Category Archives: Energy Committee

TOMCAP release imminent – Workshop on 5/19

Posted on May 3, 2022 | Comments Off on TOMCAP release imminent – Workshop on 5/19

TOMCAP, the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan, has been drafted & will be available for public comment soon.

A public workshop on TOMCAP will be facilitated by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council on May 19th at 7PM in the Dale Street School cafeteria.  All Medfield residents are invited to learn about the plan and comment on it before it is finalized.

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Posted in Climate, Energy Committee, Events, Information, MAPC, Planning, TOMCAP

Heat Pumps explained 3/22

Posted on March 7, 2022 | Comments Off on Heat Pumps explained 3/22

From Helen Dewey for the Medfield Energy Committee and Medfield Environmental Action (meamedfield.org) –

Representatives from the Heat Smart Alliance and RISE Engineering will be presenting the ins and outs of energy efficient heat pumps and the incentives from Mass Save. Jim Nail of the Medfield Energy Committee will be on hand as a resource for Medfield residents. Plenty of time for all of your questions! Heating & Cooling with Heat Pumps & NEW Mass Save Program Incentives meamedfield.org Cooled Air Warm Air Heated Air SUMMER Outside Air Heated Air Cool Air Cooled Air WINTER Outside Air Cooled Air Warm Air Heated Air SUMMER Outside Air Heated Air Cool Air Cooled Air WINTER Outside Air Heat Pumps 101 Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 7:30 pm via Zoom ZOOM INFORMATION Register in advance to receive the zoom link via email. Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/heatpumps101 or Find the Zoom link on town.medfield.net as a meeting of the Medfield Energy Committee. mass save Savings through energy e􀄦ciency

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Posted in Climate, Energy Committee, Medfield Environmental Action

Preview town’s Climate Action Plan – forum at 7:30PM tonight

Posted on January 31, 2022 | Comments Off on Preview town’s Climate Action Plan – forum at 7:30PM tonight

you can click on https://tinyurl.com/TOMCAPwebinar to join the webinar.

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Posted in Climate, Energy Committee, Planning

TOMCAP Forum 1/31 at 7:30PM

Posted on January 18, 2022 | Comments Off on TOMCAP Forum 1/31 at 7:30PM

you can click on https://tinyurl.com/TOMCAPwebinar to join the webinar.

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Posted in Climate, Energy Committee

Cool survey shapes town’s environmental future

Posted on January 5, 2022 | Comments Off on Cool survey shapes town’s environmental future

Really interesting survey from the Medfield Energy Committee re the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP).

Get the questionnaire at https://tinyurl.com/23tnp6vv  and answer questions that look like this

