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[personal profile] mem_winterhill
Via the "Sustainaville" monthly newsletter from the city:

It has been just over one year since Somerville Climate Forward was released and departments across the City have been hard at work implementing the priority actions identified in Somerville's community climate action plan. We are thrilled to report progress in each of the thirteen priority action areas of the plan. The new progress report summarizes work completed over the past year and provides a preview of what is underway for 2020. We are committed to completing annual reports of our progress towards our ambitious climate goals.

Some highlights from the past year include:

  • Over $500,000 of the Fiscal Year 2020 budget was dedicated to implementing Climate Forward priorities.
  • The Office of Sustainability and Environment added a new Energy Manager position, growing the office to 4 full-time staff.
  • The City's Engineering Department developed a detailed stormwater model of the city and used it to understand what parts of the city are likely to flood during storms today and with the changing climate in the future.
  • The 2020 Somerville Community Choice Electricity program doubles the additional amount of renewable electricity in the standard option from 5% to 10% above the state requirement.
  • Somerville’s first bi-directional bus lanes were installed on Broadway and over 4 miles of bike facilities were installed throughout the city.

You can download and read the full report at somervillema.gov/climateforward.

mem_winterhill: (Default)
[personal profile] mem_winterhill
A good piece about a greener option, and how we are actually making progress in Somerville on this. 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/save-the-planet-and-money-at-the-same-time/

Save the planet and money at the same time
Renewables now; natural gas is not a bridge fuel

Starting New Years’ Day, 26 percent of the electricity used in Somerville will be generated from renewable sources. That’s up from 20 percent in 2019. The share of renewables will rise to 30 percent in 2022 and we should be above 50 percent before the end of the next decade. What’s even more notable is the cost to local ratepayers will be 15 percent lower than Eversource’s standard residential rate. You’re reading this correctly; we are increasing our share of renewable energy and lowering consumer costs at the same time.
 
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[personal profile] mem_winterhill
HeatSmart CoolSmart SomervilleThis energy efficiency program for this nifty space-age heating/cooling devices was extended through Feburary 15 2018. If your heating system is on the downslope, keep this program in mind. I had mine installed yesterday and I think it's amazing. And I can't wait until summer when I don't have to put in that awful window air conditioner again!

HeatSmart/CoolSmart Somerville: https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/programs/somerville-energy-efficiency-now-seen/heatsmart-coolsmart-somerville

Right now there are some serious rebates around, and the 0% interest heat loan program too.

But the most amazing thing is how quiet it is. Compared to my hissy old steam radiators and clanging pipes--wow.

Also, since I have solar and a bit of extra capacity, this will take a lot of the burden off my natural gas furnace and use my spare electrons. This will save me carbon and money. 

Please join us for the final Heat Pumps 101 Workshop next Tuesday, February 6 at 9 New Washington Street, Somerville. Doors and refreshments at 6:30 pm, presentation at 7:00 pm. Limited on-site parking is available. Learn about heat pumps, check out a few of your neighbor’s installs, and have your questions answered by City-staff and installers.




Below the jump I'll illustrate my installation with photos. Feel free to ask me questions and I'll tell you what I know. But dammit, Jim, I'm a biologist not a physicist. Some of the heavy technical details you should check with the companies that are part of the program.

Read more... )
mem_winterhill: (Default)
[personal profile] mem_winterhill
HeatSmart CoolSmart SomervilleIn order to move us towards our city's NetZero energy and emissions goals, a new program has just been launched by the city. HeatSmart/CoolSmart will offer heat pump systems for residents with this incentive program described here: http://www.somervillema.gov/departments/programs/heatsmartcoolsmart-somerville

It's like the Solarize campaign I ran as "coach" last year--but this time it's not as expensive a fix, and it doesn't matter what orientation or condition your roof is in.

There's a coach for this too--Molly--who will kick off the whole thing with an event on Aug 22. You can get a program overview and details there. http://www.somervillema.gov/events/2017/08/22/heatsmartcoolsmart-kick

There are big rebates and loans as part of this. So don't be daunted by the costs at first--have someone come and evaluate your situation and see if it's right for you.

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