CDM and the Cambridge Energy Alliance (CEA) have formed the first-of-its-kind partnership to evaluate energy and water efficiency at One Cambridge Place, CDM’s
world headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This large-scale energy and resource conservation project for CDM represents an innovative, community-based approach to making energy efficiency a reality for residents and businesses.
The project team includes ConEdison Solutions, an energy service company, which is conducting a comprehensive energy efficiency audit of the 180,000 square feet that CDM leases at One Cambridge Place. The audit will create an accurate energy model of the building; identify electric, gas, oil, and water efficiency opportunities; and optimize building functions. Proposed infrastructure investments could yield more than $100,000 per year in energy, water, and operational savings—as much as 16 percent of CDM’s projected 2009 energy and water/sewer costs.
Tom Pedersen, CDM director of sustainability, states, “This effort is an integral part of our corporate-wide sustainability performance improvement program and further demonstrates CDM’s commitment to develop lasting solutions for our clients, communities, operations, and people that meet current needs while preserving resources for future generations.” CDM is one of the city’s top 20 employers with 683
employees at One Cambridge Place.
“We’re excited to be the first major business in Cambridge to be collaborating with CEA and ConEdison Solutions on this pioneering partnership in energy and water efficiency,” says Robert Cabral, CDM vice president, facilities. “Proposed savings would not only cover the cost of doing this study and the implementation of recommended measures, but significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and
pay back the investment within 6 to 8 years.”The audit will be complete by the end of 2009 with the installation of improvements slated for early 2010.
ConEdison Solutions will supervise the installation of energy efficiency measures and ensure that the expected savings materialize. Measures being considered include improved heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls; energy-efficient lighting, refrigerators, and ice machines; as well as enhanced facility management processes, procedures, and policies.
CEA, the result of a first-in-the-nation collaboration between the city of Cambridge and major foundations, is a non-profit organization that is facilitating increased sustainability through large-scale implementation. “CEA aggregates all aspects of energy and water efficiency—from energy service providers, government rebates, and financing to renewable energy and demand reductions and community education and outreach—into one effort,” explains Deborah Donovan, CEA executive director. “The inclusive program allows businesses, residents, and institutions across Cambridge to save energy and money, and dramatically reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. We’re grateful for the city’s forward-thinking support for CEA and to CDM for putting this project on the map by becoming the city’s first major participant.”
“This is an exciting development for CEA and the city,” says Robert W. Healy, Cambridge city manager. “When the city co-sponsored the creation of CEA, we aimed to spur energy efficiency and clean energy improvements in the commercial building sector because that is where most of the energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are occurring. I congratulate CDM for stepping up to the plate and leading the way for our businesses. We hope many others will follow their example.”
MetLife, the owner of One Cambridge Place, is working to obtain U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Existing Building certification and an Energy Star™ rating for the property.
The Cambridge Energy Alliance is debuting a poster art exhibit to inform the public about climate change and its impacts, the carbon emissions of Cambridge, and how local citizens can make a difference. Over 80% of Cambridge’s carbon emissions come from energy use in residential and commercial buildings, so eliminating wasted energy in our homes and workplaces is a priority.
The Cambridge Energy Alliance art exhibit displays many ways people can conserve energy and get connected to efficiency programs and resources. The Exhibit will be on display from Wednesday, February 16th, 2010 through March 20th, 2010 at the Clear Conscience Café located at 581 Massachusetts Ave in Cambridge, MA.
Following the 4-week showing at the Clear Conscious Café, the CEA art exhibit will be rotated to other locations throughout Cambridge. The 2’ X 3’ color series include 12 posters with educational and pointed messages about what citizens can do to decrease their environmental footprints.
Sample images from the CEA Art Poster Exhibit
For larger samples of all the slides visit:
http://cambridgeenergyalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/posters.pdf
Sunday- Community members traveled door to door in the Riverside neighborhood of Cambridge distributing free energy efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and efficiency resources to hundreds of homes. This community event, organized by the Cambridge Energy Alliance (CEA) and the Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET), was held in order to help residents lower their home energy consumption and cut carbon emissions in Cambridge. Jason Taylor, a HEET Team leader, enthusiastically remarked, "Changing light bulbs will put money in your pocket. And it helps the Earth." The Riverside light bulb exchange is part of a broader effort by HEET to help Cambridge residents lower their carbon footprint by implementing efficiency measures in homes with support from volunteers.
Twenty-four volunteers met traveled on foot door-to-door in the Riverside neighborhood, exchanging CFL bulbs for incandescent bulbs. The CFL bulbs were generously donated by TCP, Inc., and Metro Pedal Power provided the carbon-free delivery for the CFLs to the Cambridge Community Center—making it a carbon free event. Four hundred and forty-two CFL bulbs were exchanged today, saving 132,000 pounds of CO2 emissions from being emitted per year. If a resident were to exchange 20 light bulbs in their home it would save approximately $1200 dollars over the life span of the bulbs. The exchange will help Riverside residents decrease their energy consumption, combat climate change, and also save money on their energy bills. After the canvass, a community party was held at the Cambridge Community Center to celebrate the volunteers’ outreach efforts. Lilah Glick, Community Outreach Manager for the Cambridge Energy Alliance considers the event to be a great success and shared, “this demonstrates how a small group of committed individuals can make a real difference in their community and lead the way for a more sustainable, healthy future”. The Riverside light bulb exchange is a continuation of CEA’s summer canvass program, connecting Cambridge residents to efficiency programs and services to help them save money and save the planet. Ms. Glick views changing out light bulbs as a great first step toward reducing energy use and recommends Cambridge residents get connected to CEA’s energy audit programs and services to help identify deeper savings opportunities that create more sustainable, healthier, and comfortable homes.”
