Month: March 2010

Comcast Offers Online Storage Solutions

SPRINGFIELD — Comcast Corp. recently launched Secure Backup & Share to help its high-speed Internet customers reduce their risk of losing important files that are saved on their computers. As physical belongings once stored in shoeboxes and manila file folders are now in the form of digital files spread across various computers and smart phones, there is a need for online backup that will protect one’s valuable files and ensure they will be available from just about anywhere at any time, according to Doug Guthrie, senior vice president of Comcast’s Western New England Region. Guthrie noted that Secure Backup & Share is embedded into the high-speed Internet service so customers can retrieve and share personal digital media from any Web-enabled or wireless device. Features of Secure Backup & Share include files being stored remotely, which can be restored in the event of human error, fire, or natural disaster; and convenient sharing, allowing customers to share their photos, videos, music, and documents with family and friends. Guthrie also noted that Comcast high-speed Internet customers automatically receive 2 GB of storage included with their subscription. Comcast packages also include a 50 GB storage plan and a 200 GB storage plan. For more information, visit www.comcast.net/backup.

PeoplesBank Branching Out to Seniors

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank hopes to open two branches at local complexes for senior citizens in the coming months. Bank officials recently applied to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the state Division of Banks for permission to open branches at Reeds Landing, 807 Wilbraham Road, Springfield; and at Glenmeadow, 56 Burns Meadow Road, Longmeadow.

Baystate MRI Opens New Facility

SPRINGFIELD — The Baystate MRI and Imaging Center recently opened its doors at 80 Wason Ave. with 3 Tesla technology (3T), enabling physicians to see and interpret scans at a level of detail never seen before. The new location will house three open-bore MRI units, including a Siemens Open Bore 3 Tesla MRI device, which Dr. Richard Hicks, director of MRI for Baystate MRI and Imaging Center, says delivers an unprecedented level of detail in its images while also enabling patients to receive their scans in greater comfort. Hicks also serves as chief of Neuroradiology at Baystate Medical Center. Hicks added that, from neurology to orthopedic imaging, he expects to be able to detect and diagnose a range of health issues faster and more effectively. Magnetic-resonance imaging uses a magnetic field and radio waves to obtain images of the internal structure of a patient’s body. MRI is useful in helping physicians detect tumors, infection, vascular disease, and internal bleeding, among other problems. The digital images from an MRI can be easily relayed between doctors and other providers, helping to ensure every caregiver treating a patient has access to the most up-to-date and detailed assessment of that patient’s circumstances, according to Hicks. With a sizable opening, the open-bore devices can accommodate patients who might have struggled getting MRIs in the past, noted Hicks, adding that the new technology provides comfort for people who are claustrophobic, pediatric patients, and people of size. Baystate MRI and Imaging will also offer the newest PET/CT (positron-emission tomography/computed tomography) technology available at the site. PET/CT is used primarily in oncology and brain-imaging applications and is useful in identifying abnormalities, while also offering faster scans and an open design for patient comfort. Baystate MRI is a partnership between Baystate Radiology and Imaging Inc. and Shields Health Care Group, which provides MRI services across Central and Southern New England.

Paratemps Inc. Celebrates 20 Years

SPRINGFIELD — Marge Fauteux, president and founder of Paratemps, Inc., celebrated 20 years in business in February. The legal and corporate staffing service specializes in offering temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire placement throughout Western Mass. and Northern Conn. Fauteux is a member of the Professional Legal Advisory Board at BayPath College, Longmeadow, and a member of Wilbraham BNI (Business Network International). She also serves as a director for BNI Western MA.

WNEC Students Excel in Tax Challenge

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England College (WNEC) School of Law students swept the top awards in a National American Bar Assoc. contest designed to give students an opportunity to research, write about, and present their analyses of “real life” tax-planning problems. Brendan Sponheimer of Orange, Conn., and James Murtha of Manchester, Conn., were awarded first place overall at the American Bar Assoc. Section of Taxation’s 2009 Law Student Tax Challenge in San Antonio. A second WNEC team, Neill O’Brien of East Longmeadow and Casey Nunez of Princeton, were honored for the best written submission. Professor of Law Frederick Royal served as coach of both teams, which competed in the competition’s juris doctor division. This is the second time in the competition’s nine-year history that WNEC School of Law students have been named overall champions. The tax challenge was developed to reflect everyday tax issues that might arise for practitioners. Forty-three teams from 34 law schools across the country competed in the J.D. division, tackling a complex tax planning problem that involved individual and business entity issues.

