 Considering buying an electric vehicle (EV), or just want to better understand what it’s like to own and drive one?
Transportation accounts for 43% of Wellesley’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The Town of Wellesley has set an ambitious climate goal of achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050 and interim goals of a 50% reduction by 2030 and 75% reduction by 2040. Driving an EV is one way you can reduce your environmental impact and help our community reach these goals. Learn more about electric vehicles at three upcoming events to help you become an informed buyer: Thursday September 30, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Energy New England Drives Electric Learn about new EV choices available this year and get your questions answered by EV experts at this National Drive Electric Week virtual event. Sign-up here. Thursday September 30, 7:30 p.m. EVs, PHEVs, Hybrids: Car Options for Today Sharon Kirby, a Wellesley resident and EV owner, will share her firsthand perspective on EVs and answer attendee questions at this Sustainable Wellesley virtual event. Sign-up here. Saturday October 2, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Wellesley EV Showcase (part of Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend) View different makes and models of EVs in-person and chat with Wellesley residents about their experiences owning and driving EVs. This event takes place at the Cameron Street parking lot in Wellesley. Sign-up here. EVs are fun to drive and more affordable than ever, thanks to a $7,500 federal tax credit, a $2,500 Massachusetts state rebate, and a Green Energy Consumer Alliance Drive Green discount. And the savings continue, because an EV owner can save up to $1,000 per year on fuel and maintenance costs when compared to a traditional gas powered vehicle. “We can all help combat climate change by choosing an EV the next time we buy or lease a new or used car," said Dr. Marybeth Martello, Wellesley’s Sustainability Director. "The U.S., along with more than 140 other nations, the state of Massachusetts, and Wellesley are actively working to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. We all can make a difference.” ABOUT These EV events and information are offered at no cost to all residents through a partnership between: Sustainable Wellesley, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that engages residents, businesses and the town of Wellesley to take sustainable actions to protect our climate; reduce pollution of air, land and water; preserve biodiversity; minimize waste; and ensure environmental justice. The Wellesley Climate Action Committee which engages our community and establishes goals, actions, metrics, and implementation blueprints for building resilience and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Wellesley Drives Electric, a program offered by the Municipal Light Plant to inform Wellesley residents about the benefits of driving an electric car and the electric utility bill savings available by charging an EV at home overnight. Contact Terry Connolly, Wellesley Municipal Light Plant for more detail at 781-489-7766 or at tconnolly@wellesleyma.gov.  Create Healthy Habits While Helping Wellesley Reduce Its Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The new school year is a chance to begin new routines. Recent climate studies show that 30% of Wellesley's traffic is school-related transportation. Instead of driving, start some new school traditions this fall. - Get together with friends and walk to school - Form neighborhood walking groups with other parents, caretakers, families – take turns leading the group. - Ride bikes or scooters with neighbors. -Check in with the Wellesley Public Schools to see if there is space on the bus: it is free if you live more than 2 miles from school. More information on Wellesley's upcoming “Safe Routes to School” walking and biking initiative is coming out soon. Learn more about it from the Town's Mobility Committee members (see below). Better yet, consider participating in it by serving as a parent representative for your school. Wellesley Select Board member Colette Aufranc at caufranc@wellesleyma.gov Wellesley School Committee Chair Catherine Mirick at mirickc@wellesleyps.org  Concerned About the Efficiency of Your Water Heater?
Sustainable Wellesley has teamed up with HomeWorks Energy to help spread the word about no-cost virtual Home Energy Assessments and the importance of energy efficiency in all seasons. Water heaters decrease in efficiency as they age. Upgrading an old water heater to a more energy-efficient unit can help save money on energy use and lower your carbon footprint. Schedule a no-cost Home Energy Assessment today to unlock access to professional advice from a Home Energy Specialist about your hot water tank. Ask about the Mass Save® HEAT Loan, a 0% interest rate loan for up to 7 years, that can be used to help finance new heating systems. The sponsors of the Mass Save program also offer generous rebates for qualified water heaters! Schedule your Home Energy Assessment here, and for every performed Assessment, HomeWorks Energy will support Sustainable Wellesley with a donation. Save money and support us at the same time by signing up today!  The Federal Tax Credit, MA State Rebate, and Drive Green Dealer Discounts Can Lower the Purchase Price of an Electric Vehicle
The town of Wellesley is striving to achieve a 50 percent, community-wide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. Transportation currently accounts for 43 percent of Wellesley’s greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) are an important part of Wellesley’s emissions reduction strategy along with increased biking, walking, and use of public transit. For those considering buying a new EV, current federal tax credit, state rebate, and Green Energy Consumer Alliance Drive Green programs offer significant savings. The Drive Green program, for example, offers negotiated dealer discounts on EVs from a range of makers, including Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, and Nissan, making it easy to compare prices and find a dealership with knowledgeable sales staff. Special offers on pre-owned EV and hybrid vehicles are also available. Tesla EVs are not part of the Drive Green program. “Transportation, along with buildings, is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Wellesley,” said Dr. Marybeth Martello, Wellesley’s Sustainability Director. “Every one of us can help combat climate change by replacing older, gas-powered vehicles with EVs. EV purchase incentives make it more cost-effective for each of us to do our part.” As one example, a new Hyundai Kona Electric, an EV with a battery range of 258 miles, is now available for just $24,497. Normally retailing for $38,575, this EV is available now for $14,078 less, thanks to a Green Energy Consumer Alliance Drive Green discount, a federal tax credit, and the state of Massachusetts MOR-EV rebate: $38,575 Retail price ($4,078) Drive green dealer discount ($2,500) MA state rebate ($7,500) Federal tax credit $24,497 Final effective price To learn about the Green Energy Consumer Alliance, click here. To learn more about Wellesley’s Climate Action Plan, click here. To comment or ask a question, email climateaction@wellesleyma.gov.  There are electric car charging stations everywhere you want to go this summer.
