Make Your Next Car an EV to Take Advantage of Federal Tax Credits and State Rebates
Are you thinking about buying an electric vehicle (EV)? Register now for a free event where you can test drive up to two dealer EVs and chat with Wellesley residents who already own EVs and hybrids. Now is an ideal time to buy an EV, because federal tax credits, state rebates, and a Wellesley off-peak charging electric bill credit are available. The Wellesley EV Test Drive and Showcase takes place Thursday, May 9th, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot across from MassBay Community College at 50 Oakland Street in Wellesley. The rain date is Thursday May 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. You are invited, and test drives are available based on order of registration. A valid driver’s license is required. As of April 17, the following makes and models are expected to be available for test drive:
There are plenty of great reasons to buy an EV beyond the discounted price as a result of federal and state incentives. EV owners save $500 a year to ‘fill it up’ at home because electricity is less costly than gasoline as a fuel source. Second, oil changes are eliminated and EVs require less frequent servicing, so EVs cost on average $8,000 less than a gasoline-powered car in maintenance costs over the life of a car. The initial purchase cost for eligible EVs vehicles can be offset by a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 at the time of purchase. In addition, the state of Massachusetts offers up to a $3,500 rebate (and an additional $1,500 for income-qualified applicants.) Massachusetts EV buyers who trade-in an eligible internal combustion engine, or gas-powered, vehicle qualify for an additional $1,000 rebate. The Wellesley Municipal Light Plant also offers a $96 annual electric bill credit for EV owners who charge their vehicles during off-peak hours. To learn more about sustainable mobility, including EVs, visit Get Around Sustainably. Vehicle exhaust accounts for nearly 40% of Wellesley’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Driving an EV is one way you can take personal action to reduce the emissions that lead to climate change asEVs do not produce tailpipe emissions. This event is hosted by the Town of Wellesley’s Municipal Light Plant, Climate Action Committee, and Sustainable Wellesley. About Climate Action in Wellesley The Climate Action Committee fosters awareness and mobilizes the collective action of residents, businesses, educational institutions, and town employees in Wellesley to combat the existential crisis of climate change. Through education and advocacy, we strive to reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy, and cultivate a resilient environment for present and future generations. The Town’s Climate Action and Sustainable Mobility Plans provide roadmaps for reaching the Town of Wellesley’s goal to reduce the town’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by 2050, in concert with the state of Massachusetts and the nation’s carbon neutrality goals. Wellesley Drives Electric, offered by the Municipal Light Plant, offers information about the savings and benefits of driving an electric car and one-on-one EV advice to residents. Sustainable Wellesley, is a nonprofit organization that engages Wellesley 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. About MassBay Community College MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. To learn more about MassBay, visit www.massbay.edu. Wellesley Energy Coaches are here to help you move to electric in your home, your car and your office. At NO COST.
They can offer advice about:
Get Started Here An energy coach will reach out within 48 hours to schedule a consultation. The local volunteers trained in clean energy technologies help residents explore, plan for, and initiate actions associated with home/building weatherization, efficient electric heat pump systems, solar power, electric vehicles, and other energy adaptations to save money, make our homes healthier and more comfortable, and address climate change. Questions? Email [email protected] Having a municipal utility in town, Wellesley is better positioned than other communities to transition to clean electricity. Two thirds of the Town of Wellesley's energy is from non-emitting sources, making moving to electric in our community, the healthy way to go. Transitioning away from gas is critical to meet the Town's, State's and Federal emissions reduction goals. Please try something new and do better for the next generation. Happy Earth Day, Month, Year!
Collectively our high impact actions help increase clean and healthy air, protect our families, community and nature, while creating jobs and national security. This is the decisive moment for action, so please try something new. We can do better for the next generation. There is a lot of support in this community, so feel free to reach out to [email protected]. Let us know all you are accomplishing, big and small. You are invited!
