Local Clean Energy Policies
A number of towns in Massachusetts have implemented or are developing policies that include specific goals relating to clean energy technology. Regulatory frameworks for promoting and regulating renewable energy installations are also emerging at the local level.
Local Initiatives Overview
Many local policy initiatives relating to clean energy are affiliated with broader efforts to address climate change through the Cities for Climate Protection campaign. Cities and towns in Massachusetts that participate in the campaign are reducing their energy footprints by using electricity and fuels more efficiently, installing renewable technologies, purchasing green power, and mandating sustainable design and high-performance construction.
Numerous local governments have also implemented clean energy technologies or are evaluating renewables installations under programs administered by the MTC, including the Community Wind Collaborative, Green Buildings Initiative, and Green Schools Initiative. To search MTC's database for projects involving your community, click here.
Cities for Climate Protection TM Campaign
The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) launched this campaign to provide local governments around the world with a framework for reducing their contributions to global climate change. Towns and cities that join the Cities for Climate Protection TM (CCP) Campaign make commitments to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with municipal facilities and operations, as well as other activities within their borders.
To participate, government entities must pledge to undertake the following tasks:
• Conduct a base year inventory of the sources and quantities of GHG emissions and develop a forecast of future emissions for a target year.
• Adopt a goal to reduce GHG emissions in the target year by a certain amount below the baseline or forecast.
• Develop and obtain approval for an action plan outlining the activities to be pursued to achieve the emissions reduction target.
• Implement the actions in the plan.
• Monitor and verify results.
Massachusetts accounts for over 10% of the more than 150 U.S. cities and towns that have joined the global CCP campaign. The Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) is supporting the campaign on a statewide basis, working with many participants and fostering grassroots efforts to recruit additional members. Cities, towns, and regions where local initiatives are under way to address the climate challenge are identified in the table. Information is provided below on activities in highlighted towns. |
Participants in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign |
||
| Amherst | Natick | ||
| Arlington | Newton | ||
| Barnstable | Northampton | ||
| Boston | Reading | ||
| Brookline | Salem | ||
| Cambridge | Shutesbury | ||
| Falmouth | Somerville | ||
| Gloucester | Springfield | ||
| Lenox | Watertown | ||
| Lynn | Williamstown | ||
| Medford | Worcester | ||
Other Areas with MCAN Groups |
|||
| Berkshires | Newburyport | ||
| Cape Ann | Westwood | ||
| Concord | Waltham | ||
| Lexington | |||
Arlington: The town's Green Building Code is the first in the state and is helping to reduce the operating costs and improve the environmental performance of municipal buildings. The code requires all new buildings, major renovations, and additions to existing buildings to achieve at least a "Silver" certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system developed by the United States Green Building Council (or a comparable rating under other scoring systems).
Barnstable: The town is committed to reducing municipal and community GHG emissions by 20% over the period from 2003 to 2013. In pursuit of this policy goal, a Barnstable Green Team has been created to implement municipal conservation programs, buy efficient technologies, harness renewable resources, demonstrate advanced energy systems, create and manage high-performance buildings, and otherwise accelerate progress toward a sustainable energy future.
The Green Team includes representatives from the town manager's office, the town council, and the procurement, public works, conservation, and other departments. All municipal employees are encouraged to contribute ideas. This multidisciplinary approach is making both economic and environmental sense. In the last couple years, the Green Team's activities have helped the town save tens of thousands of dollars in annual energy costs while reducing emissions of air pollutants and GHGs.
Boston: The Green Building Task Force is leading Boston's efforts to establish sustainable design and high-performance construction as a norm. It includes representatives from a wide range of building and development interests, community groups, and municipal departments. Based on its recommendations, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced in November 2004 that the LEED "Silver" standard will represent the goal for all city-owned buildings, and that applicable codes and standards will be modified to require that city-supported developments and large projects built within the city's borders meet green building standards.
Brookline: The town's Climate Action Plan provides detailed information on the measures being taken to reduce GHG emissions to 20% below 1995 levels by 2010. In one precedent-setting action, the town required its competitive electricity supplier to exceed the requirements of the Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in a power supply contract.
Cambridge: The city's Climate Protection Plan proposes more than 100 specific actions for reducing its energy footprint, and numerous municipal and community initiatives are under way to achieve the goal of reducing overall GHG emissions by 20% relative to 1990 levels by 2010. For example, all municipal new construction and major renovation projection must meet LEED standards. The city's Climate Leader Program offers incentives and services to businesses and organizations that commit to energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations, and other measures.
Medford: Completion of the city's Climate Action Plan has jumpstarted efforts to reduce municipal GHG emissions to 20% below 1998 levels by 2010 and community GHG emissions to 10% below 1998 levels by 2010. Efficiency initiatives in municipal buildings are generating annual cost savings of more than $50,000, while installations of photovoltaic (PV) systems at city hall and Hormel Stadium, home of the Medford High School Mustangs, are focusing attention on the benefits of clean energy technologies.
Newton: The Newton Energy Action Plan details the city's plans for reducing community and municipal GHG emissions by 7% and 20%, respectively, below 1998 levels by 2010. It includes a goal of purchasing 15% of the city's electricity from renewable sources by 2010. This far exceeds state RPS requirements, and it builds upon the city's 2003 purchase of $5,000 worth of renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by Hull Wind I, the first modern wind turbine installation in Massachusetts. The city is also a U.S. Department of Energy Million Solar Roofs partner. Under its SUNERGY program, Newton is adding PV panels and other solar energy systems to public buildings and promoting their installation by private organizations and citizens.
Northampton: The city's energy policy emphasizes efficiency and conservation for all municipal facilities.
Reading: The city has a website detailing its involvement.
Somerville: The city's policy goals are to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2010 and to 10% below 1990 levels by 2015. Recommended measures for achieving these goals are outlined in Somerville 's Climate Action Plan.
Worcester: The city established the state's most ambitious clean energy policy in March 2005, when the Worcester City Council unanimously adopted a resolution advanced by Mayor Timothy P. Murray on behalf of the Regional Environmental Council and Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light: By 2010, 20% of municipal electricity demand must be met by a combination of local renewable energy installations and REC purchases.
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