Sustainable Outreach Partnership Initiative (SOPI)

The goals of the SOPI were to
1. adapt the generalizable local governmental level model of best practices (developed through the Lowell Green Building Initiative) for source reduction of green gas emissions, toxic materials and resource conservation using sustainable/green construction and redevelopment practices to other Merrimack Valley communities
2. identify and develop effective programs and incentives that communities can use to promote environmentally friendly building design, construction and redevelopment processes in the private sector and local governmental level
3. facilitate the creation and implementation of local sustainable/green building development programs statewide by promulgating this model of best practices to other cities in Massachusetts.

SOPI conducted case-study research on four higher educational institutions that were leaders in the area of green and sustainable buildings. SOPI also worked with several cities, a regional planning entity, and other stakeholders within the Merrimack Valley, including the cities of Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, Methuen and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission by providing ongoing research support, technical assistance, and facilitation.

In addition, SOPI attended the Massachusetts Smart Growth/Smart Energy Conference in Worcester on December 7, 2007, as an exhibitor, distributed more than 150 copies of the report, The Benefits of Building Green: Recommendations for Green Programs and Incentives for the City of Lowell, and discussed the Lowell Green Building Model with attendees of the conference. David Turcotte also served as a panelist at Green, Clean and Sustainable Economic Development for the 21st Century Summit on May 19th, sponsored by the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas Office. He presented information on the Lowell Green Building Model and national research on how to establish programs and incentives at local level to encourage green construction and development while creating demand for green products and services that lead to new job creation.

SOPI was funded by Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs until July 2009. For more information contact David Turcotte.