Green Newton

John Oliver: There are multiple efforts I am committed to:

• Educate and incentivize further adoption of Newton Power Choice(NPC) both more households and more ‘opt-ins’ to 100%
• Expand outreach of NPC to include landlords so that rentals can participate in, and benefit from the program too.
• Put in place a program for all buildings in Newton (residential, commercial, municipal) to reduce GHG emissions; I believe the first step for Newton is to establish mandatory measurements to increase awareness of the progress that we need to make.
• Update our zoning to include stronger requirements for ‘green construction’ standards, replacement of more trees, increase the percentage of lot space that is ‘undeveloped.’

• Require green standards for all new developments and special permits. This includes solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, electric heat and cooking and Passive House standards.
• Allow a slight increase in house square footage (Floor Area Ratio or the “massing of the house”) as an incentive for houses built to Passive House standards with electric heat and cooking.
• Offer low interest loans for lower income residents to switch to electric heat pumps.
• Preserve our existing tree canopy and green spaces by using zoning to protect residential setback green spaces and writing stronger ordinances to preserve existing trees.
• Add electric car charging stations in the village centers.
• Promote development in areas where people can walk more rather than drive to stores and services, such as the village centers.
• Strengthen storm water rules.

Deb Crossley: The Newton City Council has broad authority to regulate land use development, but may not supercede state building code without MA permission. Council budget authority is limited to approving – or not – the mayor’s budget and proposed appropriations. All that said, there is more we can and will continue to do to implement the CAP, as we press for state and federal assistance. Newton is currently seeking home rule authority to require electrification of new construction and substantial renovations (see my answer for question 2), as well as to require contractors and developers to analyze and present electric alternatives when seeking permits. Newton’s Sustainability Team is now working with the energy commission to implement a program like BERDO (Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance) to require existing commercial properties to reduce energy demand and report performance on a regular basis. When we need additional expertise tome energy efficiency programs forward – I will be first in line to support such expenditures. Finally – but not least – we simply must pass zoning reform to allow compact multi unit development near public transit and existing supporting infrastructure – by right. Not only is this a way we need to live ginghams into the future – using fewer resources per person, but also, more smaller living units in the RIGHT place – supports our small local (village) economies, creates more units affordable to a wider range of income earners, etc.

Getting this right would be a win-win-win for Newton – and is a critical climate action.

Alicia Bowman: City Council should be a strong leader on reducing greenhouse gasses and improving climate resiliency. We should be explicitly discussing with each item before the council what opportunities there are to better address climate goals. The Council should also review the goals as stated in the Climate Action Plan in light of the increasing sense of urgency from climate scientists.

I support working expeditiously and collaboratively with key stakeholders to develop a Newton ordinance aimed at reducing energy use by the largest energy users in the city. This should be modeled off the work done in Boston with their recent adoption of BERDO 2.0 (Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance).

As for funding, Newton should have a dedicated annual funding amount to address climate change and invest in climate resiliency, especially to reduce extreme heat and flooding.

Vicky Danberg: We are indeed in crisis mode. Climate change is upon us. Hurricanes and flooding are getting worse and even the Redwoods are in grave danger.

I support the proposed legislation that would require all new construction and substantial rehabs to install all non fossil fuel utilities. Newton Wellesley Hospital has claimed this would shut them down, but we can secure adequate waivers for them until they can complete their plan to move completely to non carbon utilities. These outliers should not deter us.

I favor finding a way to financially incentivize conversion to heat pumps and all electric in both residential and commercial venues, requiring all new construction to install EV chargers (I did this in my own home. We have one EV and one 12 year old car. I have ordered an EV to replace it.) I support completely the Newton Climate Action Plan to become carbon free by 2050.

Becky Grossman: We’re hurtling toward a future where the reality of the climate crisis will overshadow everything else. Our planet is in peril and thus, every decision we make as a Council and as a city must be looked at through this lens. Actions I’m committed to include:

• Continuing to use municipal assets to install clean power generation technology
• Installing EV charging infrastructure. I recently co-docketed an item with Councilors Laredo and Norton to explore ways in which we might partner with private entities to expand EV charging access on private commercial lots
• Continuing my support for transit-oriented, multi-family housing, particularly in village centers, that promotes walking, biking, and the use of public mass transit
• Devoting the financial resources to make the Washington Street Vision Plan a reality. On the city’s part, this will include investing in the roadway trials and construction the City has to undertake in order to make this critical corridor more pedestrian and bike friendly, increase access to public transit, and locate homes and jobs closer to public transit
• Utilizing zoning and the special permit process to push developers to build increasingly energy efficient buildings and minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and to place emphasis in new construction on Passive House standards and electrification of building systems as the Newton Citizen’s Commission on Energy has discussed
• Retrofitting existing municipal buildings and building new buildings to net zero standards
• Pushing to require gas companies to check for and repair all gas leaks, and protect consumers from paying for leaked gas
• Continuing to convert Newton’s fleet of non-emergency vehicles to hybrid and/or electric vehicles
• Encouraging/educating residents to take advantage of government programs offering in-home energy assessments
• Investing heavily in open space, including parks, playgrounds, and fields
• Strengthening our crossing guard program so children and families can safely walk and bike to school
• Replacing street trees we’ve lost to gas leaks and disease
• Implementing proper recycling and composting in our schools
• Implementing the eventual cycling/pedestrian master plan under development thanks to Mayor Fuller’s investment of $80,000 in ARPA money
• Adopting a zero waste strategy