Medfield Plans to Decarbonize to Meet Our Net Zero by 2050 Goal The Medfield Energy Committee is asking all residents to complete a questionnaire so your thoughts, concerns and ideas can be included in the development of the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan TOMCAP. n After reading the fact sheet below you can access the questionnaire at https://tinyurl.com/23tnp6vv. n It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. n If you want to participate in the development of the TOMCAP please email us at TOMCAP@Medfield.net Please pass this on to friends and neighbors! This event is not sponsoreed or endosed by the Medfield Public Schools. Medfield Emissions InventoryResidentialBuildings 39.1%PassengerVehicles 41.6%C&I Buildings and Manufacturing Industries 12.3% Municipal Buildings 3.0%Commercial Vehicles 1.6%Other 0.5%Wastewater Treatmentand Discharge1.2%Municipal Vehicles 0.5%Waste 0.2%(2017 Baseline)Town of MedfieldCLIMATE CLIMATE TOMCAP@medfield.net ACTIOACTIO N PLANN PLAN Medfield is Planning for Decarbonizing Medfield voted to support a Net Zero 2050 Goal and to develop a Climate Action Plan to reach that goal (Town Meeting, May 2021). This public outreach effort by the Medfield Energy Committee (MEC) aims to inform and engage residents in developing the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP). What is Net Zero carbon emissions? The Medfield Net Zero 2050 goal is in line with Federal and Massachusetts goals and strategies. "Net Zero" means that we reduce most greenhouse gas emissions and offset the rest. Most reductions will be achieved through personal actions that are voluntary and make economic sense. What strategies are available to reduce our emissions significantly? Medfielders can remove the most carbon by driving an electric vehicle, installing a heat pump to heat and cool your home, reducing energy needs (insulation, high efficiency lighting and appliances) and supporting electricity made from renewable sources. When do I act? The best time to make low carbon choices is at natural transition points, such as when you need replace your car, upgrade your heating/cooling system, or renovate your home. Why “electrify everything”? Massachusetts has already moved away from coal-generated electricity. Our local grid is substantially less fossil-fuel intensive than previously and is mandated to continue to improve. The consensus path, at all levels, to continue to reduce carbon footprint is to “Electrify Everything”. Why buy an electric vehicle (EV)? In Medfield, the largest source of GHG gases is from our cars (42%). To significantly reduce our carbon footprint, most new cars will need to be electric. Starting in 2035, only EVs can be sold in Massachusetts. EVs are already quiet, clean, highly efficient, over all less expensive, require less maintenance, offer huge public health benefits and new options are becoming available. What about our homes? In Medfield, running our homes produces close to 40% of our carbon emissions. We can reduce our energy needs, use heat pumps for heating and cooling needs and shifting to renewables. 1. Get a free MassSave energy audit and use their incentives and rebates to insulate your home and get the highest efficient lighting and appliances. 2. Electrify your HVAC. Heat pumps are currently the most efficient technology for heating and cooling homes. MassSave offers substantial incentives for installing heat pumps. 3. Install solar panels directly or support solar installations through a community solar program. This can be profitable while supporting the transition to local renewable electricity. Want to get started? Find information & resources on the Action Portal at SustainableMedfield.org If you want to engage with the TOMCAP process, email us at TOMCAP@Medfield.net Where do Medfield’s carbon emissions come from? The MEC carried out a Greenhouse Gas Inventory of Medfield, pictured on the right. The vast majority of carbon emissions come from our cars and our homes (81%). Please take our informational questionnaire Use https://tinyurl.com/23tnp6vv to access the Questionnaire This fact sheet will be a handy companion to the questionnaire. Thank you! Medfield Emissions InventoryResidentialBuildings 39.1%PassengerVehicles 41.6%C&I Buildings and Manufacturing Industries 12.3% Municipal Buildings 3.0%Commercial Vehicles 1.6%Other 0.5%Wastewater Treatmentand Discharge1.2%Municipal Vehicles 0.5%Waste 0.2%(2017 Baseline)Town of MedfieldCLIMATE CLIMATE TOMCAP@medfield.net ACTIOACTIO N PLANN PLAN

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Posted in Energy Committee, TOMCAP

MEC questionnaire re TOMCAP

Posted on December 21, 2021 | Comments Off on MEC questionnaire re TOMCAP

From the Medfield Energy Committee re the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP). Get the questionnaire at https://tinyurl.com/23tnp6vv –

