Energy company fosters new environment for climate change
On the television, in the news and even at the movies, climate change is everywhere. Despite all the visibility and good intentions, it seems that people are still at a loss for what they can do as individuals to make a difference. But as the saying goes, “Many hands make light work.”
To help do its part, KeySpan, the largest natural gas distributor in the Northeast, has announced the “Be Green, Win Green” campaign, which encourages individuals and communities to take action to reduce their carbon footprint.
As part of this effort, we are calling on cities and towns in our New England service area to take a closer look at their energy choices and consider changes that increase their city’s or town’s energy efficiency. We are proud that the city of Salem, Mass., is the first to join the effort.
Salem recently joined KeySpan and the New England headquarters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA New England) to pledge to reduce energy use in the city by 10 percent — and to seek other ways to prevent climate change. Together with KeySpan and EPA New England, Salem will have its municipal buildings assessed to determine opportunities for increasing their energy efficiency, and in some cases, convert to cleaner, more environmentally friendly natural gas.
Natural gas is a reliable, North American-produced energy source that has a more secure and predictable supply than foreign fuels. KeySpan also helps mitigate price volatility by purchasing natural gas years in advance to secure the best price for its customers.
In fact, since the campaign was launched in the spring, a new report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that natural gas use reduces greenhouse gases. Homes that use natural gas heat emit up to 40 percent less carbon dioxide and 100 percent less sulfur dioxide, two main contributors to global climate change and acid rain, than homes that use oil.
We are calling on all to make a pledge to take action. If we each take responsibility for changing one thing in our home or community that will benefit our environment, we will make lighter work of the task of preventing climate change.
Individuals looking to make a difference can go to the KeySpan Web site —
www.keyspanenergy.com/begreenwingreen — to learn more about what they can do to combat global warming. They can also sign up for the “Be Green Win Green” Sweepstakes, which has a grand prize of a full conversion from oil to natural gas, worth $25,000, and four first-place prizes of a natural gas appliance of the winner’s choosing. The sweepstakes will run through July 31, 2007.
We believe this campaign will inspire people to take steps to reduce their personal impact on the environment and to build partnerships in their community to make a difference on a larger scale. KeySpan is ready to help.
Nick Stavropoulos
President, KeySpan Energy Delivery
Waltham
