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Weatherstripping is one of the measures small businesses can take to realize energy savings.

CET Offers Webinar on Weatherization for Small Businesses

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Center for EcoTechnology on Wednesday will host a webinar to help small businesses learn about the benefits of weatherization.
 
"Right now, due to the current COVID-19 and economic situation, utilities have temporarily increased incentives available to small businesses – in some cases up to 70-100 percent of installed energy saving measures will be covered," said Katherine Butler, the special projects manager at CET.
 
"This means it’s a terrific time for businesses to pursue these energy efficiency measures. In general, weatherization is a phenomenal way to stimulate the local economy, save businesses money, and help the environment, and we want to help spread the word."
 
The webinar, which will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., will cover topics including insulation and air sealing, potential costs from energy savings and the new incentives that are available.
 
"Small businesses are a historically underserved sector, and CET is working with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, as well as Berkshire Gas, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, and Eversource on a pilot to develop a model that weatherizes more small businesses," Butler said. "An important component of this is raising awareness of the services and utility incentives available to businesses through the Mass Save program, as well as the benefits for business owners.
 
"Specific measures we’ll be discussing include insulation, air sealing, weatherstripping, pipe insulation, and direct install measures. These measures often provide businesses energy savings, cost savings, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and increased comfort in the building."
 
Attendees at Wednesday's webinar will be able to participate in a live question-and-answer session with experts.
 
To register for the webinar, go here.

Tags: CET,   sustainability,   webinar,   

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Williamstown Health Board Considers Local Rule on 'Flavored' Tobacco

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Board of Health on Monday heard a suggestion that the town code be updated to allow the local authority to bar the sale of items that run afoul of the commonwealth's prohibition of flavored tobacco products.
 
Jim Wilusz of the Lee-based Tri-Town Health Department met with the board via Zoom during its monthly meeting.
 
Wilusz runs a Tobacco Awareness Program that serves 12 Berkshire County towns plus the cities of North Adams and Pittsfield.
 
He explained that in June, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health determined that five products labeled "non-menthol" in order to make them salable in the commonwealth in fact met the state's definition of "flavored." And the state agency instituted a ban.
 
The problem, Wilusz said, is that the state likely will not be able to keep up with the ever-evolving marketing efforts of the tobacco industry as it tries to market its products to new users.
 
"DPH is not going to keep coming out with these letters next year and the year after and the year after that," Wilusz said.
 
"[Big tobacco] spends billions in marketing and developing new products."
 
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