The Melrose Energy Commission (MEC) is encouraging Melrose residents to sign up for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Choice Program. This program allows you to support clean, renewable energy through the payment of a small premium on your electric bill. A portion of these funds are returned to the city to use in renewable energy and low-income energy projects. Taking the simple step of signing up for this program lets you do something great for the environment, for our energy security, and for our city.

You can sign up at any time, but there are advantages for the city if you do so by April 30, 2008. If 150 residents Melrose residents are signed up by then, the City of Melrose receives a free solar power system to be installed on a public building or school. If 250 residents sign up by March 31, the City receives an additional $13,000 in its accounts for renewable energy and low-income energy projects.

Information about participating is included in your monthly electric bill from National Grid, or you can go to www.massenergy.com and follow the Green Electricity link to join the New England Green Start Program. Additional information about participating can be found at www.cleanenergychoice.org or you can call 508-870-0312. You can also contact the MEC at melroseenergy@yahoo.com or call Adam Briggs, 617-338-8131 x211.