People in Northampton, Brattleboro, and Keene have recently reduced pollution and saved money by investing in better insulation and air sealing for buildings, and in other energy efficiency measures. “We're saving around $400,000 a year,” Chris Mason told the Valley Post. He works for the city of Northampton, which undertook a major energy efficiency project in 2010 in schools, the public library, and other city-owned buildings. “We reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

In Brattleboro, the owner of a warehouse is saving $21,380 a year – and helping the environment – thanks to better light bulbs, Kelly Lucci told the Valley Post. She works for a taxpayer-funded group that coordinated the project. The group also helps people make their homes more energy efficient. It has a web site at www.EfficiencyVermont.com.

In 2012, the city of Keene invested in energy efficiency and put solar panels on the roof of city hall. The resulting reduction in pollution so far has been equivalent to not burning more than 60,000 gallons of oil. Those savings will continue indefinitely.

People in Massachusetts can get help with energy efficiency for their homes from the state agency that runs this web site:

www.mass.gov/eea/energy-utilities-clean-tech/energy-efficiency

The equivalent web site for New Hampshire is:

www.puc.state.nh.us/electric/coreenergyefficiencyprograms.htm