| PROJECTS & PARTNERSHIPS - FUTURES TASK FORCE | |
| IN THIS SECTION: | IN PROJECTS & PARTNERSHIPS |
Futures Task Force Report |
Commuter Rail |
| MEETINGS/EVENTS: TBA | |
Southeastern Massachusetts Council on Sustainability
PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION DESIGNATES COMMONWEALTH'S FIRST OFFICIAL "GREEN COMMUNITIES"
Mass. Global Warming Solutions Act requires that by January 1, 2011 the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA), in consultation with other state agencies and the public, adopt a greenhouse gas emissions target for 2020 that is between 10 and 25 percent below 1990 emissions levels and an implementation plan for achieving the reductions required to meet the target. Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Lakeville Public Library, 4 Precinct Street, Lakeville, MA
Southeastern Massachusetts Council on Sustainability
Massachusetts Safe Route to School Program
Reduce traffic and teach children healthy habits for life. Get your community in line to receive sidewalk and other infrastructure improvements that make it safe for children to walk or to bike to school. Provide safety enhancements, trainings and educational programs at your schools.
Current & Recommended SRPEDD Actions for Sustainability
- Sustainable regional plans (economy, transportation, food, land use, energy)
- Identify prime agricultural soils in region
- South Coast Rail corridor study, including identification of Priority Protection Areas
and Priority Development Areas and identifying Transit Oriented Development
potential and design considerations around stations - Organize community forums, workshops and seminars
- Identify and facilitate opportunities for regional cooperation and cost savings
- Technical assistance and education about best practices and grant opportunities
- Regional Sustainability Plan (economy, transportation, food, land use, energy)
Recommended Municipal Actions for Sustainability
- NEW -Green Communities Progran & Application for Planning Assistance
- NEW -Get Ready to qualify as a Green Community. Read the draft guidelines here.
- Energy audits of municipal buildings
- Replace equipment with Energy Star rated equipment
- Encourage or provide incentives for new development with LEED standards
- Adopt Low Impact Development (LID) regulations
- Increase recycling and reduce waste disposal
- Reduce water use
- Reduce use of toxic materials
- Review zoning codes, building codes and master plans for sustainability barriers
- Adopt regulations with incentives for LEED, renewable energy, brownfield
redevelopment and building reuse and transportation alternatives - Support youth and elder involvement in community service
Helpful Bylaws and Regulations
- NEW - Mass Dept. of Energy Resources Model As-of right Zoning Ordinance or
Bylaw Allowing Use of Wind Energy Facilities - Low Impact Development (LID)
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
- Sustainable Development Code
- Taunton Transit Oriented Development
- Wind Power
- Model Right-to-Farm Bylaw
Local News, Events, and Accomplishments
Fall River joins the EPA's Energy Star Challenge!
Bioneers by the Bay 2009-Connecting for Change
Local Sustainablity Groups
- Fairhaven
- Freetown
- Healthy City Fall River
- Mattapoisett
- New Bedford
- Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy-Ten Mile River Watershed
- UMass Dartmouth Sustainability Initiative
- NEW - Massachusetts Energy Management Services Manual, Model Request
for Responses and Model Contact - NEW - Municipal Light Plant Communities and the Renewable Energy Trust
- Renewable Energy Solutions for Greener Communities
- Energy Star for Government Energy Management Strategy
- Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Energy Audit Program
- Massachusetts DOER-Municipal Energy Managament
- Massachusetts DOER Renewable Energy Funding & Incentives
Food
- Wareham Community Gardens
- Buy Fresh, Buy local - SEMAP's online farm guide
- Massachusetts Agricultural Commissions
- Community Gardens in Fall River
- YMCA Southcoast Share the Harvest Community Garden
- Low Impact Development (LID)
- Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)
- Reducing wastes and recycling- EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge for Municipal
solid waste, electronics, industrial materials, recycling and toxic waste reduction - EPA's Best Management Practices for stormwater management
- Principles & Techniques of Low Impact Development (MAPC Toolkit)
NEW - What Makes a Community Healthy?
The "Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Draft Climate Implementation Plan:
A framework for meeting the 2020 and 2050 goals of the Global Warming Solution Act"
Council on Sustainability
ICLEI
Massachusetts Dept. of Agricultural Resources Farm & Market Report
Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEAL)
UMass Dartmouth Sustainability Initiative
Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP)
Massachusetts Sustainable Development Principles
APA Policy Guide on Planning & Climate Change
Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA's Green Communities: Smart Strategies for a Sustainable Future