green news

NEWSLETTER OF GREEN DECADE / NEWTON Over 20 Years of Environmental Leadership 1990 - 2013 VOL.23 - NO. 3 MAY/JUNE 2013

At the Newton Free Library Greening Our Community Series 330 Homer St, Newton 02459

Green Decade helps over 400 homes

As a result of Green Decades outreach efforts, over 400 homes have been weatherized with insulation and other energy efficiency improvements since the fall of 2011. Collectively, we estimate this will save residents over $78,000 annually on their energy bills and 12 metric tons of CO2 (~86 cars off the road) per year! You can sign up for a no-cost home energy assessment (a $300+ value) as part of the MASS SAVE NSTAR Program and you may qualify for 75% off - up to $2000 - insulation and air sealing for your home. Renters, homeowners and landlords living in 1-4 unit buildings with Mass NSTAR and/or National Grid accounts are eligible. Be sure to read the Energy Smart Newton Challenge offer on page 6. Next Step Living, will make a $10 donation to support our work after the assessment is completed. Visit: http://nextsteplivinginc.com/gdn/ or call 866-867-8729. Please mention Green Decade! by Jay Walter

Students for a Greener World & Environmental Leadership Awards

Our spring student program, by students, on how they are making Newton more aware and actively addressing environmental issues featuring: Inspiring videos (Franklin Elementary School) Textile Recycling Project (Newton South H.S.) The decorative and tasty green wall (Newton North H.S.) Students for a Greener World (SGW) our 5th year! K-3 at Solomon Schechter Day School and SGW. In addition, the 2013 Annual Environmental Leadership Awards recognize: Individual: Representative Kay Khan, for her outstanding contribution to making an environmental difference; Community group: Crystal Lake Conservancy, for their ongoing work to foster environmental awareness/activism; Business: Big Belly Solar, whose actions positively impact the health of our planet and local communities.

Monday, May 28 - 7pm:

Chamber green breakfast Wednesday, June 26

Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce Environment Committee invites you to its annual Green Business Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, June 26 at 7:30am at the Newton Marriott Hotel. Please nominate businesses with sustainable practices to info@greendecade.org by May 7. Speakers will be Attorney General, Martha Coakley and Staples Vice President for Sustainable Affairs, Mark Buckley. Call Karen Cherson at the Chamber: 617 244-5300 for tickets and registration.

Tuesday, June 18 - 7pm:

Ecologist Eric Olson has been working on invasive plant infestations for years here in Newton and recently in Waltham as well. He will talk about the ecology of plant invasions, the consequences of invasions on natural ecosystems, and will describe best practices for eradicating six of the most damaging species. Dr. Eric Olson teaches in a graduate program in Sustainable International Development at Brandeis. His students come from over 60 nations and most have little to no scientific background. This teaching challenge has led Eric to develop skills in teaching adult learners about those ecological concepts that lie at the core of sustainability of Earths natural resources and environmental services. In addition, Professor Olson maintains a research focus on forest insect ecology. He was awarded the Newton Conservators Maynard Prize in 2013.

Controlling Invasive Plants in Newton Yards and Parks

Invasive plant pulls

There are several invasive plant pulls happening this spring, sponsored by Newton Conservators. See the details at the Conservators website. Your help is much needed and greatly appreciated - these efforts are making a big difference in Newtons open spaces. http://www.newtonconservators.org/events/invasives_ spring13.pdf To enjoy the many other walks and activities of Newton Conservators, also see the Spring Walk schedule: http://www.newtonconservators.org/events/ walksspring13.pdf

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MAY/JUNE 2013

Newton is now a Solarize Mass Community

An Act for Healthy Families & Businesses

In April, the Mass Dept. of Energy Resources, DOER, awarded a grant to the City of Newton for participation in the Solarize Mass Program through the states Clean Energy Center. The City collaborated with the Newton EcoProject and the Newton Citizens Energy Commission in writing the grant. The program provides a small grant for outreach, promotional materials, training, and technical support to promote PV solar panel installations on residential properties. Solarize Mass works with selected communities to review and select a PV installer who works through the program to offer residents discounts based on a tiered pricing structure. This pricing structure offers larger discounts to homeowners as more Newton residents enter the program. Newtons designated Solar Coach will be Jay Walter of the Eco-project, who will receive training as part of the program. If you would like to get involved in the Solarize Mass program in Newton send an e-mail to SolarizeMassNewton@rcn.com. The City will post a new website page with program details within the next few weeks. by Jay Walter