Julia Malakie: I support making 100% renewable the default for Newton Power Choice, with continued disclosure to customers of price differentials each time rates change. I support passing the home rule petition to enable Newton to require non-fossil fuel heating for all new buildings and major renovations, with fossil fuel backup if required such as NWH.

I was pleased that this year’s new police cruisers are hybrid, and will support a switch to fully electric when this can be done without compromising public safety.

HERS ratings are helpful but are relative to the size of houses. In addition, to listing HERS ratings, the Assessors Database should include a rating that combines HERS with square footage to better reflect actual energy usage that could be expected. I support increasing setbacks to both reduce the excessive size of houses, and allow more space for trees to provide shade and reduce air conditioning needs in summer, and buffer wind in winter.

Brenda Noel: Newton recently hired a “climate czar” to provide education, support and advocacy to our citizens to ensure folks understand how to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions – many folks want to do the right thing and are simply unsure of what to do, it seems too confusing, too expensive or simply unattainable. As a Ward Councilor I send out a newsletter each month to educate my constituency of many items that are important including the services the city has and the steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint- the more education we can provide the community the more these steps can be attainable to our residents.

Finally- we have a unique opportunity with the recent ARPA funds the city received to invest in our clean infrastructure like the electric grid, protected bike lanes, act [sic] to move us forward towards our goals.

Maria Scibelli Greenberg: I support a Home Rule Petition for Electrification for the city of Newton so that the city could obtain the authority to require new construction to be built with fossil fuel free heating, hot water and cooking systems(which may be an exception).

Another important incentive is the posting of Home Energy Rating Scores on the city’s assessor’s site. With HERS scores easily accessible, home owners and potential home buyers can be better informed about the energy efficiency of properties.

Barry Bergman: Our natural gas infrastructure is outdated and dangerous due to the lack of resources devoted to it by National Grid. The state Department of Public Utilities should adopt tougher standards to address this problem.

The City should set the example of using renewable energy by installing solar panels on the roofs of all city owned buildings.

• Employers encouraged to install workplace charging (informed of MassEVIP grant opportunity) and encourage them to sign up for test drive events at www.massdriveclean.org)
• Level 2 EV charging in every village center. Combined with solar if feasible and cost effective
• EV Charging at all schools, starting with high schools, then middle schools then elementary schools. (Serves as workplace charging as well as charging for visitors)
• At least one fast charger in the City, next to a highway exit
• City mandate that EVSE installations cannot be prohibited in multi-units
• Encourage ride sharing companies with lots in Newton to use EVs in fleet and install charging

FLEET

• New school buses to be electric
• Transit buses – request to MBTA to move to electric when new contracts negotiated

EDUCATION/PR

• Workplace charging seminars – Newton Needham chamber, every other large employers to host
• Have EV resource page on city website including charger maps
• City sponsors at least 2 ‘ride & drives’ per year
• EV tabling at city sponsored events
• Special EV proclamation email from Mayor Fuller announcing program to boost EV ownership in City 10% over next 2 years, include [sic] a survey
• EV charging in every mall (that may already be the case)
• Have drivers ed teachers trained in EVs so they can talk about it to driving students.

OWNERSHIP INCENTIVE

• Free metered parking until 10K EVs in Newton
• Reduced excise tax until 10K EVs

DEALERS
Robust local auto dealer support and incentive program (dealer rewards):

• Send letter (with RSVP) to all dealers outlining goals (above), expectations from dealers, support that can be provided and incentives
• Receive regular reports from dealers about their PEV sales programs
• Display at city hall/high traffic area different dealer PEV each month
• Offer reward in form of recognition/media to top seller of PEVs each year, one award for % of total sales, one for highest sales for the year (as monthly average)

Jim Cote: On the question of a home rule petition. I would be in favor of this action so long as it doesn’t affect the affordability of housing to those in the lower-income brackets. The home rule petition would need to allow for flexibility in the Special Permit process to implement requirements as appropriate.