Its possible to relax at the beach, enjoy parks, visit family and friends all without using a drop of fuel! Thinking of buying an electric vehicle? Use Plugshare or ChargePoint to find convenient places to charge your car. We would love to hear about your recent EV purchase and your experiences. Please share them at info@sustainablewellesley.com. Know that driving less and driving electric are impactful ways you can help Wellesley, Mass., and the federal government reach greenhouse gas reduction goals and build resiliency.  Join Mother's Out Front's second Climate Action Call to take quick and effective action in just 45 minutes! This month, we’ll be advocating for legislation to make clean heat, clean air, and healthy soils a reality across the Commonwealth.
This event is designed for everyone - from curious newcomers to long-time volunteers. We’ll give you everything you need to take action right on the call. No experience necessary to help move forward legislation designed to protect all Massachusetts communities from environmental pollution and climate change. REGISTER HERE  If you missed the Sustainable Wellesley/Wellesley Books discussion with author Paul Greenberg about his inspiring, accessible book, the Climate Diet last week, you can watch it here.
What a treat for our group to hear directly from the author! "Naked food" and "shipped vs. flown" were just a few of the inspirational stories he shared on ways we can address our own household carbon footprints. As Paul says, "everyone can and should do something," and this book offers a wide array of things you can do. He calls this book a "peace offering," for adults and teens/millennials that shares ideas that are not only good for the planet, but good for your health and wallet too. Take some time to read The Climate Diet this summer. Its short, informative and available at the library and the local book store! Then share the book; we all have something to learn.  Award-winning food and environmental writer Paul Greenberg will join a discussion of his book, The Climate Diet: 50 Simple Ways to Trim Your Carbon Footprint tomorrow, Thursday, at 7 p.m., sponsored by the nonprofit Sustainable Wellesley and Wellesley Books.
Greenberg’s short book provides an accessible guide to caring for the planet right now. Register here to receive a Zoom link for the event. You can purchase a copy of the book from Wellesley Books here or visit the Wellesley Public Library. Wellesley Books will donate a portion of sales to Sustainable Wellesley. The book opens with this question: “Should we do nothing? Or should we do something?” In the 120+ pages that follow, Greenberg provides a list of urgent, achievable actions that could add up to big impact; for example, switch from beef to chicken to cut your carbon footprint by a fifth, hang your clothing to dry instead of using the dryer, which is “the second-most energy-intensive appliance in your home (after water heaters),” or reimagine your gift giving to include less packaging and more creativity. Readers are urged to take steps to cut carbon emissions and generate less waste, but also to tackle broader efforts like writing to government representatives to support legislation that fosters big change. Greenberg writes that “no one responds to a finger in the face.’ Instead, he suggests that concerned citizens use their own knowledge of issues to inform and encourage support from leaders. Shifting to sustainable practices is not just better for the planet, Greenberg suggests, but improves quality of life by leading to cleaner air, quieter neighborhoods, and nourishing, more delicious food. To start, readers are urged to ask questions like, do you really need or want to travel to a business conference, or could the next event be virtual? Or just how far did that pineapple travel before it arrived in your fruit bowl? The book-group discussion will include a slide-show presentation and Q&A with the author, followed by community discussion. Space is limited, so please sign up today. The Climate Diet is a book to read, discuss and then take along to revisit while sitting on a porch this summer. Pass the book to a friend, or use it as a reference when you wake up at 2 a.m. panicked about the state of our precious natural world. Don’t fret, do something! Greenberg assures that we can get started today. Greenberg’s other books include Four Fish, American Catch and Goodbye Phone, Hello World.  Know these folks?
Give them a big shout out!! Congratulations to Wellesley High Schools' Climate Action Club members Vaani Kapoor, Kaitlin Braun, and Catherine Smith, who won the Community Engagement Award for their work on Solar Power and other initiatives from Project Green Schools' 2021 Green Difference Awards. Also big congrats to Lisa Moore, Wellesley Natural Resources Commission's Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator, on receiving a Project Green Schools' 2021 Green Difference Awards for Outdoor Learning and Education. Thanks to Wellesley Green Schools for taking the time to nominate these outstanding individuals. Way to go, Wellesley! |
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