Your latest local news on sustainability and climate change action!

IN THIS ISSUE

Earth Day: Framinghammers take action!
Third Act: An interview with Larry Stoodt
BRIEFS: Community garden plots, Geothermal update, Main Streets Small Business Program returns,
YMCA and Temple Beth Am go solar to make ends meet
Upcoming events
In the news

Earth Day 2023: Get your climate action on!

Everyone can do something! Start with one action – and when you do, share your story on Facebook or Instagram and tag it #FraminghamClimateAction!

Buying an electric vehicle: Jenny Allen & Willie Sordillo

Jenny and Willie thought an electric car (EV) would be too expensive, but an expected grandchild in southern New Hampshire changed their mind: They would be spending a lot more time in their car and didn’t want to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The 100-mile round-trip visits are worry-free in their new Chevy Bolt EV – a “perky little car” with “great acceleration” and room to fold down the back seats for cargo. They paid around $32,000 for the vehicle in November 2022. They did not qualify for a federal tax credit, but Chevrolet sweetened the deal by paying for a charger in their driveway. Chevrolet’s offer, “Home installation charging on us,” covers standard installation of a Level 2 (240-volt) charging outlet for eligible customers with the purchase or lease of a 2023 Bolt EUV or Bolt EV.

If you’re considering buying an EV, do check whether you qualify for a federal tax credit, which can be as much as $7,500, and look into the $3,500 Massachusetts rebate. Full details on our Drive Electric action, and more on Framingham’s Electric Vehicles 101 webinar.

Curbside composting: Shannon Stevens & Steve Perkins

Shannon, Steve and their two kids are enjoying using Black Earth Compost’s curbside composting service and find the cost of bi-weekly pickups to be reasonable. A member of Buy Nothing, Shannon “hates waste of any kind” and is excited to see the reductions in food waste in her home. Some items the family is now composting were a surprise: egg shells, bones, and fireplace ash. Shannon appreciates Black Earth Compost’s clear list of compostable and non-compostable items. Steve was surprised at the lack of smell from the countertop collection bin. And the kids are noticeably better at taking only the food they will actually eat! Shannon mentioned her friend in Boulder, CO, has free curbside composting pick-up fand thought it would be “amazing” if Framingham could do this.

Full details on our Curbside Composting action.

Installing a heat pump: Nancy Fliesler and Henry Schwan

Just before press time, Nancy Fliesler (editor of this newsletter) and Henry Schwan took the plunge and purchased a central heat pump system, inspired by the $10,000 Massachusetts rebate and the need for cooling in the summer. After three bids and much deliberation, they chose Tingley Home Services (Natick/Milford), which installed a Bosch system. They were able to retain their existing ductwork, and the total cost was about $20,000 before the Mass Save rebate and a Federal tax deduction of up to $2,000.

As a further incentive, Mass Save offers interest-free HEAT Loans – a great deal! More about heat pumps on our website.

Third Act: An interview with Larry Stoodt

On March 21, thousands of people aged 60 and up (and some younger) participated in the Third Act day of action in 30 states and the District of Columbia, protesting at four banks that are the biggest investors in fossil fuels: Chase Bank, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and Bank of America. Energize Framingham member Larry Stoodt, also chair of the Framingham Sustainability Committee, was among more than 200 people at the downtown Boston protest, marching from Chase Bank to Bank of America.

“These banks have paid lip service to curbing the fossil fuel industry, but it’s just that, lip service, otherwise known as greenwashing,” says Stoodt. “We need to make the community aware that by putting your money in Chase and Bank of America, you’re banking against your own future.”

Protesters dressed in costume, carried signs, and cut giant-sized credit cards with solar-powered chainsaws. “It was a joyous demonstration; people were in a good mood and felt they were doing good,” says Stoodt. “We were there at lunch hour, when bank employees were coming out. There were quite a few interactions with the public, a lot of good conversations, a lot of camaraderie.”

See more in this WBUR story. Third Act is holding welcome events for newcomers on April 17, May 15, May 29, and beyond.

BRIEFS

​​Community garden plots available for the 2023 season

Mary Memmott

Want to grow some of your own food while joining an active gardening community? Framingham has two well-established community gardens with plots available this season.

On the southside, the Pratt Street Community Garden, 48 Pratt St., provides water and free large plots in a garden tucked into a residential neighborhood. Gardeners provide their own tools (no storage on site). Gardening season begins in May; contact Parks Commissioner and Garden Coordinator Jose Ferreira (508-523-5857, [email protected]) soon if you would like a plot.

On the northside, the Victory over Hunger Garden at the Beacon of Hope United Methodist Church, has large plots on the church grounds, at the corner of Brook and Water Streets. Shared tools and water are provided. All gardeners are expected to donate 10 percent of their produce to those in need, and a $50 fee per plot helps cover expenses. Contact volunteer garden coordinator Mary Memmott (508-202-1039, [email protected]) if you would like a plot; just a few are left. Garden season begins with a kick-off/clean-up day Saturday, May 6.

Main Streets small business program returns!

From Monday, April 10th to Friday, April 28th, Eversource and its selected energy efficiency provider, AECOM, will be visiting small businesses in Framingham to identify energy-saving solutions. In addition to no-cost energy assessments, Eversource is offering enhanced incentives of up to 90% on select energy efficiency solutions. Learn more

Geothermal update

Eversource reports progress in Framingham’s first-in-the nation networked geothermal system, serving some 100 homes and businesses. All three test locations are viable for drilling and should be able to deliver sufficient geothermal heating and cooling. With project design complete, Eversource is reviewing proposals for construction work and working with the city on permitting. Construction is expected to begin this month or next with the goal of completion this fall.

