There are many ways to reduce the impact of your events this season. Thank you Wellesley Green Schools for this helpful Smart Event Guide!

Sustainable Wellesley has teamed up with HomeWorks Energy to help spread the word about no-cost virtual Home Energy Assessments.

Eligible Massachusetts residents who sign up for a Home Energy Assessment get a custom home energy report and access to the Mass Save® HEAT Loan, 100% off air sealing, and 75-100% off approved insulation.

​Your home may qualify for same-day instant savings measures like:

• No-cost LED light bulbs 
• No-cost faucet aerators and water-saving shower heads
• No-cost programmable thermostats
• No-cost advanced power strips

As an added bonus, scheduling through the link here provides Sustainable Wellesley with a donation for every completed Home Energy Assessment. Sign up now to save energy and support Sustainable Wellesley!

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.

New,  Updated Gas Leaks Map shows Wellesley still has 250 unrepaired pipeline leaks, emitting a whooping 91 MT of methane (natural gas).  

This puts Wellesley in the state’s top 11 emitters of methane, with the other 10 being much larger cities & towns:  Worcester, Weymouth, Quincy, Newton, Medford, Lynn, Dorchester, Brookline, Arlington and Boston.

Methane has more than 80 times the climate warming power of carbon dioxide during the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere.

Leaky, corroded pipes run all over under our town and the entire state.  The estimated cost to repair all if these pipes is enormous, at the ratepayers’ expense.   Despite the fact that 70 pipe lines have been repaired in Wellesley so far, it seems even more leaks have sprung anew.

It’s time to stop using “natural “ gas for our heating and cooking. 
Gas is unhealthy, dangerous, costly (we are paying for all those leaks!), and bad for the environment.

Consider going electric! Email us to learn more!

Small gas engines are a leading source of air pollution. Find out why battery powered maintenance equipment is the superior solution.
Join the Electrify Coalition for an important webinar on electric outdoor power tools. We'll be talking with some of the leading experts and advocates for the electrification of the landscape maintenance industry about why this is important, the state of the transition away from gas powered tools, and provide tips on how you can make this transition in your home or community. We will cover:

• How much air pollution and toxic solid waste is produced by gas powered tools
• Why the noise from these tools is not just a nuisance
• How battery powered tools deliver performance and productivity that rivals gas
• The advantages of electric: low operation and maintenance costs, easier to operate
• Tips for homeowners wanting to make the switch
• The transition happening in the commercial landscape maintenance industry
• How cities, schools and communities can electrify their fleets
• The concept of certified Green Zones - fossil fuel free public outdoor spaces

Donations: Please consider donating a couple of dollars for this webinar to the Electrify Everyone Fund. All proceeds from your donations go towards installing free heat pump water heaters in low income homes through the nonprofit Community Energy Project. Your donation will help reduce carbon emissions and lower utility bills for these families. Thank you!
The Electrify Coalition: Our coalition of non-profits, faith based groups, HVAC contractors, youth groups, builders and energy providers is dedicated to accelerate electrification through education and policy.

The RDF Reusables Area has revised hours and instructions for the Drop-Off and Pick-Up/Shopping for items.  

Reusables Area Hours
7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Thursday - DROP OFF ITEMS ONLY
Friday - PICK UP (shopping) ITEMS ONLY
Saturday- BOTH DROP OFF AND PICK UP (shopping)
10 minute area limit - No gatheringWhen using the Reusables Area... 

• Face coverings must be worn at all times.
• 20 person maximum.
• New foot traffic patterns will be in effect.
• The decision to accept/reject large items will be made on a case-by-case basis. 
• No shopping allowed on drop-off days and no drop-off allowed on shopping days. 
• All items subject to change without notice.

Questions? Email dpw@wellesleyma.gov .

Green Collaborative - March 31 - 9 to 10 am on Zoom
Click Here to Register

Please Help Search Out Prospects
 
A key purpose of the Green Collaborative is to find ways to mutually assist in green initiatives.  The Municipal Light Plant, Sustainable Energy Committee, Sustainable Wellesley and the WHS Climate Action Club are reaching out to ask for your assistance.
 
We are in search of the 1 in 50 homeowners who can benefit by purchasing an air source heat pump this year.  The MLP is providing up to $2,000 in rebates.
 
It's a numbers game and we are seeking your help in reaching out to as many homeowners as possible.
 
Our one hour program will provide:

• Context of where this fits into Wellesley's response to the Climate Crisis;
• Information on where and how this equipment adds value; 
• Briefing on how the program will work; and
• Ideas for easy ways you can benefit and help

Please join us on March 31 from 9 to 10 am. Click Here to Register.