Monday, May 13, 7:00-8:30p Wakelin Room, Wellesley Free Library Please join a community forum – "Housing and Land Conservation – It Doesn't Have to Be Either/Or" – a panel discussion organized by the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust and co-sponsored by Wellesley Free Library, Building a Better Wellesley, and Sustainable Wellesley. Since in-person attendance is limited to 150 (Zoom is also available), please register at the bottom of the library's announcement page at https://wellesleyfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/12381780 The objective of the panel is to provide a forum for ideas as to how pro-active collaboration between community housing proponents and land conservation advocates can lead to successful outcomes. To start the panel, three individuals – one each from a land trust, a housing interest group, and a planning perspective – will describe their experiences along the way to a successful collaborative project. Each will describe their specific project and lessons learned. After the presentation of the examples, we will have three local responders – one each from our housing, land trust, and planning communities – respond to these examples. What lessons can be applied to pro-active planning for Wellesley's community housing and land conservation needs. Questions from the audience are welcomed. Since attendance is limited to 150, please register at the bottom of the library's announcement page at https://wellesleyfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/12381780 Thanks Green Needham for this story!
Right down the street in Needham there is another example of net energy home. These super energy efficient houses generate enough solar power to provide all the electricity needed for the home’s heating, cooling, hot water, cooking, and other electrical systems. Green Needham has already profiled one family’s process of deciding to build a zero net energy home and condo neighbors who retrofitted their 1860-sq.-ft units to drastically reduce the carbon footprints. Now let’s take a look at another Needham home and learn more about the building techniques that create a home with no carbon emissions and no utility bills. The construction of this home, which uses the most energy-efficient technology currently available, differs from traditional construction methods in several important ways. It’s all in the envelope! The builder is paying great attention to the “envelope” of the house, the exterior shell that separates the home from the outside world. Energy efficient houses have tight envelopes to minimize the flow of air and moisture between the home and the outside. When the airflow in and out is minimized, a house needs much less heating and cooling, which saves energy and reduces costs. To achieve a tight envelope, the builder has created a continuous exterior wrap of foam over the house studs and foundation, to keep heat from migrating through the framing to the outside world. The wall framing uses a special stud called a T-stud. T-studs have spaces in the center to allow spray foam insulation to flow through the stud itself, which further helps to keep heat from leaking to the outside. In addition, the builder has installed triple pane windows that open like casement windows and provide a tight seal when closed. But won’t the house be too tight? Haven’t we been hearing about the importance of fresh air and ventilation? But no, an envelope cannot be too tight. A home with a tight envelope keeps the air quality healthy using ventilation and air filtration systems. A leaky house allows heat to escape and moisture and air contaminants to enter the home. A tight house manages the flow of air and filters it as it enters the home to ensure that the air is as healthy as possible. No fossil fuels! The house is powered entirely by electricity. Most, if not all, of the home’s electricity will come from a rooftop solar system. Because the house has a tight envelope, its energy needs will be modest for its size, and the electricity generated by the solar panels is likely to be sufficient. The home’s HVAC system will be a geothermal heat pump, powered, like the rest of the house, by the solar panels. In a geothermal system, water circulates in underground pipes, capturing the constant temperature of the earth below, and transferring the warmth or cooling to the building. Geothermal is the most efficient HVAC system currently available, and it has the lowest carbon footprint of any HVAC system. Energy Efficient Details. Finally, the home has many interior features that will increase its energy efficiency and the comfort of the family members. The house uses radiant floor heat in all living areas and the HVAC system has separate controls for each major room. The interior walls are well-insulated, which keeps the house quiet and allows the family to heat and cool only the areas that are in use. The plumbing drain incorporates a heat exchanger called a Power Pipe. This ingenious device captures some of the heat energy that goes down the drain when you are doing laundry or taking a shower. The captured energy, which is normally wasted, is used to preheat the water flowing into the water heater so the heater doesn’t have to work as hard. This beautiful home is large, but the same technology can be used in a house of any size. The advanced construction techniques and HVAC system allow any house to use less energy for heating and cooling. And the low energy use makes it much easier, in turn, to install a solar system that is large enough to power the home. The upfront costs to build this energy-efficient home are slightly higher than traditional construction, but the additional cost will be recouped over time, as an energy efficient building is economical to run. Think of your monthly utility bills. The goal for this home is to reduce that monthly expense to zero. These technologies are easier to install when a home is first built, but some of them, such as solar panels and electric HVAC systems, can be added during renovations or when systems need to be replaced. Moving toward net-zero housing is beneficial for both the homeowner and the environment! The Reusables Area at the Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF) is open for the 2024 season.
