Resources from the Energy Committee

Starting a research or home improvement project related to energy efficiency or energy conservation? Need facts to back you up when you talk about the challenges of climate change? Want quick links to other towns' or regional energy committees? What are "Complete Streets," what's new with walkable neighborhoods, and what makes a good biking community? Has Durham developed a Climate Adaptation Chapter for its Hazard Mitigation Plan? Check out the Durham Energy Committee's page of resource links.

Overview

The Internet makes useful resources easily accessible and broadens our reach exponentially, but there is a downside. Many organizations whose prime purpose is to spread incorrect information, disinformation, and doubt around the issues of carbon emissions and global warming also use the Internet. The Energy Committee provides below lists of credible resources, linked to their home pages. (Clicking on a link will take you to a new window for the external site.) At the bottom of the page you will also find a list of websites that the DEC strongly urges you to avoid.

In addition, third-party research reports and articles may be downloaded from the *Supporting Documents* section.

Websites are grouped by category. See also the Energy Committee's page of links about alternative and public forms of transportation, including bicyclist, pedestrian, and car sharing options. [IN PROGRESS]

Resources by category (click on name of link to activate)

A. Climate Change

1. Regional and local climate change, energy initiatives

• NH Climate Action Plan (2024)
• Climate Adaptation Chapter of Durham's Hazard Mitigation Plan 
• Climate In the Great Bay Region (Report, 2011)  
• EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program

2. General climate and general climate change

• World Climate (data) 
• Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change
• Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)
• EPA's Climate Change website
• Union of Concerned Scientists
• The Center for Biological Diversity's Climate Law Institute  
• NOAA's Climate site
• M.I.T.'s Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy
• 350.org
• Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Global Warming

B. Sustainable built environments 

Architecture, buildings

• U.S. Green Building Council
• LEED (Leadership in Environmental Energy & Design)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
• Smart Communities
• Passive House Institute
• International Living Building Institute / Living Building Challenge
• Institute for Market Transformation

Infrastructure (not "green infrastructure, per se)

• Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure
• https://sustainable-infrastructure-tools.org/tools/envision-rating-system/ (check out the "Envision Rating System")

C. Energy Use and Conservation  

• Energy Star Program
• Positive Energy Conservation Products
• US Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG)

D. Alternative and Renewable Energy Resources  

• EV World
• American Solar Energy Society
• International Solar Energy Society
• Solar Energy International
• Vote Solar
• American Clean Power Association
• American Council on Renewable Energy
• Solar Energy Business Association of New England
• The Sierra Club: Clean Energy Solutions
• Alliance for Green Heat

E. Funding Programs, Household Help, Consumer Resources

• Eversource of NH Energy Saving Programs and Rebates
• NH Department of Energy and Planning -- Energy Efficiency Hub
• Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (NH)
• Button Up NH
• Energy Star program (U.S. government)
• US Department of Energy | Rebates, Tax Credits & Financing
• PACENow (advocate organization for Property Assessed Clean Energy) 

F. Transportation and Energy

Bicycle and bicycling resources

For every 1 mile pedaled rather than driven, nearly 1 pound of CO² (0.88) is saved. (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2009). 

• NH's "Three Foot Law"  for drivers and bicyclists (RSA 265:143-a)
• NHDOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
• Granite State Wheelmen 
• Seacoast Area Bicycle Riders (Routes)
• League of American Bicyclists
• Bike-Walk Alliance of NH
• Women Cycling Project (Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals)

G. Other Local Energy Organization Websites

• The Green Oyster | Oyster River Sustainability Committee (ORCSD)
• Concord, NH Energy and Environment Committee
• Dover, NH Energy Commission
• New England Grassroots Environment Fund
• New Hampshire Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency Hub
• Rockingham Planning Commission's Community Energy Planning

Broken links and comments

Links provided on this site are accurate as of October 4, 2019. Please tell us if you've come across a broken link by sending us an email. Provide us with the name of the organization and the title and web address (URL) of the specific page to which the link is broken.

If you'd like to suggest the addition of a resource, feel free to email us as above.