If you’ve visited the tools or lighting aisles at TAGS hardware store on a Saturday or Sunday, you have probably seen a home energy information table. The home energy information table has provided thousands of customers with free advice and resources for saving energy and reducing carbon emissions. On Friday May 29, Cambridge City officials visited TAGS to thank owners and staff for their work to make the city more energy efficient.
At an informal ceremony in front of the store, Cambridge City Councilor, Leland Cheung, and Outreach Director of Cambridge Energy Alliance, Meghan Shaw, presented a resolution to TAGS Co-owners Margaret “Mardi” Moran and Simon Shapiro. The resolution, approved by Cambridge City Council on Monday May 25, reads “The City Council commends with gratitude the exemplary contribution of the owners and employees of TAGS toward the reduction of energy and greenhouse gas emissions”. City Councilor Cheung explained the resolution was approved without opposition saying, “The Council supports the leadership provided by members of the city’s business community, and TAGS is a great example of that leadership”.
TAGS began offering the information table in 2012 with support from Cambridge Energy Alliance and Next Step Living out of concern for the environment. Ms. Moran explained, “The need to reduce carbon emissions is so urgent. We are happy to make this resource available.” Mr. Shapiro explained that in addition to helping area residents, TAGS is also taking steps to reduce its own energy use, such as replacing all of it’s lighting with highly-efficient LEDs. Ms. Shaw praised the initiative of the co-owners saying. “You have always said ‘yes’ to taking actions for a strong, sustainable community.”
The home energy information table at TAGS helps people to take steps to reduce energy use in their homes by giving them the chance to see and ask questions about sample energy-saving light bulbs, power strips, faucet aerators, shower heads, and more. The table is staffed by an energy savings specialist who can offer advice about energy savings programs and schedule no-cost home energy assessments.
TAGS has been especially generous in making space for the home energy information table in the store, but they are not alone. Check out other Cambridge institutions that have made space for the home energy information tables.
There are many residents of Cambridge who can make their homes more energy efficient, and Cambridge Energy Alliance is eager to see many more information tables across the city. If you can offer a little space for a home energy information table in a store, house of worship, office, or other place where people gather, please send email to outreach@cambridgeenergyalliance.org. You’ll help people save energy and money; you’ll help the environment; and you’ll help Cambridge in its competition with 49 other U.S. cities to win the $5 Million Georgetown University Energy Prize.
In front of TAGS hardware store, City Councilor, Leland Cheung, at center, presents the resolution, with Meghan Shaw to left, and Mardi Moran and Simon Shapiro to right. Also shown are Christine Ellersick (far left), Anika Klaessig (held by her mother), Zack McArthur, and Malcolm Bliss (far right).