way they’ve embraced this initiative.”

Here were some highlights:

• The NNBE$ program works through Mass Save to provide free energy assessments to local businesses.

• The utility will pay up to 70 percent of the cost of the energy upgrade and offers zero percent financing for two years.

• More than 140 local businesses have participated, with 40 already having taken advantage advantage of the financing options with no out-of-pocket costs.

In June, Tim Murray, the Worcester Regional Chamber CEO (and former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts) shined his spotlight on how the chamber’s 2,300 member businesses can save money with energy efficiency. Speaking on Charter TV3, Murray noted that energy costs are among the top three issues that member businesses care about in New England and encouraged them to invest in energy efficiency.

Watch the Newton-Needham Chamber spot here.

Watch the Worcester Chamber spot here.

GE’s $1B Energy Business Shares Limelight with Local Chamber

GE, which has been in the news for its imminent move to Boston, recently headlined the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber’s annual Green Business Breakfast that celebrates energy innovators.

The sold-out event featured Maryrose Sylvester, President and CEO of Current, powered by GE, a new $1 billion energy business built to transform the way we use energy.

Taking advantage of the ever-expanding Internet of Things, Current provides energy management software and a package of energy-related tools to businesses to offset overall power demands and costs.

“We hold this event annually to celebrate business that have taken extraordinary steps to reduce their carbon footprint, or introduced a green product or service,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman. “We hope the spotlight inspires others to follow suit.”

Trip Advisor, the travel website company based in Needham and Powerhouse Dynamics in Newton, received the Chamber’s top honors, with two other local businesses also taking home awards.

The Chamber also announced the Newton Business Energy Savers (NBE$), a partnership to help local businesses and nonprofits become more energy efficient. Funded by utility customers through Mass Saves, the program offers free energy assessments and incentive and financing options for energy upgrades for member companies.