To the Editor:
Earth Day is a great time to celebrate our achievements and to assess where we are. Climate change is our biggest challenge.
At the 2021 Town Meeting, Wayland voted to declare a climate emergency, and we created a Climate Action Mobilization Plan with the goal of a minimum 50% reduction in the town’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. We then hired a sustainability manager.
Wayland became a designated Green Community in 2010, and has just received Climate Leader designation, making us eligible for additional grant money. The town installed energy efficient street lights, solar on six town buildings, and heat pumps at the COA and several schools; enhanced building insulation, EV charging stations, and electrification of town buildings; and provided consumer options for renewably sourced electricity. Wayland has adopted the specialized energy code and ZEV First Policy.
Community organizations have educated residents and created programs and free coaching on heat pumps, solar, EVs, and induction cooktops.
The latest achievement is the completion of our new fossil fuel-free COA/ Community Center building.
These initiatives are good for the environment and our economy. We have received over $1 million in grants, and our solar arrays bring in more than $120,000 per year.
Going forward, residents can play a big role by reducing home and auto emissions. How? Home energy audits, improved insulation, efficient windows, heat pumps, solar panels, and EVs. For info, go to www.energizewayland.org. Happy Earth Day!
Margie & Tony Lee
Brooks Road
