Category: Resource Links

Pioneer Valley Aquatic Club — a competitive swimming club

Pioneer Valley Hiking Club — “The club’s primary goal is to provide hikes for people who enjoy the outdoors while practicing minimum impact guidelines, conservation and land stewardship.”

Massachusetts Rural Development Council – “The Massachusetts Rural Development Council, Inc., (MRDC) a not for profit corporation, serves as a partnership between the national government, Massachusetts state government, municipalities, private for-profit and private not-for-profit sectors to provide development opportunities for rural Massachusetts residents. It is dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural Massachusetts while preserving the characteristics that give rural communities their unique sense of place.”

Franklin Regional Council of Governments – “The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) is a regional municipal services and planning organization based in the upper Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts.”

The Center for Rural Massachusetts – studying and promoting controlled growth in rural Massachusetts. Site includes summaries of research projects.

Brower & Company – Energy and Environmental Consulting — conducts research on energy and environmental issues. Focus on wind mapping and GIS, renewable energy and electrical utilities, and population, consumption and the environment.

Earth Share of New England — (formerly the Environmental Federation of New England) — a coalition of environmental organizations working to protect and preserve natural resources and public health. Works to foster environmental philanthropy through public education and workplace giving.

Mass Energy Consumers Alliance — nonprofit consumer advocacy organization. Offers discount energy efficient products and is working to pool consumer demand for clean, renewable power. Online product catalog available.

Wind Resource Assessment of Western and Central Massachusetts — maps of wind speed in Western Massachusetts and a PDF file.

Renewable Energy Research Laboratory – UMass –“The Renewable Energy Research Laboratory (RERL) exists to promote education and research in solar and wind energy conversion technologies.” Site includes research notes, “Wind Energy Explained”, software simulation tools, links to other renewable energy programs.

 

Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust — organization to promote the development of renewable energy in the Commonwealth. Site includes links to projects, articles and editorials, and “Index of the Massachusetts Innovation Economy – 2001” a downloadable report.

Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development — Division of Municipal Development; development funding programs.

EPA New England Grants and Funding — information about funding, doing business with the EPA, and general environmental accounting information.

EPA New England Press Releases — some examples of grants made recently.

Massachusetts Office of Business Development – Finance and Tax Incentives — general loan programs for business development.

Massachusetts Small Business Association – Financing — local financing information.

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative –“The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) is an an independent, economic development organization established to enhance the Commonwealth’s knowledge-based Innovation Economy. In addition, MTC administers the Renewable Energy Trust, which was established to promote the supply and use of renewable energy sources such as wind turbines, solar, hydroelectric and fuel cells. “

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association — “The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is the nation’s leading regional membership organization focused on promoting the understanding, development, and adoption of energy conservation and non-polluting, renewable energy technologies.” Lots of interesting links, tours of solar homes, alternate-fuel transportation, workshops.

DOER Renewable Energy Programs — Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources (DOER) Renewable Energy Programs. Tax incentives, definitions and examples of Massachusetts area projects.

Massachusetts Environmentally Preferable Products Procurement Program — Information on environmentally considerate building materials, products and supplies. Links to general recycled product and service information.

Green Seal – provides a rating system for the environmental sensitivity of products and services. Includes product recommendations.