Clean Energy & Innovation

The Salem Chamber of Commerce recognizes the economic development and growth opportunities associated with clean energy sectors such as electrified transportation and associated infrastructure, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and resilience planning.  We also recognize that protecting the environment and reducing the consumption of resources is part of our civic responsibility.

Beverly-Salem Small Business Energy Challenge 

 
Vineyard Wind is a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). Vineyard Wind has entered into an agreement with the City of Salem and Crowley Maritime Corporation to create a public-private partnership aimed at establishing Salem Harbor as the state’s second major offshore wind port. The agreement, part of the “Commonwealth Wind” proposal, is contingent upon the company winning an award by the state of Massachusetts, which is currently evaluating offshore wind procurement bids. The Commonwealth Wind project intends to use the site for turbine assembly and staging activities, utilizing the site to store and assemble components – including blades, nacelles, and tower sections – as they are prepared for offshore installation.  Given Salem Harbor’s deep-water port and unrestricted height access to accommodate large-scale wind turbine installation vessels, the Port of Salem is an ideal location for offshore wind, while maintaining the option of further developing Salem’s Cruiseport on the same site.

For more information on the proposed plan please visit the Salem Harbor Port Authority webpage.

Transportation

Transportation has a direct impact on Salem’s economy and workforce. Regional transportation has a direct impact on the housing crisis, climate readiness, and quality of life. Our goal is to reduce congestion and prioritize public transportation ridership. Electrification of the existing commuter rail line is essential. We encourage the use of the Salem Ferry, the newly established Salem Skipper, a ridesharing service, as well as the City’s bikeshare program.

We strongly support the proposed South Salem train station, as a way to increase rail access to both Salem State University as well as Salem Hospital. For more information on the South Salem Train Station, please click here.

Resiliency

The Cities of Beverly and Salem, through the collective action of Resilient Together, have embraced both short-term and long-term solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century while ensuring that our communities are resilient to the impacts of climate change. In doing so, Beverly and Salem will remain inclusive and thriving communities, attractive and accessible to diverse families and businesses, for generations to come. The Salem Chamber embraces the proactive, collaborative approach as laid out in the Climate Action and Resilience Plan to limit climate change to 1.5 degrees Celsius by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and to build resilience to its unavoidable impacts.

Through Resilient Together, we envision a collective and connected future that is powered by clean, renewable energy and led by communities that are prepared for changing climate conditions. When we are resilient together, we promote local economic growth, protect our natural resources, and minimize our waste through reduction, reuse, and recycling. We will reduce our emissions and build community resilience to intense storms, sea level rise, droughts, floods, and heat waves.  
For more information please visit www.resilient-together.org

Earlier clean energy initiatives:

Green UP
The Salem Chamber joined forces with Next Step Living and the City of Salem to conduct a comprehensive educational initiative focused on reducing residential energy consumption through conservation and the adoption of renewable energy. As part of the program, Next Step Living completed 129 Mass Save Energy Assessments & 23 weatherization projects. Next Step Living also completed 103 Ductless Mini Split Assessments and installed 30 Ductless Mini Split systems. The aggregate savings for homeowners in the first year was $22,086 and the CO2 savings was 79.79 metric tons of greenhouse gases.  

“Solarize Now”
 Solarize Salem goal was to seek an increase in the adoption of small and large scale solar electricity  through a competitive tiered pricing structure that increases the savings for everyone as more home and business owners sign contracts. Through Solarize Salem, residents and businesses had the unique opportunity to realize significant savings.  Solarize Salem, in teamwork with Swampscott, helped increase the adoption of small-scale solar electricity through a competitive tiered pricing structure that increases the savings for everyone as more home and business owners sign contracts.

Living Green & Renewable Energy Fair
For six years in a row (2008 – 2014), the Salem Chamber of Commerce and the Salem Renewable Energy Task Force invited businesses and organizations that promote green and renewable products to participate in the Annual Living Green & Renewable Energy Fair. Goal of the Fair was to promote products, services and information that encourage healthier, more sustainable consumption and lifestyles for businesses and families.  
Fair Highlights over the years:
•    40+ Vendor Booths & Exhibits
•    Salem Beautification Committee’s Annual Plant Sale Fundraiser
•    Documentary screenings such as the documentary “Deep Green” at Cinema Salem
•    E-Waste Recycling Events

The Green Salem Business Challenge
The Green Business Challenge was organized by the City of Salem, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Salem Recycles, Salem’s Renewable Energy Task Force as well as the North Shore Transportation Management Association. The Challenge was a friendly competition and recognition program for businesses of all types and sizes to pursue green and sustainability driven strategies, improve their business performance and enhance their bottom line.
The challenge helped identify ways to make businesses greener and increase their bottom line.  Participating businesses took a sustainability pledge, complete an online survey checklist of sustainability measures that they have implemented, had to describe why they consider themselves to be a green business, and explain what they will do in the coming year to further improve green practices. The checklist consisted of measures in: Education & Awareness; Energy Conservation & Renewable Energy; Water Conservation; Resource Management; Transportation; Green Cleaning & Maintenance; and Product/ Service Offerings.
All participants were recognized in a press release, and winners received a Green Business Certificate and window decal awarded by Mayor Driscoll and the organizers at the awards ceremony.