The hours of operation are:
Volunteers are always needed for the Reusables Area. Please contact the RDF Office for information. When using the Reusables Area, please remember that decisions to accept/reject large items are made on a case-by-case basis. Please be considerate of other users. Questions? Email [email protected] UU Wellesley Hills is hosting a Rummage Sale this Saturday, April 20th at 309 Washington Street
from 9am-1pm. Nothing better than re-using items. Pre-loved treasures await you!. Looking for a School vacation activity? Date night activity?
Head over to the Peabody Essex Museum for their impressive “Our Time on Earth” exhibit. This is a major new immersive exhibition from London’s Barbican Centre showing how, through technology, we can reveal the natural world like never before, and approach the climate crisis in ways that inspire hope and positivity. Our Time on Earth is organized around three key themes: Belong: This section of the exhibition tells the story about how we connect to other species to help us understand – and embody – our place in the biosphere. Imagine: Discover new artworks and commissions that show positive possibilities for the future. There isn’t just one solution to the climate emergency, and this section presents multiple possible visions for how we could create a radically different world. Engage: Once inspired by these imaginative works and future-looking approaches, you may ask: What can I do to make a difference? The Engage section will address this and empower you to act. If you're looking for a new printer, consider a 'tank' printer. They have refillable tanks of ink that live in the printer instead of expensive ink cartridges and all the waste that goes with them.
One of our Leadership Team Members, Quentin, has had an Epson EcoTank printer for 6 years and swears by it. Here is a list of recommended printers that are available now - for color, black and white, and photos: www.techradar.com/best/ink-tank-printer. Send your sustainability tips to [email protected]. Thank you Tatiana for giving it your all and running the Boston Marathon to raise money and awareness about climate action in Wellesley. Also, a big thank you to those that donated!! Please consider helping her surpass her fundraising goal by donating today. Click here:
www.givengain.com/campaign/tatiana-is-running-the-marathon-for-sustainable-wellesley The money raised from Tatiana's marathon fundraising enhances Sustainable Wellesley's ability to do all that we do, including:
Learn from some incredible gardeners at Wellesley’s Community Gardens on Sunday, April 21st from 1:00 - 3:00 at Wellesley’s Community Garden on Weston Road. The program - co-sponsored by Sustainable Wellesley, Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, and Wellesley’s Natural Resources Commission - will cover site selection, crop suggestions, growing tips, and more.
Longtime gardener, John Spencer will launch the event with tips on how to start a garden. Michael Tobin -- a 15 year Weston Road Community Gardener whose specialty is growing enough garlic to last his family and friends through the entire year, plus use the seed for the next year's crop -- will talk about techniques for minimizing maintenance. Then, Lisa Moore -- Environmental Education, Outreach and Compliance Coordinator for the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission -- who enjoys learning new gardening techniques will offer an opportunity for the community to dip their toes into gardening. Side conversations may include pruning and growing flowers. This community, in-person event is open to anyone interested in starting a garden, including those who already have plots. All attendees will be gifted strawberry starter plants. Please click here to register for the event. See you in the garden! Rain date Is April 28th. Thank you to our co-sponsors: The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust is Wellesley’s local 501(c)(3) non-profit land trust that protects 14 sanctuaries across more than 45 acres of natural land in Wellesley and bordering lands in Needham and Weston. More information about our mission, the sanctuaries and membership can be found at WellesleyConservationLandTrust.org. The Wellesley Natural Resources Commission (NRC) oversees the use, preservation and protection of the town’s parks and conservation areas, serves as tree warden, sets policies for insect control and pesticide use, and protects the town watershed areas. The Commission also appoints the Wetlands Protection Committee and Trails Committee. The NRC serves as administrator for two community gardens in Wellesley that provide rental plots to residents. You are invited to Wellesley's first Climate Cafe on Thursday, April 25, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Wellesley Free Library in the Commons.