Medfield Plans to Decarbonize to Meet Our Net Zero by 2050 Goal The Medfield Energy Committee is asking all residents to complete a questionnaire so your thoughts, concerns and ideas can be included in the development of the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan TOMCAP. n After reading the fact sheet below you can access the questionnaire at https://tinyurl.com/23tnp6vv. n It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. n If you want to participate in the development of the TOMCAP please email us at TOMCAP@Medfield.net Please pass this on to friends and neighbors! This event is not sponsoreed or endosed by the Medfield Public Schools. Medfield Emissions InventoryResidentialBuildings 39.1%PassengerVehicles 41.6%C&I Buildings and Manufacturing Industries 12.3% Municipal Buildings 3.0%Commercial Vehicles 1.6%Other 0.5%Wastewater Treatmentand Discharge1.2%Municipal Vehicles 0.5%Waste 0.2%(2017 Baseline)Town of MedfieldCLIMATE CLIMATE TOMCAP@medfield.net ACTIOACTIO N PLANN PLAN Medfield is Planning for Decarbonizing Medfield voted to support a Net Zero 2050 Goal and to develop a Climate Action Plan to reach that goal (Town Meeting, May 2021). This public outreach effort by the Medfield Energy Committee (MEC) aims to inform and engage residents in developing the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP). What is Net Zero carbon emissions? The Medfield Net Zero 2050 goal is in line with Federal and Massachusetts goals and strategies. "Net Zero" means that we reduce most greenhouse gas emissions and offset the rest. Most reductions will be achieved through personal actions that are voluntary and make economic sense. What strategies are available to reduce our emissions significantly? Medfielders can remove the most carbon by driving an electric vehicle, installing a heat pump to heat and cool your home, reducing energy needs (insulation, high efficiency lighting and appliances) and supporting electricity made from renewable sources. When do I act? The best time to make low carbon choices is at natural transition points, such as when you need replace your car, upgrade your heating/cooling system, or renovate your home. Why “electrify everything”? Massachusetts has already moved away from coal-generated electricity. Our local grid is substantially less fossil-fuel intensive than previously and is mandated to continue to improve. The consensus path, at all levels, to continue to reduce carbon footprint is to “Electrify Everything”. Why buy an electric vehicle (EV)? In Medfield, the largest source of GHG gases is from our cars (42%). To significantly reduce our carbon footprint, most new cars will need to be electric. Starting in 2035, only EVs can be sold in Massachusetts. EVs are already quiet, clean, highly efficient, over all less expensive, require less maintenance, offer huge public health benefits and new options are becoming available. What about our homes? In Medfield, running our homes produces close to 40% of our carbon emissions. We can reduce our energy needs, use heat pumps for heating and cooling needs and shifting to renewables. 1. Get a free MassSave energy audit and use their incentives and rebates to insulate your home and get the highest efficient lighting and appliances. 2. Electrify your HVAC. Heat pumps are currently the most efficient technology for heating and cooling homes. MassSave offers substantial incentives for installing heat pumps. 3. Install solar panels directly or support solar installations through a community solar program. This can be profitable while supporting the transition to local renewable electricity. Want to get started? Find information & resources on the Action Portal at SustainableMedfield.org If you want to engage with the TOMCAP process, email us at TOMCAP@Medfield.net Where do Medfield’s carbon emissions come from? The MEC carried out a Greenhouse Gas Inventory of Medfield, pictured on the right. The vast majority of carbon emissions come from our cars and our homes (81%). Please take our informational questionnaire Use https://tinyurl.com/23tnp6vv to access the Questionnaire This fact sheet will be a handy companion to the questionnaire. Thank you! Medfield Emissions InventoryResidentialBuildings 39.1%PassengerVehicles 41.6%C&I Buildings and Manufacturing Industries 12.3% Municipal Buildings 3.0%Commercial Vehicles 1.6%Other 0.5%Wastewater Treatmentand Discharge1.2%Municipal Vehicles 0.5%Waste 0.2%(2017 Baseline)Town of MedfieldCLIMATE CLIMATE TOMCAP@medfield.net ACTIOACTIO N PLANN PLAN

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Posted in Climate, Energy Committee, Green

TOMCAP information and survey

Posted on October 19, 2021 | Comments Off on TOMCAP information and survey

From the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP), working group of the Medfield Energy Committee –

After reading the fact sheet below you can access the questionnaire at https://tinyurl.com/23tnp6vv.

