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IN THIS ISSUE

Rescuing a city solar project: Hold May 7 at 7 pm!
Earth Day & Cleaner Communities Fair wrap
City Council environmental subcommittee pursues Specialized Code
The Specialized Code: Myth vs. Fact
Briefs: Climate Action Plan | Curbside and school composting 
Geothermal project | Community Preservation Act Projects | MBTA zoning
Upcoming events | In the news

Rescuing sustainability investments in the FY25 Capital Budget

City Council presentation: May 7!

On Tuesday, May 7, 7 p.m., Energize Framingham will speak about the importance of municipal solar projects at the City Council meeting. Come show your support in person (Memorial Building, Costin Room) or on Zoom. 

You can also reach out to your city councilor directly (find your precinct and councilor here) and sign our petition (approaching 400 signatures!).

We continue to call for reinstatement of items cut from Mayor Sisitsky’s FY25 Capital Budget: 

• A solar installation on the roof of the Farley building ($1,750,000)

• A Citywide Solar Alternative Energy and Resiliency Plan ($75,000)

• A Vehicle Electrification Initiative ($400,000)

Our City Council presentation will focus on the Farley project, proposed by the School Committee for its administration building. Farley would be just the fourth municipal solar installation in Framingham (the others are the McAuliffe Library, Brophy Elementary, and Fuller Middle School). According to the feasibility study (jump to page 8) it would generate enough electricity to pay for itself in 4.8 years. It’s been in the Capital Budget requests since FY22.

Unfortunately, at the City Council Finance Subcommittee meeting on April 9, incomplete information was presented (discussion begins at 1:26:20). The Farley project was discussed as having a payback time of 10-11 years, not 4.8 years. But the math behind this estimate didn't factor in the more than $1 million in federal and state grants the project could receive.

The facts about Farley solar

The Farley solar feasibility study was submitted to the city by Gale Associates/Solar Design Associates in April 2023.

• The payback period of 4.8 years is noted on page 20, with a full financial analysis on pages 40-41.

• Incentives are discussed on page 37: The federal Inflation Reduction Act (Direct Pay) would reimburse $405,216; the Massachusetts SMART Program, $654,378.

• Page 40 shows increasing costs of electricity over time, listing $157,000 in savings during the first year, but $172,928 by year 5.

Future agenda?

Farley is only the tip of the iceberg of potential city solar projects. The Mayor’s budget includes roof replacement construction for the Potter Road and Brophy schools, but with no provision for solar. However, Matt Torti, building and grounds director for the Framingham Public Schools, noted at the April 9 meeting that design for roof repairs/replacement for the Juniper Hill and King schools would include an assessment of solar feasibility. 

In addition, a number of school parking lots are due to be repaved and could be eligible for solar canopies, such as a portion of the parking lot at the McCarthy school. And the DPW is requesting funds for a new roof on its headquarters on Western Avenue; according to Director of Facilities Management James Paolini, the plan would make the roof solar-ready. 

Earth Day: It’s a wrap!

We had our best Earth Day ever this year! It was a gorgeous day with record-breaking traffic at our table. Kids and adults alike loved having their photos taken in costume while sharing their love of the earth and climate action. Plus, we had a chance to chat with many of you about our petition to the Mayor. Many thanks to those of you who signed! Visit our Facebook page for lots more photos.

Cooler Communities Fair shares student visions

Did you know Framingham has an annual climate fair? The Cooler Communities Fair leverages classroom education to empower students around climate friendly action. This year’s fair, held at Fuller Middle School, was the third, and it’s getting better each year! We saw quite a few third graders and middle school students sharing a wide range of projects and exhibits. More photos on our Facebook page.

City Council environmental subcommittee pursues Specialized Code

Last month, we attended a joint meeting between the Framingham Sustainability Committee and the City Council Subcommittee on Environment and Sustainability about the Specialized Opt-in building code. This code needs to be voted on by the City Council and its goal is to make new buildings ready for future changes in Massachusetts’ energy uses.

A quick orientation on the Specialized Code:

• It applies only to new construction. 

• It requires that new homes either be all-electric, or if they incorporate fossil fuel heating, that they be pre-wired for future electrification and incorporate solar panels.

• Houses under 4,000 sq. ft. with shaded roofs are exempt from the solar requirement, but larger homes must have some renewable energy source. 

• New multifamily buildings over 12,000 square feet must meet a standard for high energy efficiency.

• As of May 2, 35 Massachusetts cities and towns have passed the Specialized Code – most recently Ashland – and Natick plans a vote this spring.

At the April 10 Zoom meeting, Dillan Patel of the state Department of Energy Resources (DOER) gave an informative presentation about the Specialized Code. We were excited that the Councilors, especially Councilors Steiner and Mallach, were very engaged and appeared inclined to work to put the code before the full City Council. 

