News and Announcements

MFEP is moving

MFEP will be moving our office to Greenfield, beginning June 7th. Please note our new mailing address.

Berkshire Pioneer RC&D
324 Wells Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
Phone:413.475.3349
Fax: 413.773.3562

 

Mass Clean Energy Center - New Programs
Woodstoves & Outdoor Boilers

 Commonwealth Wood Stove Change-Out Program

 MassCEC has launched the Commonwealth Wood Stove Change - Out Program.   The program offers vouchers of up to $2000 to help residents replace their wood stoves with specific types of EPA certified stoves.  This is a residential program . The program will begin accepting applications from  residents on January 18, 2013 and run until funds are depleted. The first block opened December 27, 2012 and closed in 12 days. Apply by mail or by visiting apply.masscec.com.
 
 Commonwealth Outdoor Hydronic Heater Change-Out Program
 
The MA Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER)  will distribute grants of up to $15,000 (but not to exceed 100% of the equipment and installation costs), to replace problematic and nuisance OHHs.
 Application Deadline: 3 PM, February 22, 2013. For more information, please refer to MassCEC website.  

Commonwealth Small Pellet Boiler Program

MassCEC and DOER will distribute $475,000 in the form of grants (maximum of $15,000) to install high-efficiency, low-particulate matter (PM) wood-pellet boilers or furnaces in homes or businesses. Applications are being accepted now. For eligibility and application materials, visit the program website. 
 
All programs are part of the wider Commonwealth Biomass and Heat Pump Pilot Program, which includes incentives toward pellet stoves, heat pumps and wood boiler replacements. To be notified of program updates, please contact MFEP at mfep@berkshirepioneerrcd.org.

Join us at the following event:

Energy Efficient Refrigeration & Cooling - Thursday, March 21, 6:00-8:30 pm
Clarkdale Fruit Farm, 303 Upper Road in Deerfield

Want to make your farm’s refrigeration more efficient? Planning to expand your cooling capacity for farm products? Join us for a tour of Clarkdale Fruit Farms’ retrofitted apple storage facility, followed by a discussion of energy efficiency strategies for farm refrigeration and facilities, public utility programs, and funding opportunities. Presenters  will discuss technology and equipment options, based on farmer experiences across the state.

Workshop fee is $10 and dinner will be served. Please RSVP by Monday, March 18th to kristen@buylocalfood.org or 665-7100, ext. 12
 

Funding Opportunity

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) are proud to announce the Commonwealth Biomass and Heat Pump Pilot Programs. The biomass program, which is currently under development, will provide financial support for the replacement of non-EPA certified wood or coal stoves and outdated hydronic heaters with high efficiency, low emission versions, and incentives for the installation of specific types of wood pellet boilers. The heat pump program will provide financial support for geothermal heat pump installations. MassCEC will make additional funding available for district heating projects using wood pellet or heat pump technologies at agricultural facilities.

Please visit www.masscec.com/renewable-thermal (site update coming soon) for more information and to sign up for program announcements. 
Or follow up with the MA Farm Energy Program for farm applications by emailing mfep@berkshirepioneerrcd.org or calling 413 256 1607.

For additional information about renewable heating click here.
 

Press Release:
New Massachusetts farm energy guides help farmers save energy and money
September 17, 2012

Workshop: Renewable Heating
Wednesday, September 19, 6-8:30pm

Presented by CISA and the MA Farm Energy Program
Red Fire Farm, 184 Meadow Road in Montague

Looking for ways to cut fossil fuel use and heat your farm buildings or greenhouses with renewable energy (solar, wood or geothermal)? Considering a new heating system for a packing shed, crop storage, or greenhouse?

Representatives from the MA Dept. of Ag., MA Farm Energy Program, and MA Clean Energy Center will discuss technology and equipment options, drawing from farmer experiences across the state.

We’ll also announce new funding programs to help you convert to renewable heating systems – and have a guided tour of Red Fire Farm’s heat pump set-up for renewable heating and cooling.

Suggested donation is $5 and light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by Monday, September 17th to Devon at 413-665-7100.
 


 "Feeding Ourselves, Fueling Ourselves", the 2010 New England Assoc. of RC&D Councils Conference was held October 28-30, 2010



 
 

Massachusetts Farm Energy Program