| Local Policy Description: | Local Energy Efficiency Code-Municipal Buildings
The code for the City of Medford is the same as the State and applies to the residential and commercial sectors. However, the City could also consider developing its own regulatory or voluntary green building code that would require enhanced energy efficiency design in all new structures or substantial additions.
The City can develop a local energy efficient building code-detailing the use of insulation, double paned windows, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and other efficiency measures, as well as the use of renewable energy sources. This code could be a supplement for the Energy Efficiency Code of Massachusetts, detailing more specific information for residents in Medford. If adopted, this program would require all new municipal buildings to meet or exceed both the State and local
efficiency codes.
Annual Energy Audits
The City of Medford should conduct annual energy audits in each of the municipal buildings. The City should rate each of the buildings based on the level of efficiency and assign a priority to each in order to update all buildings with the most efficient technology feasible. Additionally, the efficiency retrofits should be coordinated into a time schedule to ensure the completion of all retrofits within a specified time frame.
As part of these energy audits the City should examine potential renewable energy sources. This should include an evaluation of the economic feasibility of converting existing buildings to realistically available renewable energy sources. Any new municipal buildings should be required to utilize a renewable energy source for at least one energy use: heating, electricity, or hot water, or for 35% of total energy use per building.
Local Energy Efficiency Code-Commercial & Industrial
To encourage energy efficiency and emissions reductions within the commercial and industrial sectors, the City could require all new commercial and industrial buildings meet strict energy efficiency standards. These standards should be detailed in the new City Building Code created through the acceptance of this Climate Action Plan (refer to Section IV of this report). To aid in the compliance of the new energy code, the City should develop a local energy efficient building
guidebook-detailing the use of insulation, double paned windows, compact fluorescent light bulbs, utilizing renewable energy sources, and other efficiency measures. This guidebook should also contain information on grant money available to anyone who pursues such measures. One possible requirement for new commercial and industrial buildings in Medford is the installation of a light-colored roof in order to lower energy costs in the summer from air conditioning. Additionally, each commercial and industrial building could be required to utilize a renewable energy source for at least one energy use: heating, electricity, or hot water, or for 35% of total energy use.
Public Education Campaign for the Environment
The City of Medford should conduct a public education campaign that educates the community on climate change and the impacts individual activities can have. A successful campaign will consist of mass mailings to residences and businesses, City events, and educational programming on local cable access television.
School Curriculum
The City should seek to establish a climate change program within the science curriculum for the elementary, middle, and high schools. The City is currently in possession of programs created by other agencies which can be used in this capacity. Additionally, Medford should foster the reformation of an Environmental Club within the school system to provide a forum for environmental education and extracurricular activities.
Partnering with Community Groups
The City of Medford and the Medford Energy Task Force should consider partnering with local community groups to conduct local events which provide information to residents and businesses on how to be more energy efficient and how to reduce personal greenhouse gas emissions. These partnerships will assist Medford in reaching its reduction targets as well as create a greater sense of community and responsibility among those involved.
Encourage Neighboring Cities to Join CCP Campaign
The City of Medford recognizes its commitment to reduce emissions can only go so far on its own. In addition to educating Medford residents and businesses, it will be important to encourage neighboring cities, such as Malden and Everett to join the CCP campaign. Medford is willing to take a leadership role in encouraging other cities in the metropolitan Boston area to recognize the climate change problem and to commit to reducing their own emissions. Neighboring Arlington and Somerville have already made the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by signing on to the CCP campaign in 2000 and 2001, respectively. A considerable amount of land in Medford is owned by the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). The City of Medford should also consider working with this entity to reduce their emissions, particularly in the areas of fleet and street lighting.
A number of streetlights in Medford are owned by the MDC and many of these are still mercury vapor lights. Conversion of streetlights to high-pressure sodium lights, conversion of fleet, and general education on climate change will be essential topics to introduce to the MDC for consideration on their property in Medford.
Hire an Energy Efficiency Coordinator
The City of Medford should strive to incorporate energy efficient measures throughout every department and facet of municipal operations. The City should consider hiring a full-time Energy Efficiency Coordinator (EEC) who will be charged with the following:
Maintain the Emissions Inventory
The EEC must maintain the CCP software and conduct an emissions inventory update once a year. The EEC should receive copies of all heating and electricity bills for each municipal department in order to successfully quantify reduction measures.
Director of the Public Education Campaign for the Environment
The EEC will be charged with organizing programs for the community in order to educate them on energy efficiency, the potential for renewable energy sources, and other issues related to climate change. This will include integrating a climate change curriculum into the public school system.
Head the Energy Task Force
The EEC will be charged with heading the Medford Energy Task Force. The Task Force has already begun and should continue to conduct regular projects on energy efficiency within the City and host events throughout the City.
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