Bostons Climate Action Plan

On Monday, May 20 at 7pm, Green Needham will be hosting Brian Swett, Chief of Environment and Energy for the City of Boston to present Bostons Climate Action Plan. This event is open to the public and will be held at the Needham Public Library Community Room, 1139 Highland Ave., Needham, MA, 02494. The City of Boston is the economic engine for our region. In 2007, Mayor Tom Menino recognized both the threats and the opportunities that climate change poses for the City and our region. The City of Boston developed its initial climate action plan that year, and updated it in 2011. The threat is visibly demonstrated in an image showing the large areas of Boston that would have been under 2 4 feet of water had Superstorm Sandy hit at high tide. That is the level of mean high water expected in Boston by midcentury. Climate action will also bring significant economic benefits to Boston. Energy efficiency and behavior change can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, transportation, and solid waste-and produce net savings of over $2 billion by 2020 through lower energy bills. Demand for energy-and climate-related services will create thousands of jobs. Taking the necessary steps to prepare for climaterelated change will ensure that Bostons economic and social infrastructure remains strong. Brian will take us through Bostons comprehensive climate action plan, addressing mitigation, adaptation, community engagement, social equity and how responding is driving innovation, economic opportunity and economic growth for Boston and our region. by Michael Greis

Massachusetts can protect the health of its citizens and reduce health care costs by passing legislation that would replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives wherever feasible. Such legislation is moving forward in the State House thanks to the work of several legislators committed to protecting our health. On March 27th the legislatures Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture gave a favorable report on S.387 An Act for a competitive Eeonomy through safer alternatives to toxic chemicals, filed by Senator Marc Pacheco. Similar legislation was also filed this session by Rep. Jay Kaufman and Sen. Kenneth Donnelly (H.235/S.354, An Act for Healthy Families and Businesses). Newtons State Senator Cynthia Creem and our State Representatives, Ruth Balser and Kay Khan, are to be commended for signing on as co-sponsors to the Donnelly/Kaufman bills. With this bill, we have an opportunity to make sweeping changes in favor of health and environment this year, changes that could be a model for the rest of the country. There has never been a better time to push for toxics legislation. The majority of small businesses are in favor of strong toxics legislation, and consumers are demanding safer, healthier chemicals in products we all use every day. Our journey to pass the Healthy Families and Businesses Act is off to a great start. The bill is now expected to go to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Please contact your Senator to urge him or her to support S.387 and help bring the bill to the Senate floor for a vote soon. Every Senators help is needed to take the necessary steps toward turning this consumer protection bill into law. Together we can create a greener, healthier Massachusetts. For more info visit http://www. malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H235 by Elizabeth Saunders, Clean Water Action

May 1 - Steve Heinrichs teaches Bicycling for Grownups, refresher class to learn to bike safely on busy streets: May 11, 10 am-2 pm- Bike Newton & Newton Bike/Ped TF bicycle check-ups tires, brakes, chains. City Hall War Memorial Circle. Monday evening group rides for all ages begin in May. New: Sunday morning rides for 4th 8th graders with an adult. Info in NewtonTAB, Newton Patch, last minute info: bikenewton.org. May 12 - Bike Newton partners with Genco Foundations 2nd Annual Mothers Day Memorial Ride; Register with family and friends at www.CCGFoundation.org Bike lane redesign, repainting, is planned for Beacon St, Langley Rd, Centre St & Walnut St. as weather permits. Report debris and sand in bike lanes and roadway edges to 311 or www.newtonma.gov Check out www.bikenewton.org

Bike Newton announcements

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Support Climate Protection Act for energy, economy & environment

We live in an energy-intensive society and the effects of climate change advance faster than predicted by science. Now there are glimmers of a solution in the form of a new bill recently introduced in the Senate. The bill is the Climate Protection Act sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). The CPA would tax the carbon in fossil fuels and return 60% of the proceeds to households, along with paying down the debt and making investments in clean energy and conservation. A carbon tax is widely recognized as the most economically efficient way to signal consumers and businesses that it is in their economic interest to decarbonize. Making fossil fuels more expensive will stimulate

Thanks for donations go to:

