TOWN OF STOUGHTON ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE KICK OFF MEETING

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1 TOWN OF STOUGHTON ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE KICK OFF MEETING October 8, 2009

2 Stoughton Energy and Sustainability Committee Goals What the Federal Government is Doing What the State is Doing What Other Towns are Doing What We Can Do

3 WHY ARE WE HERE? GOALS Create a volunteer committee to work with and on behalf of the town to: Reduce fossil fuel energy use Save Town and residents money Reduce carbon emissions Improve town air quality Improve energy security/reduce reliance on foreign oil Align town s actions with residents beliefs People want to do the right thing When your grandchildren ask what did you do? You will have an answer.

4 What is the federal government doing? Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) to 35 miles per gallon by model year Total energy use in federal buildings relative to the 2005 level be reduced 30% by For new federal buildings fossil-fuel energy use relative to the 2003 level be reduced 55% by 2010 and be eliminated (100% reduction) by Prohibits federal agencies from leasing buildings that have not earned an EPA Energy Star label. A grant program for Healthy High-Performance Schools to encourage states, local governments, and school systems to build green schools.

5 What is the federal government doing? Copenhagen Agreement - December 7-18, 2009 The legally binding Kyoto Protocol which governs carbon emissions expires in The next phase of action will be created and decided on in Copenhagen. Goals include: Agree to GHG emission reduction targets for industrialized and developing countries. Define financing to help the developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the inevitable effects of climate change. After the preparatory phases contained in the Kyoto Protocol, the Copenhagen Agreement is intended to be strong enough to avert irreversible climate changes.

6 What is Massachusetts doing? SOME STATE PROGRAMS Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - first cap and trade market for power sector in U.S. Members are 6 New England states, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, & New York. Will require a 10 percent reduction in CO 2 emissions by Green Communities Act of 2008 Supports the development of renewable energy resources Creates a new greener state building code Removes barriers to renewable energy installations Created the Green Communities Program providing Massachusetts cities and towns with energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities. Global Warming Solutions Act (2008) Commits Massachusetts to reduce statewide emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by Includes requirement for preparation of an estimate of GHG emissions in 1990 to serve as a baseline.

7 What are other towns doing? EASTON GREEN COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE Mission: To help educate the Town of Easton on clean energy options and measures that can be implemented to reduce energy use, conserve resources and reduce emissions; to assist in the development of cost effective projects on municipal facilities to reduce energy and resource use and develop renewable energy resources; and to promote awareness of new technologies and their potential impact on energy use and resource conservation. Membership: Seven (7) persons to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen: A member of the Board of Selectmen, A member of the School Committee, An employee of the Town of Easton with energy monitoring experience, A student from the Oliver Ames High School Three at-large members

8 What are other towns doing? Milton Evaluating the installation by the town of one or two 400 foot, 2.0 megawatt Wind Turbines at closed landfill $4 million each Will produce $700,000 of electricity / year (6 year simple payback) Soliciting bids to install solar photovoltaic array on town hall roof

9 U.S. Conference of Mayors Prepared a "Climate Protection Agreement" in As of 2009, 985 U.S. mayors have signed, including the mayors of: Boston Weymouth New Bedford Hull Brockton What are other towns doing? These mayors pledge to support anti-sprawl land-use policies, urban forest restoration projects, public information campaigns, and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in their cities by at least 7% by 2012.

10 What are other towns doing? 38 Massachusetts municipalities have Joined ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability (formerly International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives) Some nearby ICLEI member municipalities : Boston Hingham Bridgewater Brookline Carver Dedham Kingston Marshfield Milton Quincy

11 ICLEI-USA A national non-profit devoted to helping cities and towns implement local environmental initiatives 54% of member municipalities have population of 50,000 and less Holds quarterly member meetings throughout state Requires one elected official and one town staff member to be involved ICLEI-USA support includes helping towns to calculate their greenhouse gas inventory. Determining a town's current emissions is an important first step. That way, when future reductions in greenhouse gases are made - for example through conservation or improved energy efficiency - the town is able to document the improvements.

12 ICLEI-USA Member: Wellesley COMPLETED A WELL ORGANIZED SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS (Feb 2009): Green Ribbon Committee developed a baseline inventory of energy use and GHG emissions within the town Researched other towns energy actions plans Developed proposed greenhouse gas reduction target of 10% reduction from 2007 levels by 2013 TO DO: Develop a town energy action plan ( How to reach target ) Implementation Measurement What are other towns doing?

13 What are other towns doing? Wellesley - Significant Findings: 415,000 tons of greenhouse gases emitted within Wellesley per year 33% are produced by commercial sector 32% by Residences 32% by Transportation Only 3% from municipal sources (including waste disposal)

14 What are other towns doing? Falmouth, Maine Also has Green Ribbon Committee Recently completed Draft Climate Action Plan (July 2009) Completed a GHG Inventory in 2008 for the year ,000 tons CO 2 emitted within town Residential 23% Commercial 8% Transportation 68% Government 2% Climate Action Plan Includes numerous recommendations with action priority for each: A = Can and should be done immediately B = Proceed with further analysis and details C = Create standing committee to implement

15 Stoughton Energy and Sustainability Committee Goal: To reduce fossil fuel energy use and GHG production in Stoughton Committee of Volunteers Coordinate with Board of Selectmen via Selectman Anzivino Recommend start with ICLEI-USA five step process: Document current energy use within town (GHG Inventory) Set proposed goals for reduction Develop Energy Conservation Plan Implement Plan Measure Results

16 WHAT WE CAN DO Select small number of tasks to focus on - matching interests of members - for example: Prepare a town GHG inventory: determine oil, gas, and electricity use and corresponding GHG emissions in Stoughton Summary of on-going actions and programs in Stoughton Summary of on-going actions in neighboring and comparable towns Research and summarize available funding and other support for actions within town Develop web page for Town Website

17 WHAT WILL WE ACCOMPLISH? Reduce energy use Save Town and residents money Reduce carbon emissions Improve town air quality Align town s actions with residents beliefs

18 First Steps Review Falmouth, ME draft report prior to next meeting Set next meeting date Return with ideas Consensus Divide up tasks Start!

19 Thanks to Selectman John Anzivino and The Stoughton Board of Selectmen

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