Medfield Plans to Decarbonize to Meet Our Net Zero by 2050 Goal The Medfield Energy Committee is asking all residents to complete a questionnaire so your thoughts, concerns and ideas can be included in the development of the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan TOMCAP. n After reading the fact sheet below you can access the questionnaire at https://tinyurl.com/23tnp6vv. n It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. n If you want to participate in the development of the TOMCAP please email us at TOMCAP@Medfield.net Please pass this on to friends and neighbors! This event is not sponsoreed or endosed by the Medfield Public Schools. Medfield Emissions InventoryResidentialBuildings 39.1%PassengerVehicles 41.6%C&I Buildings and Manufacturing Industries 12.3% Municipal Buildings 3.0%Commercial Vehicles 1.6%Other 0.5%Wastewater Treatmentand Discharge1.2%Municipal Vehicles 0.5%Waste 0.2%(2017 Baseline)Town of MedfieldCLIMATE CLIMATE TOMCAP@medfield.net ACTIOACTIO N PLANN PLAN Medfield is Planning for Decarbonizing Medfield voted to support a Net Zero 2050 Goal and to develop a Climate Action Plan to reach that goal (Town Meeting, May 2021). This public outreach effort by the Medfield Energy Committee (MEC) aims to inform and engage residents in developing the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP). What is Net Zero carbon emissions? The Medfield Net Zero 2050 goal is in line with Federal and Massachusetts goals and strategies. "Net Zero" means that we reduce most greenhouse gas emissions and offset the rest. Most reductions will be achieved through personal actions that are voluntary and make economic sense. What strategies are available to reduce our emissions significantly? Medfielders can remove the most carbon by driving an electric vehicle, installing a heat pump to heat and cool your home, reducing energy needs (insulation, high efficiency lighting and appliances) and supporting electricity made from renewable sources. When do I act? The best time to make low carbon choices is at natural transition points, such as when you need replace your car, upgrade your heating/cooling system, or renovate your home. Why “electrify everything”? Massachusetts has already moved away from coal-generated electricity. Our local grid is substantially less fossil-fuel intensive than previously and is mandated to continue to improve. The consensus path, at all levels, to continue to reduce carbon footprint is to “Electrify Everything”. Why buy an electric vehicle (EV)? In Medfield, the largest source of GHG gases is from our cars (42%). To significantly reduce our carbon footprint, most new cars will need to be electric. Starting in 2035, only EVs can be sold in Massachusetts. EVs are already quiet, clean, highly efficient, over all less expensive, require less maintenance, offer huge public health benefits and new options are becoming available. What about our homes? In Medfield, running our homes produces close to 40% of our carbon emissions. We can reduce our energy needs, use heat pumps for heating and cooling needs and shifting to renewables. 1. Get a free MassSave energy audit and use their incentives and rebates to insulate your home and get the highest efficient lighting and appliances. 2. Electrify your HVAC. Heat pumps are currently the most efficient technology for heating and cooling homes. MassSave offers substantial incentives for installing heat pumps. 3. Install solar panels directly or support solar installations through a community solar program. This can be profitable while supporting the transition to local renewable electricity. Want to get started? Find information & resources on the Action Portal at SustainableMedfield.org If you want to engage with the TOMCAP process, email us at TOMCAP@Medfield.net Where do Medfield’s carbon emissions come from? The MEC carried out a Greenhouse Gas Inventory of Medfield, pictured on the right. The vast majority of carbon emissions come from our cars and our homes (81%). Please take our informational questionnaire Use https://tinyurl.com/23tnp6vv to access the Questionnaire This fact sheet will be a handy companion to the questionnaire. Thank you! Medfield Emissions InventoryResidentialBuildings 39.1%PassengerVehicles 41.6%C&I Buildings and Manufacturing Industries 12.3% Municipal Buildings 3.0%Commercial Vehicles 1.6%Other 0.5%Wastewater Treatmentand Discharge1.2%Municipal Vehicles 0.5%Waste 0.2%(2017 Baseline)Town of MedfieldCLIMATE CLIMATE TOMCAP@medfield.net ACTIOACTIO N PLANN PLAN

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Posted in Climate, Energy Committee, Planning

MEA/MEC forum on warrant articles – 7:30PM on 5/6

Posted on April 28, 2021 | Comments Off on MEA/MEC forum on warrant articles – 7:30PM on 5/6

