Agriculture and Forestry Sector
Promote Tree Planting and Maintenance
When the majority of the urban surface area is covered by heat-absorbing buildings, concrete and roads, the result is the "heat island effect"-higher temperatures experienced in urban areas compared with surrounding suburbs. Trees and plants are a counterbalance to the heat island effect. Groundwork Somerville's mission is to build a sustainable community through teaching skills, such as tree planting and maintenance, to residents who will then create healthy neighborhoods. The Commission supports Groundwork Somerville in activities that add shade trees and other plant life to the city.
Implementing Commercial Energy Efficiency Measures
Somerville seeks to foster communication between small commercial and industrial establishments and representatives from NSTAR and its installation contracting firm (Harris Energy) to increase participation in NSTAR's Small Commercial & Industrial Retrofit Program (also known as the "Small Business Services" program). At least 10% of Somerville small businesses will undertake some type of retrofit by 2010. The plan includes a projection for 2010 commercial emissions (216,864 tons) and assumes a steady annual rate of decrease (0.157% decrease per year) from 1997 to 2010, an estimate that 2003 commercial CO2 emissions equal roughly 219,300 tons. Each business will have different emissions reduction opportunities. One way in which this can be accomplished is through energy efficiency programs already set in place by local utilities. NSTAR offers programs that promote energy efficiency, provide free energy audits, and offer low-cost installation of energy efficiency upgrades to commercial lighting fixtures, electronic building controls, heating and cooling, and other mechanical equipment. These programs include a Retrofit Program targeted to small businesses (those with annual average monthly demand of less than 100 KW electricity) in which NSTAR will pay for up to 80% of total project costs, and a Retrofit Program for larger businesses in which NSTAR will pay for up to 50% of total project costs. NSTAR also offers programs for larger businesses focusing on particular energy consuming equipment (e.g., motors, air conditioning, compressed air systems, et al). For motors, qualifying commercial and industrial customers can purchase a NEMA premium qualifying motor for approximately the same cost as a standard EPAct efficiency motor through NSTAR's MotorUp program.
Promote Green Practices in New Construction and Renovation
Project managers will be encouraged to adopt "green building" practices for new construction and during renovation of existing Somerville commercial and industrial buildings through an incentive based zoning and permitting process, implemented by 2004. At least 10% of new buildings or renovations should follow recommended practices by 2007 and 20% by 2010. The steps toward this goal include the following: requiring project managers for all new or renovated commercial and industrial buildings in Somerville to fill out a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating score sheet; providing builders and designers with information on green building practices and green building consultants in the area who can assist in filling out the LEED score sheet; recommending that all new or renovated commercial and industrial large development projects (over 50,000 square feet) in Somerville meet a LEED silver rating and have a minimum of three points in the energy section; giving permitting priority and reducing permit processing time for buildings that meet or exceed a LEED silver rating and have a minimum of three points in the energy section; giving special consideration for variances in zoning requirements (i.e. building density, green space, parking), within the limits of the planning board's powers, to buildings that meet or exceed a LEED silver rating and have a minimum of three points in the energy section. Greenhouse gas emissions will depend on standards chosen during the building process and the extent to which adopted measures are improvements over baseline levels. Somerville feels confident in saying, however, that reductions will be significant.
Cross-Sectoral or Other Sector
Implement a Municipal Green Procurement Policy
The adoption and implementation of a municipal green (environmentally friendly and/or energy efficient) procurement policy will ensure that newly purchased items have the greatest energy efficiency for their intended use. A procurement policy that commits the City of Somerville to energy efficiency will produce important environmental and economic benefits and should be adopted immediately. More efficient alternatives should be considered for such major purchases as the city fleet of vehicles and transportation contracts, as well as for day-to day purchases such as exterior and interior lighting, equipment, and appliances. Control systems should also be considered to improve the efficiency of electrical appliances, vending machines, and overhead lights. Somerville has a good record in purchasing ENERGY STAR computers to minimize energy consumption. Expanded municipal procurement of ENERGY STAR appliances such as air conditioners, televisions and refrigerators will cut down on emissions and operating expenses. Adoption of a green procurement policy will help to continually cut the greenhouse gas emissions in Somerville.