Bay State Gas Receives OK for Energy Plan

WESTBOROUGH — The Mass. Department of Public Utilities (DPU) recently approved a three-year energy-efficiency plan by Bay State Gas. The 2010-12 approved plan is a new initiative in response to the Mass. Green Communities Act (GCA), and follows months of rigorous discussion, participation, and negotiations with the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (established by the GCA) and other interested stakeholders. The DPU order commences a new era of prudent energy management and consumption, addresses the challenges of climate change, and fosters growth in jobs and economic output within the state. Bay State’s plan includes participation in a comprehensive framework comprised of all utilities and energy-service providers in the state to deliver enhanced energy-efficiency services, and acquisition of all available energy-efficiency and demand-reduction resources that are cost-effective. Derek Buchler, manager of the company’s energy-efficiency department, noted that never before has there been such a coordinated effort among the state’s gas and electric distribution companies, all focused on achieving accelerated levels of energy savings in a three-year period. Buchler added that Bay State’s energy-efficiency programs will dramatically increase from a $7.9 million annual budget to more than $56 million over the next three years. The new programs will install energy improvements that will achieve savings for years to come, enabling Bay State customers to realize savings of more than 181 million therms of gas over the life of measures installed. This is the equivalent of heating approximately 178,797 homes for one year and equates to net benefits of more than $135 million, according to Buchler. Steve Bryant, president of Bay State Gas, added that the company is “extremely proud” to be part of this important and ground-breaking energy-efficiency initiative. Bryant noted that the new plan will provide customers with easy, affordable ways to control and reduce energy consumption.

Pittsfield Chosen for WMECO Solar-energy Site

SPRINGFIELD — Western Mass. Electric Company (WMECO) recently announced its plan to develop the first of several large-scale solar energy facilities. The selected site on Silver Lake Boulevard combines two parcels of land owned by WMECO and the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA) at the William Stanley Business Park. The eight-acre site will accommodate up to 1.8 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity. WMECO officials joined local officials and PEDA representatives in announcing the agreement to combine these brownfield properties into one of the largest solar facilities in New England. The Commonwealth has a goal to install 250 megawatts of solar by 2017. Under the landmark Green Communities Act, each Massachusetts electric utility may own up to 50 MW of solar generation, subject to approval by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). WMECO is currently authorized to install 6 MW of solar. The company’s solar program reflects a close collaboration with the attorney general’s office and other key Massachusetts and industry stakeholders. WMECO’s Silver Lake Boulevard project combines a six-acre parcel owned by the utility and a two-acre parcel in the William Stanley Business Park. A WMECO substation is situated between the two parcels, providing an efficient connection to the utility’s local distribution system. Large-scale solar-energy facilities are still relatively new to Massachusetts and New England. Approximately 10 MW of solar generation is currently on-line in the Commonwealth. Comprised of approximately 1,100 individual photovoltaic systems, the largest one is approximately 500 kilowatts (0.5 MW). WMECO’s first solar project can be as large as 1.8 MW, and the company expects it to cost considerably less than existing photovoltaic systems. The project will bring $10 to $12 million of construction to the region and is expected to contribute more than $200,000 of annual property-tax revenue to the city of Pittsfield. Pittsfield is one of the two Gateway Communities in WMECO’s service territory and is home to some 24,000 WMECO customers. Local permitting for the project is underway, and WMECO expects to begin construction in the second quarter of this year. The company continues to evaluate other sites for the remaining scope of its 6 MW solar program. WMECO’s solar program focuses on larger-scale facilities (1 MW or greater), emphasizing landfill, brownfield, and utility-owned properties as ideal locations. Such properties typically have few alternative uses and are compatible with the construction of solar-energy facilities. WMECO also seeks to develop the market for larger-scale solar facilities; the company’s program makes extensive use of competitive bidding and relies heavily on the expertise of the solar industry. WMECO has currently qualified 16 solar firms to bid on its projects. The company is also evaluating 25 sites owned by municipalities and private developers located in WMECO’s service territory. The company expects to draw upon these prospective sites as it develops additional projects during 2010. WMECO will complete the remainder of its 6 MW program by 2012. WMECO is part of the Northeast Utilities System.