From Helen Dewey of Medfield Environment Action –

Informational Webinar on Energy Committee Articles for Town Meeting Article 21: Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) CCA is a way of buying renewable electrical power in bulk for the town and its residents. Article 22: Net Zero Climate Goal for Medfield A Net Zero Climate Goal for Medfield will align with the State’s 2050 Net Zero Goal, will provide a target and engage the town and residents to collaboratively develop a plan to get there. Review of both Warrant Articles Thursday, May 6th at 7:30pm via Zoom Register in advance for this webinar here: Webinar Registration If you have not been able to attend any of the previous webinars this is for you! You will get all the pertinent information on both Articles and can ask all of your questions. Hosted by Medfield Environment Action & Medfield Energy Committee

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Posted in Energy Committee, Environmental, Events, Information, Medfield Environmental Action, Town Meeting

MSBA – please fund energy efficient schools

Posted on April 21, 2021 | 1 comment

As part of the celebration of Earth Day, I asked to have my signature as a Town of Medfield Select Board member added to the letter below, going to the MSBA tomorrow. Medfield Energy Committee members and other may join too. –

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

April 22, 2021

Deborah Goldberg, Chair
Anne Brockelman
Sean R. Cronin
Matt Deninger
Terry Kwan
Greg Sullivan
Sheila Vanderhoef

Via email to ______

Dear Treasurer Goldberg and members of the MSBA Board,

We are writing to encourage the MSBA to require that all school building projects funded by MSBA be fully electrified, and climate resilient.

The MSBA is to be commended for its track record of helping cities and towns replace or
renovate school buildings in an environmentally sustainable manner.

As your website notes,


The MSBA’s Green Schools Program provides incentives to a district to increase the
energy efficiency and sustainability for new construction and major renovation/addition
projects, by exceeding Massachusetts Energy base code by 20% for 2 additional
reimbursement points. All projects are required to register for the most recent version of
LEED-S or NE-CHPS and exceed Massachusetts Energy base code by 10%.

The MSBA’s updated Accelerated Repair Program provides a new opportunity to apply
sustainable standards to specific building systems such as roofs, boilers and window
systems. The MSBA’s green programs aim to encourage a high standard of
sustainability for all MSBA-funded projects. The MSBA continues to monitor the
effectiveness of its sustainable policies and make recommendations for
improvement, with an emphasis on energy and cost savings, resulting in direct
operational savings for school districts. [bold added]

As municipal leaders interested in speeding the transition away from fossil fuel dependency, we were particularly pleased to see the highlighted above, as it demonstrates an interest in continuous improvement in the area of sustainability and carbon emissions reduction. We are following up on your interest in improvement to encourage you to tie school building funding to the following requirements for all new or renovated schools:

  • Heat and cooling should be supplied by clean all-electric heating and cooling systems, not oil, propane, or gas-fueled systems.
  • Parking lots should offer electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for staff and/or visitors.
  • Schools built on or near historic wetlands or in floodplains should take into account
    precipitation modeling for 2070 and beyond; this may entail a raised structure or building in an alternate location.

How do these recommendations fit into the Commonwealth’s climate goals?

• Massachusetts has a greenhouse gas reduction mandate of 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and a commitment to be net zero by 2050; many cities and towns have more aggressive goals. The IPCC issued a report in 2018 noting that to keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius — a goal of the Paris climate agreement — anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions would have to be on a path to fall by about 45 percent by around 2030.
• Massachusetts also has a goal of 300,000 EVs on the road by 2025.œ As HVAC systems are built to last for at least 20-30 years, that means we must act now to eliminate this significant source of fossil fuel energy.
• The National Climate Assessment projects that the Northeast will see dramatic increases in precipitation and flooding.

Why is all-electric the more environmentally beneficial choice? Under state law, the electric grid is powered by an increasing amount of renewable energy every year. In contrast, an oil or gas boiler is running on fossil fuels from day one until the day it is retired.

