Alliance to Save Energy Commends Energy-Efficiency Initiative By City of Cambridge, Kendall Foundation

Washington, D.C., March 29 – The Alliance to Save Energy applauds the $100 million+ energy-efficiency initiative announced today by the Henry P. Kendall Foundation and the city of Cambridge, Mass. When completed, this project is estimated to save 164 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually and reduce peak demand by 50 megawatts, or approximately 15 percent of the city’s current usage. The project also is expected to cut demand for natural gas, oil, water, and transportation fuels (gasoline and diesel).

Tag-lined Saving Money and the Planet, the program will be operated by the Cambridge Energy Alliance (CEA), a new nonprofit organization that was established to address dependence on foreign oil and other local and national energy problems, spur significant employment and economic growth, and reduce both fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Over the next five years, this public-private partnership will develop and implement energy-saving programs for municipal government, residents, businesses, schools, hospitals, biotech companies, and others. It will also promote use of combined heat and power (CHP) and demand-response resources.

“If more cities and states were to follow Cambridge’s lead and recognize the importance of energy efficiency, the country as a whole would reap tremendous economic, environmental, and energy security benefits,” said Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan.

“The Alliance to Save Energy lauds the City of Cambridge and the Henry P. Kendall Foundation for taking this critical step towards cutting peak demand by 15 percent, largely through energy-efficiency initiatives,” Callahan said. “We certainly agree with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick that the Cambridge initiative is a model for other cities, states, and the nation as a whole.”

The CEA is expected to be fully operational by next fall, following the appointment of a board of directors and establishment of a broadly-representative advisory board. CEA will seek the participation and collaboration of all energy users in the city.