1 Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection (ACCCP) Reading Climate Action Plan Update Report to the Reading Board of Selectman February 24 th, 2009

2 Current State of Climate Change (2003)

3 Advisory Committee on the Cities for Climate Protection Program “Seeks to achieve environmental, economic and societal sustainability by raising public awareness and influencing the community, including its government, to reduce detrimental environmental impacts and energy expenditures.” Now have: –5 Full Members –4 Associate Members ACCCP

4 1.Conduct a Green House Gas Emissions Inventory 2.Set an Emission Reduction Target 3.Develop a Local Action Plan 4.Implement the Local Action Plan 5.Monitor Progress and Report Results CCP Program Milestones

5 Total Reading Emissions: 292,000 tons Milestone 1: Result

6 Milestone 2 - Target: Reading to reduce its Greenhouse Gas emissions 10% by 2012 Milestone 3 - Climate Action Plan: Completed in February of 2008 Milestone 4 – Implementation: Update on Progress Tonight Milestone 5 - Monitor: Baseline year: 2000 with data from Benchmark against our baseline this year using 2008 data Milestones 2 through 5: Status

7 6 Action Groups:  Modes of Transportation  Vehicle Fuel Efficiency  Energy & Buildings  Lawns, Trees and Water Conservation  Education & Outreach  Awards and Recognition Action Plan Organization

8 Ongoing Upcoming Active Police Units on Bicycles Non-motorized Transport to School Program Looped Bus Service Municipal Employee Commute Program Walkable Reading Community Ride-Share Program Increased Safety for Bicyclists & Pedestrians Mixed Use and Transit Oriented Development Local and Regional Trails Public Transportation Expansion Long Term Modes of Transportation

9 Actions Taken:Schools RPD Joshua Eaton and Parker Middle School joined in 2007 Barrows, Killam & Wood End Elementary followed in 2008 Birch Meadow and Coolidge joined in 2009 ParkerWon innovation award for a dance party Was awarded infrastructure analysis & possible SRTS grant TownWas selected as host site for MassBike bike rodeo in 2008 ACCCPFeatured related Green Sense columns Next Steps &RPDContinue to work with schools and enforce traffic safety at schools Further Recommendations: ACCCPContinue publicity through Green Sense articles & RCTV Non-Motorized Transport to School

10 Actions Taken:ACCCP & Town Applied for and were awarded the Boston MPO 3-year, $365,000 grant which requires town matching TownAsked the Boston MPO to postpone the grant ACCCPPrepared but postponed a shuttle presentation for November Town Meeting Next Steps & Further Recommendations: TownEnsure grant is still viable once the town is able to support it. ACCCPReview Nelson Nygaard parking study for further funding ideas once town development proceeds Looped Bus

11 Actions Taken:ACCCPInvestigated & recommended Mass Rides Rideshare Program Arranged Mass Rides representative to come to Reading Act as the Mass Rides coordinator for the town TownJoined MassRIDES and encourages employee ridesharing Next Steps &TownIncrease participation of town employees in Mass Rides Further Recommendations: ACCCPExplore viability of ZipCar as part of 40R development Encourage Reading School Dept. participate in MassRIDES Feature in RCTV program within the year Investigate use of informal carpooling arrangements Mass Rides Work with Reading’s Transportation Coordinator on outreach programs to encourage ridesharing among town employees Municipal Employee Commute

12 Municipal Purchasing Policy Municipal No Idling Policy School-wide No-Idling Policy Community No-Idling Campaign Community Vehicle Maintenance Program Community Fuel Efficient Car Choice Municipal Vehicle Maintenance Program Ongoing Upcoming Active Long Term Vehicle Fuel Efficiency

13 Actions Taken:ACCCPDrafted language for town purchasing policy Compiled list of how much energy home appliances use for Pledge TownPurchases fuel-efficient vehicles & environmental products per policy Plans to install a virtual desktop system to save energy and $ Next Steps & Further Recommendations: ACCCPFind ways to demonstrate how the town is setting an example in purchasing and give residents energy efficient tips. Municipal Purchasing Policy