School building electrification is not a new concept. In fact, schools across the state are
converting to 100% clean electricity to save money, improve air quality for students, teachers and staff, and advance climate goals.
• Lincoln is about to break ground on a Net Zero K-8 renovation school project.
• Wellesley has one net zero ready elementary school in the design phase and is in the feasibility phase of a second.
• Brookline passed a Warrant Article in May 2019 requiring that all new school buildings be fossil fuel free.
• Westborough has approved and is moving forward with a net-positive energy elementary school.
• Arlington is about to break ground on a new all-electric high school where heating and cooling systems will utilize heat pumps.
• Several Cambridge schools have been rebuilt all-electric: Martin Luther King School, King Open School and the Cambridge Street Upper School, as well as the Valente Branch Library and a new administrative building for the entire school department; the Tobin/Vassal-lane school will be rebuilt all-electric.
• Construction is underway on the new Belmont Middle and High School which will be net zero and all-electric with heating and cooling by a geothermal heat pump system.
• Amherst passed a bylaw in 2017 requiring zero energy new municipal and school buildings.
• Concord is at the end of Feasibility for a net zero design for a new middle school and expects to start Schematic Design in the next few months (there was a CV-related delay).
• Lexington’s Select Board and School Committee adopted a building policy calling for construction of all-electric buildings, maximizing onsite renewable energy, and setting high standards for indoor air quality. Lexington’s Hastings Elementary School and Lexington Children’s Place pre-school are both expected to be net positive buildings when the solar energy systems that have been approved are completed later this year.

Energy efficient all electric schools are cost-effective to build and operate, while providing a healthier and safer learning environment for students and teachers alike.

Schools built on wetlands are more likely to suffer from mold and poor air quality, and need expensive repairs, especially as our region sees more frequent and intense rainfall.

Thank you for your consideration of our views. From the Green Communities Program to the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program to the Complete Streets grants and more, we are so appreciative of the Commonwealth’s partnership in supporting cities and towns efforts to advance our transition to a clean economy and make our communities more resilient as we face a changing climate. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you in more detail about these recommendations and help you build support to enact them.

Sincerely,

Amherst
Darcy Dumont, Town Council, District 5
Dorothy S. Pam, Town Council, District 3
Patricia De Angelis, Town Councilor

Andover
Maria Bartlett, Member of Green Advisory Board

Arlington
Joseph A. Curro, Jr., Select Board Member
Adam Chapdelaine, Town Manager

Ashland
Robert Scherer, Select Board Member

Barnstable
Gordon Starr, Town Councilor, Precinct 1

Becket
Alvin Blake, Planning Board

Bolton
Jonathan Keep, Select Board Member

Boston
Kenzie Bok, City Councilor
Annissa Essaibi-George, City Councilor (At-Large)
Ed Flynn, City Councilor
Matt O’Malley, City Councilor

Braintree
Julia Flaherty, Town Council, District 1
Kelly J. Cobb-Lemire, School Committee Member

Brookline
Raul Fernandez, Select Board Member
Werner Lohe, Climate Action Committee (co-chair)

Burlington
Martha Simon, School Committee Member

Cambridge
Patricia Nolan, City Councilor
Quinton Zondervan, City Councilor

Concord
Charles Parker, Middle School Building Committee Member

Dalton
Robert Bishop, Select Board Chair
Cheryl Rose, Conservation Commission
Henry Rose, Commissioner, Conservation Commission
Joseph Fish, Chair, Green Dalton Committee

Dedham
Jessica Portee, Planning Board Member

Framingham
Geoff Epstein, School Committee Member, District 6

Gloucester
Jennifer Holmgren, Councilor-at-Large

Hopkinton
Jeffrey S Barnes, Conservation Commission (Chair)
Lakeville
Jesse L. Medford, Open Space Committee (Chair)

Lawrence
Jonathan Guzman, School Committee Member – District F

Lexington
Mark Sandeen, Select Board Member

Marlborough
Samantha Perlman, City Councilor

Medford
Zac Bears, City Councilor
Nicole Morell, City Councilor
Paul Ruseau, School Committee Member
Jenny Graham, School Committee

