Green Newton Behind the Scenes
Our members, partners and supporters help drive environmental action and strong policies in Newton. One example is a recent survey to evaluate the cost of electrifying Newton.
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) now relies on estimates from the utilities to evaluate whether it’s cost effective to electrify a street as opposed to replace the pipes. We are working in collaboration with Newton node of 350 Mass and Mothers Out Front to provide the DPU and the City of Newton with a more accurate estimate of costs.
Led by Jon Slote, a member of the Energy Commission and Green Newton volunteer, Green Newton worked with our partners to survey over 200 Newton residents to collect data on the types of heating and cooling systems in use in Newton homes. We distributed the survey through email and news outlets, mailed postcards to over 800 residents, and had eleven volunteers canvass neighborhoods to build a good representation of Newton homes.
Our Green Newton interns then worked with volunteer energy experts to analyze the results, which will form the basis of cost estimates for electrifying homes — and streets — in Newton. We’ll provide this information to the Department of Public Utilities, helping the DPU better evaluate utility cost estimates against the cost of replacing gas pipes.
Stay tuned for a summary of the results.
Want to get involved with a Green Newton initiative? Sign up to learn more about volunteering.
Below, Sofia Jackson, a Newton resident and one of our summer interns, canvassed Newton neighborhoods to make sure the survey results accurately reflected the City’s Villages and building stock.
