Learn to save money, energy at 'Greening 101'
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

Marlborough - With winter around the corner and utility prices on the rise, Green Marlborough in collaboration with the Community Development Corp. (CDC) is sponsoring an energysaving workshop Tuesday Sept. 25.

The "Greening 101 Homeowners" workshop will be presented at the Marlborough Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m. by New Ecology Inc. (NEI), a New England-based organization dedicated to environmental protection and economic development in urban communities.

The free workshop targets what the average homeowner can do to reduce energy consumption, which will save money on utility bills and improve the air quality. The two-hour training will begin with educating homeowners about what impact each house's energy consumption and water usage has on the environment. Homeowners will then learn how their individual decisions affect global warming.

The second part of the training will guide homeowners through issues such as: how to conserve water indoors and outdoors, the most immediate and significant energy saving tips, and the latest innovations in green building materials for minimal energy usage.

Jennifer Boudrie is a member of Green Marlborough.

"I see this presentation as a collaborative eff ort of all three organizations to support the rapidly growing public interest in home energy savings and a healthy environment," she said.

The workshop is part of a continued effort to get community members to take the extra step to unplug electrical appliances when not in use, turn down their thermostats, replace incandescent light bulbs, insulate hot-water heaters and use a clothesline.

"This excellent workshop will provide free water- and energy-saving resources [water-saving kits and energy saving light bulbs, while supplies last] home energy audit information, and many tips for the home," Boudrie said. "This off ers solutions to people who are eager for information about what they can do to help the environment, deal with rising fuel costs through energy efficiency and support good health at home."

Workshop attendees will leave the workshop with a clear idea of the most important and significant energy and money saving changes that can be made to their homes. Sample products and brochures will be available along with several members of the three participating organizations to help answer conservation questions.

The NEI, which evolved in 1999, works with local organizations and CDC to clean up buildings considered "blight" and promote environmentally responsible development. The group recently published a study in collaboration with the CDC that challenges the common misconception that environmental-friendly solutions cost more. The study demonstrated the long-term economic value of developing green housing.

Green Marlborough members hope that community members will take advantage of the free workshop. The organization, which meets monthly, is open to any members of the community interested in making a diff erence locally.

For more information about the upcoming workshop or any of the other programs, visit www.greenmarlborough. org.