Mark your calendars so you can chat with an Energy Coach while enjoying FREE coffee and refreshments. Why should you make time from your busy day? week? life? We can help you save money, increase the value of your property, improve your health, and preserve the planet for the people you love. Learn about: ● Local, state, and federal financial incentives for electrification ●No-cost technical advice to help you prepare to upgrade your HVAC, water heater, and appliances ● Lower heating and cooling costs ● Increased property value ● Improved indoor air quality ● Public transportation ● Impressive financial incentives when you buy an electric vehicle ● A safer yard for children, pets, and the environment ● Reduced waste We can help you shrink your carbon footprint today See you next Thursday! A Zoom Workshop on Transitioning to Electric Equipment and Other Healthier Practices for Residents of Lexington and Wellesley:
Join Quiet Communities Founder Jamie Banks and American Green Zone Alliance President Dan Mabe and other special guests for a discussion about how residents can support a healthy transition away from fossil fuel-powered equipment to improve the health of workers, children, the public, and the environment. Bring your questions. Register here Residents of both towns are invited to attend a hands-on electric equipment demonstration on May 8th at 12:15 p.m on the lawn at Cary Memorial Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington. For more information, contact [email protected] Wellesley's Municipal Light Plant, Wellesley's Climate Action Committee and Sustainable Wellesley are hosting our 5th annual Wellesley EV Test Drive and Showcase on May 9th. Details and registration information coming out soon!
We have many cars secured already, but are looking to add the following vehicles to our showcase area. Please email [email protected] to let us know if this is an option for you and/or if you are willing to help out on the day of. Its a fun, community appreciated day.
The Wellesley EV Test Drive and Showcase Team Tatiana is giving it her all running the Boston Marathon to raise money and awareness about climate action in Wellesley. Please consider helping her surpass her fundraising goal by donating today.
Use this QR code to go to our new WhatsApp group where you can donate to our fundraiser and connect with others in the community taking action on climate in a variety of ways. This Sustainable Wellesley community WhatsApp chat will allow you to see the impact of donations made to Sustainable Wellesley. Maybe you have suggestions on where the funds should go and/or have a climate related initiative you would like funded. The money raised from Tatiana's marathon fundraising enhances Sustainable Wellesley's ability to do all that we do, including:
Thanks for the support! As the weather gets warmer, consider turning off your engine while waiting in car line or elsewhere. Idling is especially dangerous around schools because children are highly susceptible to air pollution from car exhaust. Children's developing lungs have a smaller surface area and a higher inhalation rate (can be over 3x that of adults), which means greater exposure and potentially permanent damage to lung function.
Either way, idling is expensive and illegal. Please join your community in saying "Idle No More in 2024!" With lower fees and the upcoming elementary redistricting, now is the perfect time to sign up for the bus! Wellesley Public Schools has reduced fees to $300/student with a $700 family cap for 2024-25, with more cuts planned for future years. Parents, reduce the amount of time you spend in traffic and help the town reach its goals of reducing carbon emissions! Current families MUST register by April 5. Visit wellesleyps.org/ transportation to read the annual letter and pay fees online.
Thank you to Michael M. for sharing his story about converting to electric from oil and the costs savings.