Watch Patel’s presentation and the ensuing discussion and read more below!

The Specialized Opt-in Building Code, Part 3

Our February issue outlined the basics of the Specialized (“Net Zero”) Building code. Our March issue addressed some common myths, namely that the Specialized Code is a radical change that would drive builders away from Framingham and make new housing unaffordable.

Here, we focus on how the Specialized Code can benefit Framingham residents.

Myth: The Specialized Code is too costly; people won’t want to move to Framingham

Fact: Residents’ utility bill savings will continue year after year.

• Residents of new homes built to the code can expect substantially lower energy bills. A report from MIT and Wentworth modeled the effects of the Specialized Code and found energy cost savings of more than 20 percent for single family homes. 

• Other studies on Passive House construction (involving extensive insulation and other measures to keep heat inside) have found 40 to 60 percent or higher reductions in energy use. 

• Utility costs will go down even further for homes with solar power.

• Gas costs are projected to double in the early 2030s. A report from Groundwork Data makes the case that building all-electric from the start will spare residents the need to replace gas equipment before it reaches the end of its expected lifespan.

• An analysis from the Applied Economics Clinic found that heating with air-source heat pumps in Massachusetts will become less expensive than heating with gas as early as 2026.

• For homes incorporating fossil fuel energy, prewiring for electrification will make it easier for residents to adopt heat pumps, electric stoves, and solar energy in the future, avoiding an expensive retrofit.

Learn more in this presentation from the Mass DOER.

BRIEFS

Climate Action Plan sets 10 priorities

Through a series of public meetings, the Climate Action Plan working group has adopted these priorities for action:

1. Support expansion of Framingham’s geothermal pilot project with Eversource to other neighborhoods.

2. Promote an “opt up” campaign when Framingham Community Electricity launches, encouraging enrollment in the Framingham Green Plus option.

3. Connect residents and businesses with government programs like Mass Save to help them improve building energy efficiency.

4. Evaluate the feasibility of the city adopting the Opt-in Specialized building code, factoring in housing affordability. The city should then either adopt the code or explore ways to incentivize building electrification and energy efficiency. 

5. Adopt a local tree ordinance to expand tree cover in the city, including urban forests.

6. Expand reuse, sharing, and recycling opportunities, including swap shops, community yard sales, repair clinics, and collection of hard-to-recycle items.

7. Add MWRTA bus stop infrastructure, such as shelters and benches, and make public transport more accessible.

8. Implement a plan for public EV charging station infrastructure across Framingham.

9. Coordinate with local institutions like Framingham State University and the Green Jobs Academy to create and expand training programs to advance green workforce development.

10. Increase access to fresh, local, culturally relevant foods, exploring opportunities through programs like the Framingham Farmer’s Market to provide access for SNAP participants and other low-income residents.

Learn more and vote for your priorities on the Ideas Wall. A launch event for the Climate Action Plan is tentatively scheduled for June.

Curbside composting to be put out to bid

In March, the Composting Task Force, announced by the Mayor’s Office last October, made a series of recommendations to the Mayor (page 3). They include:

• Increasing resident use of private curbside food waste collection through promotion and incentives, starting with a pilot that would provide 700 residents with carts and packs of compostable bags.

• Expanding school cafeteria composting efforts, starting with a second program like the one currently running at Dunning Elementary.

• Promoting backyard food waste composting, starting with providing 45 bins to residents.

The Task Force calculates that these measures would bring minimal net cost to the city because of grant funding through the state Recycling Dividends Program and savings in trash disposal costs (by diverting 20 to 30 percent of household waste). This diversion would save the city an estimated $20,000 annually per 700 households subscribing to curbside pickup.

The Mayor is expected to put the curbside pickup component out to bid.

Energize Framingham aids new school food waste projects

Energize Framingham is helping McCarthy Elementary School plan and implement a three-week pilot to test a “share” table for three kindergarten classes. The share table will collect unopened packaged items and uneaten fruit and is a possible first step toward a more comprehensive waste diversion program for the school.

We are also creating a guide for Framingham schools wanting to implement cafeteria food waste diversion. Under our proposed model, the city would pay for the first year of the program, after which the school would pick up the cost in their operating budget (mainly for staff to supervise waste separation).

Geothermal infrastructure heads toward completion

Eversource provides these updates on Framingham’s geothermal project:

The main pump house, a prefabricated brick structure, was flown in and placed atop its foundation near the Farley building in March. It will run the geothermal system for the Farley building and the main borefield beneath the parking lot. Crews are now installing mechanical equipment inside the pump house as well as piping to connect it to a second field of boreholes under the Farley lot. Once this work is complete, Eversource will start testing the system.

In mid-April, at the Framingham Housing Authority complex, a crane placed a heat exchanger into a vault (a central location for geothermal piping) buried underground on John J. Brady Lane. This heat exchanger will provide energy from the geothermal loop to the FHA’’s community center.