14 Actions Taken:TownAdopted and implemented a No-Idling policy for town employees, consistent with the Massachusetts No Idling law. DPWInstalled ‘No Idling’ curb-side signs at Town Hall Next Steps &DPWInstall signs at RPL once garden work is complete Further Recommendations: TownFurther encourage town employees to minimize idling time ACCCPFeature in an RCTV program Municipal No-Idling

15 Actions Taken: ACCCPDesigned ‘No Idling’ curb-side signs Distributed ‘No Idling’ car window decals to schools ACCCP & School Superintendent Developed and implemented No Idling parent pledge in all elementary & middle schools in October 2008 DPWInstalled ‘No Idling’ curb-side signs at all schools SchoolsPurchased ‘No Idling’ signs and distributed pledge materials Next Steps & Further Recommendations: ACCCPAssess success of the program and offer additional help Feature in an RCTV program School-Wide No-Idling

16 Municipal Energy Efficient Buildings LED Light Replacement Program Community Energy Conservation Program Community Renewable Energy Program Town By-Law & Master Plan Review Green Building Program Municipal Renewable Energy Program Ongoing Upcoming Active Long Term Energy/Buildings

17 Actions Taken:TownUpgraded Reading’s Route 28 Traffic Lights to LED as part of the redevelopment of the Downtown area Was awarded a grant to replace four traffic light systems with LEDs, (state did not fund the grant when it was determined that the amount applied for would not cover all the lights) RMLDUpdated Commercial Lighting Rebate Program to incorporate upgrade to LED Exit signs Next Steps &TownContinue to look for grants for LED replacements Further Recommendations: RMLDContinue to promote the Commercial Lighting Rebate Program. LED Light Replacement Program

18 Actions Taken:RMLDCreated an Energy Efficiency Engineer (EEE) job position Expanded its conservation and efficiency rebate programs Is incorporating new renewable energy incentives ACCCPCalled for residents to reduce their home electricity use by 10% in the pledge Next Steps &RMLDFill the Energy Efficiency Engineer Position Institute new conservation and renewable programs Further Recommendations: ACCCPCreate related RCTV programs. Community Energy Conservation

19 Municipal Renewable Energy Recommendations:TownForm team to investigate the feasibility and advantage of Reading as a Massachusetts EOEA: Green Community Candidate Members should include but not limited to: –Reading Energy Committee –ACCCP –RMLD

20 Residential Water Conservation Program Municipal Shade Tree Program Community Shade Tree Program Low Impact Development Program Green Yard Campaign Ongoing Upcoming Active Long Term Lawns, Trees & Water Conservation

21 Solid Waste Reduction/Recycling Awareness School Climate Change Educational Program Public Outreach & Education Programs Student and Youth Group Projects Ongoing Upcoming Active Long Term DPW: Reading Recycles: Education & Outreach

22 Actions Taken:RPSC Reading Public Schools Conserve Newly formed action committee Members representing each school, RMLD and ACCCP Initiated to bring across-the-board conservation measures into schools and educate and engage students in conservation activities to be incorporated into schools Next StepsRSPCImplement school/student programs & Further Recommendations: ACCCPRCTV Program on RPSC School Climate Change Education

23 Ongoing Actions:ACCCPWrote weekly Green Sense articles Conducted Pledge:10% KWh reduction Kept website current Hosted the 2nd annual Earth Day Fair (3d annual Earth Day Fair: April 4 th, 2009) Attended climate related seminars and meetings Actions Taken:ACCCPMember on Public Schools Conserve & Energy Committees Began planning & education for pilot RCTV program Applied for grants for Shuttle Bus and LED lights Next Steps &ACCCPAir pilot ACCCP RCTV program by summer Create energy resource bank for residents for library checkout Further Recommendations: ACCCP Town Determine how best to incorporate ACCCP information into town website Public Outreach & Education

24 Business Annual Pledge Green Professionals Recognition Program Ongoing Upcoming Active Long Term Awards & Recognition

25 See you at the RMLD on April 4 th for our 3 rd Annual Earth Day Fair & Electronics Recycling Day Questions?