A. Plan for sustainability
Efforts to increase energy sustainability must be well-planned and coordinated if they are to succeed. The Commonwealth has established and growing programs for energy conservation, renewable energy; the challenge is to translate those policies and programs to the regional and local level. Just as the MetroFuture plan is a regional expression of the Commonwealth’s Sustainable Development Principles, a regional clean energy plan could define how state energy policies could be applied in Metro Boston. Similarly, municipalities must take up the call to incorporate considerations of sustainability in all their planning efforts. As in many areas, regional collaboration may yield more effective and cost-efficient solutions.
1) Coordinate state and regional efforts
In order to be effective, state and regional efforts must be coordinated. Regional policies and plans can be critical for promoting clean energy and for regulating renewable energy development. While this strategy provides numerous recommendations for advancing energy conservation and renewable sources, it is not an energy plan, per se. A more in-depth regional clean energy plan could pinpoint opportunities for clean energy production, capital investments, and interlocal collaboration.
Many actions to increase sustainability require municipal action; in particular, the Commonwealth’s new Green Communities Program provides direct financial assistance to municipalities that have met certain criteria. Many communities have the motivation to participate in this program but need assistance to implement the program’s recommendations. The state should find resources to support the technical assistance necessary to help municipalities make progress.
1.a Develop a regional clean energy plan
1.b The Commonwealth should support technical assistance for all municipalities to meet the eligibility criteria for the Green Communities Program
2) Incorporate sustainability practices into municipal planning and operations
The dramatic changes in energy costs expected over the coming decades demand new practices for both the public and private sector. The faster these sustainable practices are incorporated into municipal operation, the better equipped the region will be to remain successful and competitive through changing times. More immediately, efforts to advance sustainability will help municipalities to save money on energy, thereby providing some relief to municipal finance.
There are a variety of structures that can support and guide municipal efforts to increase sustainability. Municipal energy committees provide an official platform for advocates to help steer municipal operations. The International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives is a membership organization that provides tools and resources to support local efforts. The EPA-sponsored Community Energy Challenge provides technical assistance to help municipalities reach self-defined goals for energy conservation.
2.a Residents should create municipal energy committees, with the support of MAPC and advocacy organizations
2.b Municipalities should join ICLEI, either individually or through an MAPC “group membership.”
2.c More municipalities should participate in the Community Energy Challenge
3) Pursue regional collaboration for energy services and technical assistance
As municipalities throughout the region work to make their operations and policies more sustainable, most are likely to need technical assistance (such as energy audits) and policy advice from external experts. Regional purchasing and assistance programs can help cities and towns to access needed support more cost effectively. A coordinated regional technical assistance program can also help to disseminate best practices and lessons learned.
MAPC already has considerable experience with implementing collective procurement programs that provide considerable advantages to municipalities: more competitive costs, with less municipal staff time spent on procurement activities and contract oversight. Regional procurement of energy services (such as performance contracting, energy audits, or even energy service) would allow municipalities to realize similar benefits.
While energy and water sustainability is a rapidly changing field, few municipalities will have the resources to provide staff dedicated to sustainability. A regional energy circuit rider or staff member shared among multiple municipalities could provide “in house” support for sustainability efforts without the cost of adding another municipal staff member or paying for professional development of existing staff. Such a position could be an MAPC staff member or a consultant contracted through regional procurement conducted by MAPC.
3.a MAPC should develop a program for regional procurement of energy services, including municipal energy audits
3.b MAPC should work with municipalities to develop a pilot program for an energy circuit rider or shared staff.
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