Towns take initiative to go green
Reining in greenhouse gas emissions has long been a goal of environmentalists, who contend that dangerously high carbon-dioxide levels could irrevocably alter the face of the Earth as we know it.
As the scientific community comes to a consensus that humans are causing the phenomenon known as global warming, local governments and grass-roots groups have begun taking up the fight to reduce the reliance on carbon-based fuels.
From Medford to Needham to Chelmsford, communities across the region are taking responsibility for their consumption of fossil fuels. Many of these cities and towns are cutting back by installing more efficient light bulbs, boilers, and air-conditioning units in public buildings.
Others have taken bigger steps that include creating plans that set goals for reducing greenhouse gases by reducing traffic, promoting energy-efficient home appliances, and raising awareness.
The movement has gained steam over the last three years, said Kim Lundgren, Northeast regional director of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, an international association of local governments dedicated to climate protection. Three years ago, ICLEI, or the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, had about 150 members nationally, she said. Today, the organization has approximately 400.
"Because we haven't had that action at the federal level, the local governments have been forced to develop the programs that cut back greenhouse gases," Lundgren said. "Local governments are where the action is."
In the Boston area, more than 30 communities - including Arlington, Cambridge, Hingham, Newton, Reading, and Waltham have joined ICLEI and pledged to take steps to reduce their carbon emissions.
In Lexington, Town Meeting members recently passed a resolution recognizing the threat that greenhouse gases pose to the environment and economy. The Board of Selectmen will also petition President Bush and Governor Deval Patrick, as well as the town's state and federal representatives, to enact legislation to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions.
Reading residents have created an action plan that lays out a series of initiatives the town and community members can take to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent over the next four years. The plan calls for establishing a shuttle bus service in the town, creating bicycle lanes, and building new sidewalks for pedestrians, said Michele Benson, chairwoman of the Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection.
Part of the goal is to demonstrate to residents how seemingly small measures such as shutting off computers and lights can help protect the environment, Benson said.
On the municipal side, officials have been advocating for changes to the state building codes to mandate better energy and resource efficiency, according to Reading Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner.
"There should be overall federal and state policy direction . . . but this is largely lacking," Hechenbleikner stated in a release. "The leadership on this issue [is coming] solely from the local government."
Many environmental activists fault the federal government for taking too long to enact fuel-efficiency standards and say Congress's latest attempt - the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 - has not gone far enough to curb greenhouse gas emissions. That law, which raises average fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon, has been criticized for failing to actively promote alternative energy sources such wind turbines and solar panels.
Winchester officials also have taken on several projects designed to reduce energy consumption that are as simple as reminding employees to shut off their computers and lights for the night, said LeeAnn McGahan, business manager of the town's Department of Public Works.
The town established in 2006 an energy management policy that directs employees to report overly warm or excessively cold conditions in office buildings and classrooms. The policy also sets heating and cooling standards. During the winter, the thermostat should not be set above 66 degrees. In the summer, it can't go below 76 degrees.
Much of the work being done at the local level can have an impact not only on the environment but also on the town's budgets, especially now that energy costs are rising rapidly. North Reading officials formed about six months ago an ad hoc energy committee to find areas where the town could become more fuel-efficient and avoid such high energy bills.
The committee is looking at each of the town's buildings to see where energy is leaking and what can be done about it, said Selectman Michael Harris.
rising
falling 