5-Step Energy Action Plan
for Cape & Islands Communities*

This action plan is targeted toward high-level municipal decision-makers. Adopting it will help your town reduce the effects of spiraling energy costs on its budgets and services. It also will help you qualify as a “Green Community” under pending state legislation while responding to climate change and other energy-related challenges. Take the steps outlined below and use the “Comments” feature to describe your experiences and learn about what others are doing.

1. Set energy and climate objectives. Adopt overarching goals and policies relating to efficiency, renewables, cost control, climate change, energy independence, and sustainable growth.
2. Get organized. Establish a committee or task force structure addressing efficiency and renewables across all fuel sectors, departments, and facilities, as well as energy use and climate adaptation at the municipal and community levels.
3. Start counting. Commit to the development of energy and emissions inventories both for municipal operations and on a community-wide basis.
4. Go green. Audit, upgrade, and re-commission municipal buildings; adopt sustainable design and green building practices for new facilities and renovations; harness and use renewable energy; apply green procurement practices for municipal operations; and facilitate local siting of clean energy projects.
5. Engage constituents. Encourage residents and businesses to support community action and to get energy audits, take advantage of available efficiency incentives, and employ savings for purchasing green power.

* This is only an initial, qualitative action plan. Later this year, a quantitative Cape & Islands Regional Energy Action Plan (REAP) for Communities is to be created consistent with the following long-term goals relating to energy independence, economic development, and climate change:

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

These regional goals were established by representatives from businesses, environmental advocacy groups, regional and state agencies, business associations, educational and research institutions, and nonprofits participating in a “Beyond Cape Wind” visioning session organized through the Cape & Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative. Click here for more information on REAP development and the “Beyond Cape Wind” stakeholder process.