Newton
Susan Albright, City Council President
Alicia Bowman, City Councilor
Deb Crossley, City Councilor
Andreae Downs, City Councilor
Maria Scibelli Greenberg, City Councilor
Bill Humphrey, City Councilor
David Kalis, City Councilor
Josh Krintzman, City Councilor
Marc Laredo, City Councilor
Rick Lipof, City Council Vice President
Julia Malakie, City Councilor
Chris Markiewicz, City Councilor
Emily Norton, City Councilor
John Oliver, City Councilor
Holly Ryan, City Councilor

Northampton
Bill Dwight, City Councilor at Large
Alex Jarrett, City Councilor
Karen Foster, City Councilor, Ward 2
Susan Voss, School Committee Member
Chris Mason, Energy & Sustainability Officer

Pittsfield
Mary Stucklen, Commissioner – Green Commission

Reading
Vanessa Alvarado, Select Board Member

Somerville
Will Mbah, City Councilor
Ben Ewen-Campen, City Councilor
Katjana Ballantyne, City Councilor
Kristen Strezo, City Councilor-at-Large

Taunton
Phillip Duarte, City Councilor

Wakefield
Mehreen N. Butt, Town Councilor
Julie Smith-Galvin, Town Councilor
Susan Veilleux, School Committee Member
Rob Darnell, Environmental Sustainability Committee (Chair)
Mary Hajjar, Environmental Sustainability Committee (Vice Chair)
Robin Greenberg, Environmental Sustainability Committee
Jennifer Kallay, Gas & Light Board Commissioner
Elizabeth Sheridan, ESC Student Liaison

Watertown
Caroline Bays, Town Councilor
Angeline B. Kounelis, Town Councilor
Tony Palomba, Councilor-at-Large

Wellesley
Lise Olney, Select Board Member

Williamstown
Anne O’Connor, Select Board Member

Winchester
Michael Bettencourt, Select Board (Chair)

1 Comment

Posted in Energy Committee, Green, Schools, State

Earth Day letter from MEC

Posted on April 20, 2021 | Comments Off on Earth Day letter from MEC

Fellow Medfielders,

As we recognize Earth Day 2021, global responsibility is clearer than ever, and local action more urgent than ever.

Some Medfielders have already made the transition, but now all households need to go EV, HP, PV:Subscribe

  • EV: for anyone who must own a car, start driving Electric when it is time to buy the next Vehicle.
  • HP: when the boiler or furnace starts to fail, go electric with a HeatPump system.
  • PV: putting PhotoVoltaics on the roof is a very profitable step.

For each of these decarbonizing steps, yes, there are considerations, as with any change. But, the transition is not usually particularly burdensome, and often is surprisingly advantageous.

The three steps are the transition to low-carbon that is needed. Beyond them, there are indeed many other wonderful things Medfielders can and should do to benefit the environment. But
taking any of these three steps, by far, will have the largest climate impact. These steps are also absolutely essential to meeting local, state, national, and global climate goals. And, no
one is likely going to force anyone to take them.

Literally, it is up to us.

Medfield Energy Committee (MEC) and Medfield Environment Action (MEA) are recommending passage of a number of key Warrant Articles at Town Meeting aimed to responsibly help accelerate the decarbonization transition locally. Your support will be appreciated.https://f58f435f01693e6841d462c24030fa4b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

It should also be mentioned that an unexpected outcome, after a year of Covid quarantining, is that we each now have a better idea of what other carbon-reducing efforts will work for us, in our
post-pandemic lives. Awful as it has been, we have learned what might help us come-back-carbon-better.

Medfielders making these careful and caring consumer choices is exactly what is necessary to prevent the worst climate cataclysm for our children and grandchildren.

It’s what will make for a great Earth Day.

Sincerely,

Fred Davis, Chair – Medfield Energy Committee

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Posted in Energy Committee