Power Generation Sector
Initiate a Green Sanctuary Program
The program seeks to make houses of worship more energy efficient, both by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings in which congregations meet and by encouraging congregants to take energy efficiency measures in their own homes. The short-term goal for 2003 was to have one congregation to sign up for the Interfaith Power and Light (IP&L) program. The medium-term goal is to have 20% of congregations in Somerville (approximately six) to sign up for the program by 2007. The long-term goal is to have 10% of congregants in each participating congregation commit to energy efficiency measures at home by 2007. The Green Sanctuary Movement is taking hold in various communities around the country. IP&L will implement this program in conjunction with members of the Commission and/or Somerville Climate Action. The Conservation Services Group (CSG) will conduct energy audits of houses of worship participating in the program. Congregations will follow through with recommended renovations. Participating houses of worship will receive public recognition and other congregations will be encouraged to join the program
Establish a Program of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Retrofits in Municipal Buildings
Energy and conservation retrofits should be implemented in order to reduce consumption of fossil fuels (such as heating oil and natural gas), electricity, and water. Retrofits include upgrades of HVAC systems, lighting systems, boilers, and chillers; other examples are the installation of low flow faucet fixtures, replacement of incandescent exit sign lights with LED's, occupancy sensors, and electricity- saving devices for vending machines. Measures that pay for themselves in a relatively short time-such as one to five years-should be implemented as soon as possible. Other priority retrofits, offering a longer horizon for returns on investment, should be considered once a building inventory and cost/benefit analysis have been completed for each building. Somerville believes retrofits could be identified that would reduce emissions from individual buildings by 10% to 20% before 2010. To assess the state of all municipal buildings and their varying levels of efficiency, a thorough building inventory needs to be completed.
Residential Sector
Launch and Promote the "Somerville Sees the Light" Campaign
The goal of "Somerville Sees the Light" is to convert the equivalent of one incandescent bulb per household to an energy-efficient compact florescent lightbulb (CFL) within one year. Somerville Climate Action will undertake a widespread media campaign to educate Somerville residents about CFLs, to promote their availability in the community, and to promote their use. The projected greenhouse gas emissions reduction, assuming one bulb per household in Somerville is changed to a CFL, is approximately 1,000 tons CO2 per year. Some implementations steps are listed as follows: design and produce outreach materials for Somerville, coordinating with Medford and Salem, including fliers, point-of-purchase displays, posters, bumper stickers; research funding sources and write grant proposals; seek endorsement of Mayor and Board of Alderman; get press coverage; write an article for the Somerville Journal, work through affinity groups such as churches, schools, community gardens, etc.; and work with realtors on welcome package for new Somerville residents.
Promote Home Insulation
Home heating consumes more energy than any other activity in the residential sector. Insulating a home can save up to 30% of the energy consumed for heating and air conditioning. Many homeowners are not aware of the cost effectiveness of home insulation and do not know that there are rebates available from NSTAR for many types of home insulation. The Commission could perform a valuable outreach function by educating Somerville residents about the issue and distribute information about utility-sponsored rebate programs.
Outreach to First-time Home-buyer Programs
The Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) sponsors courses for first-time home buyers and has agreed to allow the Commission to address the participants about home insulation and energy conservation. An outline of the presentation has already been accepted by OHCD for the next course. If the presentation is successful, the Commission may try to address other groups of first-time home-buyers, as well as realtors, who could highlight the value of insulated homes to potential buyers.
Transportation Sector
Promote Walk to School Programs
"Shape up Somerville" is a three-year project through the Tufts University School of Nutrition aimed at helping Somerville parents and children learn strategies to avoid obesity and its associated health risks. The Tufts team will look for ways to create safe walking routes to the city's 10 elementary schools to increase students' daily physical activity. The Commission supports this and other activities that train young people to use their own power rather than relying on cars for transportation.
Promote Use of Bicycles as Primary Vehicles
The City of Somerville should promote the use of bicycles as primary vehicles by commuters and residents and should implement education programs in schools and businesses to promote the safe use of bicycles and to raise awareness of the rights and responsibilities of cyclists in and around Somerville. These programs should include primers on state and city traffic laws as they apply to bicycles, in order to encourage cooperative relationships between drivers and cyclists in
Somerville. In addition, programs should be instituted to more clearly mark Somerville city streets and bike lanes; to encourage synergistic use of bicycles and buses and trains; to raise awareness among individuals and business owners as to the needs of bicycle users in Somerville; to install bike racks and locking rings in heavy traffic areas of the city; and to revise zoning rules requiring that there be bicycle access to developed areas. Finally, Somerville should continue work on the planned bike path extension. There are five distinct projects within this action item: bikepath extension, community education programs, installation of locking rings and bike racks in high traffic areas, lining and maintenance of roads, and modification of city zoning rules to improve bicycle access
Waste Sector