On electric cars: The city cannot due it alone and I will use my talents to create partnerships with businesses that employ people, auto sellers, and upper levels of government to share or assume the costs of implementation.

Brenda Noel: No Response

Alison Leary:

• I am currently working on a Home Rule petition that would allow the city to require the electrification of new buildings and significant redevelopments (with some exemptions not yet decided).
• I am in favor of any actions that would increase/encourage more biking, walking, and use of shuttles and public transit, while reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips.
• I will advocate for more energy-efficient and climate-smart buildings in both by right and special permits and use our zoning rules to require and/or incentivize high-efficiency performance, such as Passive House and/or net-zero new construction.
• I support EV charging stations in all our public spaces and more dedicated bike lanes.
• I am also concerned about the large number of natural gas leaks all over the city. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and also many of these leaks are a threat to street trees. I would use my role as chair of Public Facilities to expedite gas leak repairs.
• Require commercial recycling city wide as well as organics diversion for all large commercial properties that produce a 1000 pounds of food waste a week.
• Expand Black Earth compost services and offer subsidies for residents to sign up.

Andreae Downs: The IPCC Report is devastating, but also reflects ever-larger home construction and the high costs of retrofitting older, smaller buildings. Changes to zoning may help, but the larger picture is state and federal inertia and lack of funding. Newton cannot do this alone, particularly with private property.

Putting restrictions on large homes will need careful consideration–I do not think a simple moratorium will do the trick. Some larger homes can be retrofitted to provide housing for two or more households in the future, while retaining small homes on large lots (particularly near villages) will necessarily exclude multiple households.

Alicia Bowman: One of the reasons I ran for City Council in 2019 was to support taking bolder action to address climate change. I thank the Newton Citizens Energy Commission for completing this inventory and their continued work to advise the city on this very important issue.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts on climate action. In my first term on City Council, I have been a staunch advocate for environmental issues. I have been outspoken on the need to act with far more urgency in regards to the climate. I have strongly supported Council efforts to move forward with a home-rule petition to require electrification for all new and substantially renovated buildings. I was appointed as the first councilor to the Newton Climate Action Planning Group at their request as they appreciated my thoughtful comments in Council meetings. In this group, I have advocated for expanding educational efforts for residents on actions they can take to reduce GHG [greenhouse gas emissions] and sought funding to support these efforts as part of the annual city budget. I am also working with the Council President to increase updates on the climate action plan from annually to quarterly and to do so at full Council meetings so all councilors are present for the update. And I have successfully expanded the vision for a key climate goal “Electrify Your Ride” to include the transformative E-Bike.

In the coming term, I will be championing the bicycle, pedestrian, and accessibility master plan, looking for it to establish a bold vision for transforming our car clogged streets to healthier streets. Given more than 25% of CO2 in Newton is related to personal transportation, addressing climate change means reducing driving. The plan should lay out a clear vision for how we can achieve the kind of reduction in vehicle miles traveled needed to stay on target to meet state and federal goals.

Hopefully next term, the City Council will be able to pass both a BERDO (Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance) and an ordinance requiring 100% electrification for new and substantially renovated buildings.

Given the likelihood for increased heavy storms, I am committed to promoting more climate resiliency planning and infrastructure especially along our street network. I will encourage significant investments including depaving, more permeable surfaces and rain gardens, especially close to important waterways in Newton like the Charles River, Crystal Lake and Bullough’s Pond. Many of these actions have other environmental and community benefits like reducing heat islands, creating more space for large trees and traffic calming which will support more walking and biking for transportation.

I will also be launching a group to work on the transition from diesel buses to electric buses in the city. This will involve working with representatives from the three colleges, the many employer shuttles and Newton Public Schools.

Lastly, next term the Community Pollinators Group that I founded will be working on policies concerning native plants on city property and requirements for special permits. We will also be working on mapping pollinator gardens in the city, aiming to create a pollinator pathway.

Vicky Danberg: The City Council can help move the Climate Action Plan forward by proposing and encouraging ordinances that support our goals. I have mentioned above many options that I support. There are many more that we need to encourage and move on.
Another issue is waste. By 2050 plastics waste in our oceans and waterways will outweigh all fish in the ocean.

There are initiatives before us that I support. I led the successful effort to ban polystyrene packaging in the City and worked on banning single use plastic bags. I plan to form a committee this fall to look into expanding the ban to black plastic (it is trashed, as our haulers’ equipment cannot read it). We need to continue to do everything we can on all fronts to stem climate change.

Brenda Noel: This is devastating- and I would have hoped the impact of the changes implemented the past 2 years would show a greater differential- clearly we must do more.

Thank you for taking the time to design this survey – I am still overwhelmed by your first data point. I had not see it laid out quite so clearly. We need to do better and we don’t have much time.