At the fire station, crews have installed vaults and piping that will connect to borefield piping under that parking lot. 

13 more Community Preservation Act projects approved

On April 30, 2024, the Framingham City Council approved funding for all 13 projects recommended by the Framingham Community Preservation Committee for FY24.They include several open-space projects:

• Removal of a deteriorated part of the Carol Getchell Trail boardwalk and replace it with a new segment compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requested by the Framingham Conservation Commission. ($650,000)

• Fencing around the Pratt Street Community Garden. as well as on-site storage, at the request of Transition Framingham and the Framingham Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department.($45,500)

• New playground equipment and a splash pad at Reardon Park on Maymont Drive, requested by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs. ($500,000)

• Ecological restoration on the Cochituate Rail Trail near the School Street entrances to mitigate the impact of erosion and install native plants. Requested by the Department of Public Works. ($39,500)

• A study to improve water quality at Waushakum Lake. ($51,250)

Planning Board seeks input on the state MBTA Communities Law

Framingham’s Planning Board has been holding public hearings to discuss the new state law requiring MBTA communities like Framingham to zone for multi-family housing within 0.5 miles of the train station. 

At the most recent meeting, on April 25, the architectural firm Utile presented a design report from a team of Northeastern students imagining how the housing requirement could be met near Framingham’s commuter rail station. Planning Board Chair Kristina Johnson emphasized that the minimum housing density required by the state law (15 units/acre) is actually lower than that in Framingham’s downtown currently (90 units/acre for some buildings), and that the MBTA law is an opportunity to shape downtown development. For example, plans could require green space, limit building heights, and make the building designs more aesthetic. Sarkis Sarkisian, director of Planning & Community Development, noted that Framingham would lose out on more than $5 million in grants this year alone by not complying with the law.

We’d love to see more green spaces and pocket parks incorporated into the zoning requirements! Check the city’s Public Meeting Calendar for upcoming Planning Board meetings if you’d like to comment.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Check our events page for more!

Tues., May 7, 7 p.m. City Council Meeting: Energize Framingham presenting!
Blumer Room, Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street, or on Zoom. Energize Framingham will be presenting about municipal solar. Come show your support!

May 11 & 12, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Stearns Farm annual seedling sale
862 Edmands Road, Framingham

Tues., May 21, 7-8 p.m. Save $ with Community Solar: No Roof Required
(webinar)

Wed., June 19, 7-8 p.m. Save $ with Community Solar: No Roof Required (webinar)

Thurs., June 20, 7 p.m. Library sustainability series: Pollinator Friendly Plants
McAuliffe Library Community Room (cosponsored by the Framingham Sustainability Committee)

IN THE NEWS

Framingham

Parks, playgrounds upgrades identified in Framingham. What places are on the city's list (MetroWest Daily News) 

Massachusetts/region

Here’s a low-cost way to make energy-efficient upgrades to your home (Boston Globe) 
A new program through the state’s green bank will offer up to $100,000 in low-interest loans for low- and moderate-income homeowners. Loans can be used for roof replacement, home weatherization, electrical system upgrades, heat pumps, rooftop solar installation, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging stations, oil tank removal, and other improvements.

For the first time, Boston has a chief climate officer (WBUR) 

Mass. joins 8 states in setting new electric heat pump goals (WBUR)

Transmission study reaches some hopeful conclusions (CommonWealth Beacon)
ISO New England, which operates the regional electric grid, estimates the region will need to invest $16 to $26 billion on transmission infrastructure before 2050 to ensure a reliable clean energy transition. 

You can't throw out most textiles in Mass. So why are some people still doing it? (Worcester Telegram) 

'Slice of paradise' takes root with planting of Worcester's first Miyawaki forest  (Worcester Telegram)

National

Standards set to eliminate emissions from new federal buildings by 2030 (The Hill)

The US now has an actual plan to connect clean energy to the grid (electrek)

Rooftop solar panels are flooding California’s grid. That’s a problem. (Washington Post) 
As electricity prices go negative, sunny California is struggling to offload a glut of solar power

Offshore wind projects have been dogged by inflation and culture wars. Now they’re making a comeback (CNN) 

Major offshore wind projects in New York canceled in latest blow to industry (Politico)

Heat caused record-high rates of health emergencies in some parts of the US last year, CDC report shows (CNN)

Of general interest

The most powerful solar panel in history: 1000 times more powerful than expected and free electricity (EcoNews) 

Electric cars are saving Americans billions — even people who don’t drive them (electrek)

The reckless policies that helped fill our streets with ridiculously large cars (Vox) 

Battery Recycling Shatters the Myth of Electric-Vehicle Waste  (Bloomberg)

ABOUT US

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

Have a tip for us? Email [email protected].
In case you missed it… Back issues!
Editors: Nancy Fliesler and Aimee Powelka