Wellesley's work to improve the climate has earned state recognition.
At a ceremony with state officials on Friday, May 2, the Town was recognized by the Healey Driscoll administration as one of the first communities in Massachusetts to earn the Climate Leader certification.
With this certification, Wellesley will be eligible to apply for over $1 million in grant funding to support implementation of the Climate Action Plan and progress toward the Town’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The Climate Leader program is offered by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maximize the efficiency of buildings and transportation. Grant eligible projects include those involving renewable energy, battery storage, building electrification, and energy efficiency.
Wellesley joins 18 other Massachusetts communities receiving this designation.
Sustainability Director Marybeth Martello led a cross-department effort to obtain certification, with significant contributions from Sustainability Analyst Janet Mosley; valuable input from the Facilities Management Department, Department of Public Works, and Municipal Light Plant; and critical support from the Select Board and School Committee.
Climate Leader status reflects the following achievements in climate action, including:
- Being a Green Community in good standing
- Developing a Climate Action Committee to advise on clean energy and climate activities
- A commitment to municipal decarbonization in the form of the Town’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050
- A Zero-Emission-Vehicle-First Fleet Policy requiring the Town purchase only zero-emission vehicles for municipal use whenever such vehicles are commercially available and practicable
- Adopting the State’s Municipal Opt-in Specialized Energy Code
- Creating a Municipal Decarbonization Roadmap showing how the Town can bring its buildings and fleet vehicles to net zero emissions by 2050
The Climate Leader program follows DOER’s highly successful Green Communities designation program that supports projects to reduce energy use.
Wellesley became a Green Community in 2017 and since then, earned nearly $1 million in grant funding to support projects such as the Warren Building renovation, multiple LED lighting retrofit projects, and hybrid police cruisers.
Pictured below are: Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Sustainability Director Marybeth Martello, Sustainability Analyst Janet Mosley, and DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony.