After attending a Town-sponsored webinar on Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP), we contacted Abode Energy Management to set up a personal Zoom meeting. Abode spoke to us at length about our particular situation: a 100-year-old home with oil heat and radiators, (no ducting or air conditioning), and discussed what solutions might be available to us. We did learn that we would need to upgrade our electrical system from a 100 AMP to a 200 AMP service, and we worked with an excavator, an electrician, and the Town to make that happen. This was less complicated than it sounds. Abode then directed us to the Town's website for a list of approved vendors for ASHPs, and we contacted two of them. Both came to our home and provided a detailed installation proposal and quote. Each vendor proposed unique configurations and different equipment manufacturers. Abode reviewed both proposals to ensure they would be sufficient to heat and cool our home - with no backup system. While Abode deemed both proposals would do the job, they helped us compare them, and even tweaked them, so we felt comfortable moving forward. We chose Endless Energy to install an LG system with two heat pumps. Our first floor has ductless floor units, (as we were sensitive to maintaining the character of our home), the second floor is a ducted system with vents in the ceiling and the air handler in the attic. Our install was completed in December of 2022. We have been very pleased with our conversion to electric from oil. The units are quiet and remote-controllable. Our home maintained a comfortable temperature throughout the past two winters, and it was pure joy to turn on the AC last summer, vs. having to lug heavy, (and noisy and energy-inefficient), window units down from the hot attic. Many people had suggested we keep a "back-up" system for cold days, but with our two heat pumps that has not been necessary. After a severe cold spell two winters ago when the temperature dipped below -10 degrees for two nights in a row and we stayed warm, we removed our furnace, oil tank and radiators. (This required us to replace our oil-powered hot water heater with a heat-pump hot water heater. Abode again assisted us, and we decided on a 55-gallon Bradford White model; we've been very pleased with its performance.) A side benefit of removing the radiators was freeing up lots of floor space in our home. This made a big difference in every room, but especially in our dining room and in a narrow passageway. Finally, the cost savings have been even more dramatic than we had planned. Our energy bills are coming in at less than half of what we have been paying, thanks in part to Wellesley's favorable electric rates, and the high cost of oil. We also realized further savings by discontinuing the insurances on the oil tank, the annual furnace maintenance, and annual chimney cleaning. Abode also assisted us in claiming $10,000 in rebates. Suffice it to say it was a good installation experience all around thanks to the Town, Abode, and Endless Energy, and it's been a great fossil-free solution for heating and hot water, with the added bonus of air conditioning, for our historic home. If you missed the “Clean Heating and Cooling for Your Home” webinar, here are the webinar slides and the webinar recording. If you are considering home weatherization, heat pumps, electric vehicles, watch the recording. If you want some coaching, reach out to a Wellesley Energy Coach at no cost.
During the webinar, they shared information about no-cost home energy audits as well as the financial incentives for electrification. Learn more about residential climate action, why it’s important, and what advisory services and financial support are available to you. SAVE THE DATE(S): May 8 and May 9
Two Lawn Care Events to Inspire a Shift to Cleaner, Greener Landscaping On May 8 from 10-1 p.m., landscape professionals are invited to join Quiet Communities Founder Jamie Banks, an environmental health scientist, and American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) President Dan Mabe at Cary Memorial Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, in Lexington, for education, a discussion about the economics, and a demo of the latest equipment. Lunch will be served. Look for more details, including an announcement about an equipment giveaway very soon. And on May 9 from 7-8:30 p.m., join residents of Wellesley and Lexington via Zoom for a panel discussion to learn about why transitioning away from harmful landscaping practices that routinely include loud, polluting fossil fuel-powered equipment is urgent. The conversation will include ways communities nationwide are insisting on change and working with landscape contractors to support a shift to electric equipment and a chemical-free approach that is healthier for children, pets, and equipment operators. Hear success stories from other communities, understand the challenges and the benefits from a landscape professional's point of view, learn about the full extent of the impacts of noise and related pollution on public health and the environment, and much more. Stay tuned for more details. Questions? Reach out to [email protected]. This beautiful, net zero, Wellesley home will be featured in New England Home magazine as well as discussed at their Discreetly Green Event on April 24th from 5:30 - 8:00pm, North Bennet Street School (150 North Street Boston). This event is free; simply RSVP here.
