SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCE NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 2022

A Big Summer for the Climate: What Does it Mean for Lexington and You?

This summer, Boston experienced the hottest 30-day period ever recorded with temperatures regularly hitting over 95 degrees. While record-breaking heat was making headlines, so was substantial climate legislation at the federal, state, and local level. Wondering what these climate bills mean for Lexington and you?

Federal: Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

In addition to incentivizing large scale clean energy projects, this federal climate bill will deliver energy savings and electrification incentives directly to households. See what incentives you will be eligible for over the next 10 years. 

State: Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind

The newly passed state climate bill invests in offshore wind and the electric grid, encourages solar and energy storage, drives forward the adoption of electric vehicles, paves the road for decarbonizing buildings, and more. The bill envisions a future for the state that is powered by clean energy. Learn more. 

Local: Home Rule Petitions

Part of the state climate bill establishes a pilot program for 10 communities to regulate fossil fuels in new construction and major renovations. Ten communities (including Lexington) passed Home Rule Petitions in advance of the bill's passing to request the authority to regulate fossil fuels. Other communities are passing their own petitions in hopes of participating in the pilot. If Lexington is accepted into the pilot, it will be an opportunity for the Town to join other leading communities around the country in a push to decarbonize buildings and reduce our contribution to climate change. 

Volunteer Opportunity: Help Your Neighbors Transition to Clean Heating and Cooling Technology

The Town is launching Lexington HeatSmart, a program to empower residents to adopt clean heating and cooling technology with confidence. We are seeking 6-8 volunteer coaches to work directly with Lexington homeowners to select the appropriate technology, find a contractor, and take advantage of available incentives for heat pumps and other energy retrofits.

All volunteers will go through an in-depth training on heat pump technology and will be supported by experts at Abode Energy Management and the HeatSmart Alliance. Volunteers should be able to commit 3-5 hours per week to the role from October 2022 – October 2023, with the potential to extend. Extensive knowledge of heating and cooling systems is not a requirement for participation.

See the full role description for additional details. To apply, fill out the Interest Form by September 16, 2022. All questions can be directed to Maggie Peard, the Town’s Sustainability & Resilience Officer (mpeard@lexingtonma.gov). 

Sustainability Day at the Farmers Market

The Town has teamed up with Lexington Farmers Market and LexCAN to host a Sustainability Day at the market. In addition to the regular vendors, there will be representatives from a host of organizations sharing resource to help you adopt more sustainable practices. Organizations will include:

• Black Earth Compost
• HomeWorks Energy
• LexCAN
• Lexington Community Farm
• Lexington Zero Waste Collaborative
• Revision Energy
• Town of Lexington's Conservation, Sustainability & Resilience, and Transportation Services departments
• Lexington Community Choice program

Date: September 20, 2022

Time: 2:00 - 6:30 pm

Where: Worthen Road Practice Field

Bill McKibben at Cary Library: "Lexington and a Troubled World—Looking Back and Looking Forward"

Bill McKibben – climate activist, writer, founder of 350.org and Third Act – returns to his native Lexington for a talk at Cary Hall. A prolific author and major voice on the environment, Bill’s newest book is The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon: A Graying American Looks Back at his Suburban Boyhood and Wonders What the Hell Happened. Bill will be available after his talk for a book signing.

Date: Sunday, September 11, 2022

Time: 4:00 pm

Where: Cary Hall (1605 Massachusetts Ave.)

This event is free and open to the public. Masks encouraged. Save the date!

More information.

Help Reduce Traffic Congestion and Tailpipe Emissions this School Year

It is Back to School time once again! While that brings many wonderful moments, it can also lead to terrible traffic congestion and unnecessary emissions from vehicles. Be a part of the solution by walking, biking, or scooting to school, or riding public transit or a school bus.

Visit the Town's Safe Routes to School page to view maps for each school highlighting safe routes for active transportation (walking, biking, scooting) and to read about forming your own walking school buses or bike trains. There is even an interest form to be connected with others. You can also view the Transportation Services website to learn about public transit options for students and others, and you can find information about school bus registration online, too. There are many ways we can reduce car traffic at our schools. Have a great school year! 

Upcoming Waste Disposal Events

Waste that is not disposed of properly can create unnecessary emissions and pollution. By taking advantage of Lexington's waste disposal events you can help keep our environment clean.

Saturday, September 3:

Paper Shredding Event

Wednesday, September 14:

Medical Waste Collection

5 PM - 7 PM

Saturday, September 18:

Hazardous Waste Collection

Looking for more? Find out how to recycle just about anything, start composting, or donate unneeded items!

Go Green, Bike Smart

Leave the car at home! Join one of these upcoming programs to help you (or your kids) gain confidence in riding bikes or taking public transportation instead of driving. The planet will thank you!

Saturday, September 17:

Bike Smart for Youth

Grades 4-6: 10 AM - 12 PM

Grades 6-8: 1 PM - 3 PM

Tuesday, September 20:

MBTA Travel Training

10 AM - 11 AM

QUICK LINKS

Questions? 

Maggie Peard

Sustainability & Resilience Officer

(781) 698-4538

mpeard@lexingtonma.gov

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