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Cape Cape Energy Group To Unveil Regional Action Plan, Encourage Everyone to Go Green

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CIRenew honors local individuals, businesses, and organizations for leadership

The Cape and Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative (CIRenew) will unveil its Regional Energy Action Plan and recognize individuals and organizations that are going green at a press conference Tuesday, February 5 at 10 a.m. at the Hyannis Transportation Center.

The event will feature the release of CIGoGreen: A Call to Action & Report to the Community, which pursues ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy goals for the year 2020 established through a “Beyond Cape Wind” community planning process begun in 2005. The CIGoGreen report specifies 5-step action plans to help Cape & Islands residents and visitors, business and organizations, students and schools, agencies and officials, and communities lower their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. (Click here for action plans.)

In addition to releasing the CIGoGreen report, CIRenew will honor individuals and organizations that are taking action. This year’s honorees include all green power purchasers on the Cape, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket (individuals); New England Green Building Center and g Green Design Center (businesses); Cape Cod Community College (organization); Cape Cod Technical High School and Upper Cape Cod Technical High School (schools and students); Rep. Matt Patrick (elected official); the Vineyard Island Plan Energy & Solid Waste Work Group (group/agency); and the Town of Falmouth (community).

CIRenew, formerly known as CIREC, is a diverse collection of individuals and organizations with a common objective: To accelerate progress toward a sustainable energy future for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. Active participants include representatives from advocacy groups, businesses, educational and research institutions, and regional business associations, as well as local, regional, state, and federal agencies. CIRenew’s goals for 2020 include:

  • Generate sufficient renewable energy in the Cape & Islands region to meet 100% of net annual electricity needs by 2020
  • Reduce direct use of fossil fuel for heating and transport applications in the Cape & Islands region by 50% in 2020, relative to 2006 consumption

Full disclosure: I build cigogreen.org, and think they are an awesome group.