CLIMATE LEADERSHIP NEWSLETTER
NOTES FROM MASSACHUSETTS CITIES AND TOWNS
Dear Supporter,
The purpose of the Climate Leadership newsletter is to features stories of environmental and climate action in Massachusetts. It provides a platform to highlight work being done by municipalities, climate leaders, and local groups in communities across the Commonwealth. To share local climate actions your community is working on, email Veena Dharmaraj.
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Newton’s Municipal Aggregation Contract Delivers Highest Percentage of Local Renewable Energy in Massachusetts
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The City of Newton signed an historic contract for all of the City’s electricity customers that is 60 percent from local renewable sources such as solar and wind, significantly reducing the City’s carbon footprint while also cutting the price customers pay. This is an additional 46 percent above the state mandate for renewables making Newton the community with the highest percentage of additional local renewable electricity of any municipal aggregation program in Massachusetts. The program goes into effect in March 2019 and guarantees customers a stable price for 22 months.
Of the 40 cities and towns with municipal aggregation programs that provide electricity from renewable energy sources above the amount mandated by state law, Brookline comes the closest at 39 percent in 2019, which includes the 14% state mandate.
When Newton Power Choice goes into effect, customers who take no action will be automatically enrolled in the standard program. Customers can also choose from two additional Newton Power Choice options: (1) They can opt up from the standard level to receive 100% renewable electricity for an additional $2.91 per month, or (2) they can opt down from the standard level to receive only the minimum amount of renewable electricity required by state law, thereby saving $3.34 per month, as compared to the standard level, while remaining a participant in Newton Power Choice. Eversource, the local utility will continue to deliver electricity. For additional information contact Ellen Ishkanian.
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| Somerville Releases Climate Action Plan |
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| The City of Somerville has developed a comprehensive climate change plan, Somerville Climate Forward that sets short- and medium-term action steps to reduce emissions, increase climate resilience, and prepare the city for the unavoidable impacts of climate change, including increased risks from extreme heat and flooding. The plan prioritizes 13 action areas including net zero and resilient buildings, stormwater management, electric vehicles, energy supply, pathway to 100% renewables, tree canopy, and more. For more information about the Somerville Climate Forward Plan contact Hannah Payne, Somerville Sustainability Coordinator. |
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| Watertown to Require Solar Panels on New Constructions |
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The Watertown Town Council voted unanimously on a zoning ordinance that will require developers to install solar panels on new commercial buildings, becoming the first town in New England to do so.
The new ordinance applies to commercial projects equal to or greater than 10,000 square feet, or that contain 10 or more residential units. Single family homes and duplexes are exempt, as are buildings lacking feasible solar-zones. |
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Parking garages will require solar installations. This ordinance first drafted in 2016 by Watertown resident, Joslyn Taggert, will help reduce pollution, decrease the town’s carbon footprint and provide local jobs.
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| Three Solar Projects Go Online in Ashland |
The Town of Ashland partnered with Ameresco to develop three solar PV projects under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Ashland’s solar projects sited on the roof of the middle school, the high school parking lot, and the Howe Street Landfill are comprised of more than 5,500 photovoltaic panels totaling 1,800 kW DC and designed to generate over 2.2 million kWh of renewable electricity each year. The annual CO2 emissions reduction of 1,632 metric tons is equivalent to taking 350 cars off the road and annual electricity usage of 176 homes. Please contact Beth Reynolds for more information.
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| Cambridge to Install Six Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations |
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Cambridge and Eversource recently signed contracts to install 6 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the city by spring 2019. All stations are dual-head and can accommodate 2 vehicles to charge at the same time. The city currently owns four EV charging stations and the addition of new Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations will allow more residents to charge their vehicles during the day or night. Not only will these charging stations charge electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, but they could also play a role in providing charging opportunities for electric motorcycles, bikes, and scooters.
Cities and towns can make use of $5 million available in first year funding through the Volkswagen Settlement to install electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) in their communities. An additional $45 million is available through the Eversource Make Ready Program to install publicly available charging infrastructure. For more information contact James Cater from Eversource.
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| Scituate approves plastic bag ban |
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Voters at the November town meeting approved an article banning the use of single use plastic bags in Scituate. Stores will have until next September to phase out their stock, and then can issue reusable, recyclable or compostable bags. The board of health will be responsible for enforcing the rule, which carries fines of up to $300 per violation. As of November 2018, 88 Massachusetts cities and towns, representing 40% of the state's population, regulate single-use plastic shopping bags.
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Somerset Adopts Hazard Mitigation Plan
Somerset completed the process and adopted its hazard mitigation plan making it eligible to obtain emergency management grants through the federal and state agencies.
The town developed this plan to identify the risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural disasters and to develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events. The plan contains strategies and actions that the town would take to reduce the loss of life and property from natural hazards, including, but not limited to coastal flooding, severe wind resulting from hurricanes and severe winter weather. |
| OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ACTION |
Ask Your Board of Health to Sign Letter Opposing New Fracked Gas Pipelines
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The Massachusetts Association of Health Boards (MAHB) has circulated this letter to their members, asking local Boards of Health to consider signing onto the letter, which calls on Governor Baker to require comprehensive health impact assessments for any new or expanding fracked gas pipelines. More than Ninety municipalities , representing over 47% of the state’s population have signed on so far, with several more planning to join.
Fracked gas contains heavy metals, radioactive elements, and carcinogens. These contaminants can cause cancer, neurologic disease, and respiratory issues such as asthma. As front-line protectors of public health, local Boards of Health are perfectly placed to call on Governor Baker to say NO to dangerous and destructive pipelines. For more information contact Steve Jones or Michele Brooks.
Contact your local Board of Health and ask them to sign on!
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT THE MASSACHUSETTS
SIERRA CLUB
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