In March, Eversource partnered with Fuller Middle School – located adjacent to the project – to host an “Introduce a Girl to Engineering and Science” event. Mentored by female engineers and scientists from Eversource, some 50 students conducted a heat-transfer experiment, competing in teams to cool a can of soda. VIP guests included Mayor Charlie Sisitsky, State Representative Priscila Sousa, School Superintendent Dr. Robert Tremblay, and WCVB’s Chief Meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon, who gave a nice TV report on the event.

Find more details on Eversource’s website or attend Eversource’s noon geothermal webinar on April 5, the first of a number of public meetings.

Nonprofits and faith communities go solar to help make ends meet

In addition to their environmental benefits, solar arrays are increasingly a money-saving solution for organizations. The electricity produced by solar roofs and carports can directly power buildings, slashing utility bills; can be sold to the electricity provider (i.e. Eversource), providing income; or can be shared with neighbors. We checked in with two solar adopters.

The Metrowest YMCA’s story

In 2017, the MetroWest YMCA partnered with Solect Energy in Hopkinton and PowerOptions, the region’s largest energy buying consortium, to install a solar energy system on the roof of its Framingham facility. It’s been a big win.

The 138-kilowatt array consists of 374 photovoltaic panels, projected to provide 14 percent of the facility’s annual electricity needs. Solect Energy installed, owns, and operates the solar arrays, and under a Power Purchase Agreement, the YMCA buys the power at a fixed rate for 20 years.

The rate is lower than the Eversource rate, creating savings. Moreover: “We implemented our solar project without any upfront costs or ongoing maintenance responsibilities,” says Rick MacPherson, the Metrowest YMCA’s president and CEO.

He feels the project has met all Y’s goals: to do its part for the environment, to set an example for members and the community, and to defray the energy costs of operating the indoor pool, early education center, and wellness areas.

A yearly savings of over $10,000 was originally projected. “Looking back at the last 12 months we have saved $12,400,” MacPherson reports. “Savings from the solar array have been redirected into the valuable programs that we offer to the community.”

Temple Beth Am’s story

For Framingham’s Temple Beth Am, solar panels solved a looming problem: replacing a leaky roof.

According to the organization Interfaith Power and Light, Massachusetts was second only to California in the number of houses of worship with solar installations in operation in 2019. That number, then 64 congregations, is only growing, and the reasons are both spiritual and practical.

“One Friday, so much water was coming in that we had to cancel evening services,” says Temple President Carol Hanover. “I said, that’s it, we have to do something.”

The quotes coming in from roofers were exorbitant – “somewhere north of $400,000,” says Hanover. Then, unexpectedly, opportunity knocked – from members of a networking group that rented the temple social hall. A couple of them did solar roofing, and began talking to a couple of temple members who attended a networking meeting.

A deal was made. Today, the solar company, NextGrid, has replaced much of the temple’s roof and installed solar panels. Once the panels are connected to the grid, the company will receive all the proceeds of selling the solar electricity to Eversource.

In addition to the roof panels, NextGrid installed a solar canopy in the temple’s parking lot. “At night when it’s lit up, it reminds people of a string of menorahs,” says Hanover. “And it’s environmentally sound – in line with tikkun olam, or repair of the world."

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, April 8-Sunday April 23: Keep Framingham Beautiful’s annual Great Framingham Cleanup 

Saturday, April 8, 10-11 a.m. Rewilding: Native Plant Gardening for the Planet Click to register.

Tuesday, April 11, 7 pm: What’s Dinner Got to Do with It? Food, Farming and Climate Change. About a third of human-made greenhouse gas emissions are linked to our food system. Learn about the changes that lie ahead for our food system and how we can make personal choices and support policy changes that improve our diets and support sustainable farming practices.

Wednesday April 12, 12 pm. Charged up: Everything you wanted to know about EV charging (online). Sponsored by the Green Energy Consumers Alliance.

April 17-22: Photograph plastic pollution during Earth Week! To help the Massachusetts Sierra Club advocate to reduce plastic pollution, you’re invited to photograph any plastic pollution you find and upload it to their submission form. Photos will be compiled into a map showing how plastic pollution is found everywhere across Massachusetts. Sign up for more information.

Saturday, April 22, 11 am-3 pm: Framingham Earth Day Festival 

Saturday, May 13, 11 am-1pm: Co/oler Communities Fair. See what it's all about in this video

Sat/Sun, May 6-7 and May 13-14, 9 am-2 pm: Stearns’ Farm Annual Seedling Sale

IN THE NEWS

Framingham

Students celebrate first-of-its-kind networked geothermal system coming to Framingham neighborhood (WCVB Channel 5)

Framingham firm to use Australian battery technology on energy storage projects (Worcester Business Journal)

State/Region

‘Heat-pump coaches’ help neighbors ditch fossil heat in Massachusetts (Canary Media)
Steve Breit, featured in this article, recently spoke at the Framingham Public Library on “Get Comfy with Heat Pumps.”

MIT-led teams win National Science Foundation grants to research sustainable materials (MIT News)

Your electric bill shouldn’t be so high. Here’s how to fix it (Boston Globe)
This opinion piece argues that the state’s electricity pricing system hurts efforts to incentivize electrification to address climate change.

National

U.S. faces electrician shortage as it tries to go green (Wall Street Journal)

Biden will let California lead on electric trucks, despite industry protest (Washington Post)

Cleaner Air Helps Everyone. It Helps Black Communities a Lot. (New York Times)

ABOUT US

Energize Framingham provides climate education, outreach, and advocacy to promote a healthy, equitable, and resilient community.

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