You are invited to hear from a team of designers about their collaboration on this home that is not only a model of energy efficiency, it's traditional architectural elements blend nicely into the neighborhood. Learn about their building techniques and products which deliver both style and comfort. Speakers include J.B. Clancy of ART Architects, Leslie Fine of Leslie Fine Interiors, and Mathew Roth of Hawthorn Builders and it will be moderated by New England Home's Jenna Talbott. Kudos to Wellesley Town Meeting Members for voting in support of Article 8, the Omnibus Budget & Capital (FY25), which included funding a Transportation Manager.
Town Meeting Members will soon be asked to vote on three motions under Article 40 that will amend the zoning bi-law to adhere to the State's MBTA Communities Act. This State law requires that each town with access to Massachusetts transit create zones near public transportation where multifamily housing can be built by right. Please consider reaching out to your Town Meeting Members to let them know that you would like them to support all motions under Article 40 as it is supports Wellesley’s climate action goals. Not only will this law help combat the housing crisis in Massachusetts, it encourages denser housing, which reduces utility use, preserves open space, and uses fewer resources during construction. In addition, it decreases greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by promoting the reduction of car use through walking, public transportation, and local shopping. Finally, it will also allow our town's workforce to live closer to town, also helping to lower our emissions. Here is a list of Town Meeting Members. Scroll down to your precinct (find it here). If you want their contact information, please email Town Clerk KC Kato at [email protected]. Thank you for reaching out to them to let them know this is important to you and you would like them to vote yes on Article 40. The new Hunnewell Elementary School opened to students on Feb. 26, 2024. Sustainable and high-performance, the school building optimizes the comfort, health, and beauty of the school environment to support students, teachers, and staff. The all-electric, net zero ready school helps meet Wellesley’s town-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The new Hunnewell School design energy use intensity of 27 KBTU per square foot per year is five times more energy efficient than the previous school building. Plans are underway for Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (WMLP) to install solar panels on the roof to further enhance the new building’s sustainability.
Hunnewell School sustainability features include:
The Hunnewell School is an exemplar for future municipal, commercial, and institutional buildings and for residential climate action. Get a video tour here and come see for yourself on May 18th from 11-2 when they are offering community tours. Commercial and institutional property owners are invited to participate in the Town’s Building Energy Roundtable. Contact [email protected] for more information. Are you a Wellesley resident interested in creating a healthier, more comfortable, sustainable home that reduces your greenhouse gas emissions? The Town’s Energy Coaches are here to help you! Read more at this link. As homeowners replace old furnaces and appliances or add air conditioning, they have a great opportunity to improve energy efficiency, electrify their homes, and power with renewable energy. Substantial tax credits and rebates are available. Awareness Campaigns Emphasize Weatherization, Electrification of Home Heating and Cooling, and Sustainable Transportation
The state of Massachusetts and the town of Wellesley have a shared vision for combating climate change. Both recently launched campaigns aimed at empowering individuals through specific actions. The state of Massachusetts’ "Climate Action for All of Us" and the Town of Wellesley’s "Be Part of It!" campaigns recommend these actions:
The Babson Sustainability and Energy Club is hosting its annual Sustainable Conference and this year it is entitled Green Finance and ESG Investing.
You are invited for a day brimming with enlightening conversations, invaluable networking, and expertly curated panels on the forefront of sustainable finance and ESG investing. Get your tickets here for the event on, Friday, April 5 · 9am - 6pm in the Capozzi Room @Olin Hall - 4 Babson College Dr. Immerse yourself in the wealth of knowledge shared by industry leaders from globally recognized organizations such as:
For this edition, our program includes a robust and versatile agenda of speaker sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops. For more information please visit: www.bseclub.org/general-info Seize the moment and secure your place among visionaries and trailblazers. Breakfast, lunch, and the evening networking session are all included with every ticket. |
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