Salem launches "green" program

The city of Salem said yesterday that it is partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency and KeySpan, the largest natural gas distributor in the Northeast,to improve energy efficiency of its public buildings.

Salem, according to a KeySpan press release, has signed onto the EPA's Community Energy Challenge and pledged to cut energy use in its municipal buildings by 10 percent in an attempt to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

“In Salem, we believe strongly that climate change is a pressing issue facing our society and affecting us at the local, regional, national and global levels,” said Mayor Kimberly Driscoll. “As a community, we are proud to take proactive steps to help combat climate change by focusing on improving energy efficiency in our own facilities and educating our residents about making wise energy decisions, including using higher efficiency appliances, windows and insulation, and choosing cleaner burning fuels.”

KeySpan and EPA will assist Salem's city government in examining the energy efficiency of the various public buildings and pinpoint areas in need of upgrades. KeySpan has also launched the "Be Green, Win Green" campaign in April that works with Massachusetts and New Hampshire towns and individuals to cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency by providing grants and other financial incentives.
(By Se Young Lee, Globe correspondent)