(for contributions received Mar-April) FRIENDS: Susan W. Abbott, Lynne & Dick Bail, Joan & Ethan Bolker, Charlene & Marvin Brotman, Richard Carver, Alderman Deborah Crossley & Philip Vance, Michael & Suzanne Cuccurullo, Marian Dioguardi, Jill Hahn & Andrew McAfee, Ann & Bill Hartner, Philip Herr, Ann Hulsing, Anne Ipsen, Ted Kaplan, Ira Krepchin & Janice Kahn, Betsy Leavitt, Jiaming & Cindy Li, Brooks Mathewson, Rebecca Matthews & James Wallack, Rustin McIntosh, Matthew Pawa, Nathan & Robyn Phillips, Preservation Properties, Norman Richardson & Daphne Collins, Virginia & Bill Robinson, Adam Ruttenberg & Michelle Blauner, Roman & Liza Schumann, Howard & Sharon Sholkin DONORS: AnnaMaria & Fred Abernathy, Alison Conant & Richard Frank, Dianne Dumanoski & Carlo Obligato, John Freedman, Ken Hamilton, Harriet & Richard Kahn, Peter & Cheryl Lloyd, Chris Steele, Mark & Alla Webster PATRONS: Larry Denenberg, Bonnie Glickman & Sam Frank BENEFACTOR: Hugh Wilkinson BUSINESS BENEFACTOR: Next Step Living Inc.

private investment in conservation, efficiency, and clean energy, igniting the clean energy revolution for real. These investments will grow employment, increase the pace of economic activity, and thereby reduce deficits. The CPA and its chances for passage can both be improved with a revenue neutral bill that returns all proceeds to households. This would further reduce the shock to households of adjusting to fossil fuel price increases during the transition to a clean energy economy. It would also reduce political resistance to passage by not growing government and leaving the process of picking clean energy winners and losers entirely in the hands of the free market. Our representatives need to hear from us that we are concerned about climate change and that we accept the need to price carbon to get the free market engaged in finding solutions. Today, tax is a four-letter word in Washington and our representatives believe that to consider taxing energy will cost them their seats. They need to hear that the public is behind them on the need to try this solution. Please write to your legislators in support of a revenueneutral Climate Protection Act to help put us on the path to environmental and fiscal recovery. For more information visit www.citizensclimatelobby.org. by Gary Rucinski, Citizens Climate Lobby Northeast Regional Coordinator*Green Decade supports a carbon tax, and would like to see some or all of the proceeds used to advance energy efficiency.

Newton Community Farm seedling sale

Newtons Community Farm Seedling Sale will take place May 11 and 12, from 12 to 3 pm; rain or shine. Choose from an array of hearty vegetable and herb seedlings to start your garden! There will be 20,000 plants for sale; $5 for a four or six pack. Bring your own boxes or bags. Friends of the Farm can pre-order seedlings starting in April. Visit http:// newtoncommunityfarm.org/ for more information and directions to the farm, 303 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA.

EnviroJAM 2013
May 2 (Thurs) 7-9pm $7.00/ person - Newton North High School, Little Theater, 457 Walnut St, Newton (617) 559-6400 An annual CARBON NEUTRAL musical event since 2008, sponsored by Newton Norths Environmental Club featuring acts by students and teachers! Proceeds donated to the Green Decade -- we will be there with environmental resources and the Magic Energy Bike. So will the Greengineers and others.

Our mission is to create an environment in better balance with the natural world by making significant, measurable improvements in the way we use resources. Goals include helping households, businesses and institutions to: Increase energy efficiency & seek alternatives to fossil/nuclear fuels; Use IPM and organic alternatives to pesticides; Promote high performance (green) building measures; Prevent pollution through source reduction and reduced consumption; Promote reuse and recycling practices; Improve waste disposal practices; Conserve water and other resources. Our programs are designed to build awarness, promote opportunities for public dialogue and educate and empower citizens to take personal and civic action.

Thanks ! and next newsletter deadline

For the next newsletter, please send submissions by e-mail to Ira Krepchin, irapk@alum.mit.edu, by Mon, May 20, 2013. Thanks for making this newsletter possible to Managing Editor Ira Krepchin, Editor Peter Smith and article authors. Many thanks to our mailing volunteers Sue Barber, Marcia Cooper, Roslyn Feldberg, Naomi Osher, Frank & Edie Propp.

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MAY/JUNE 2013

2013 Newton Student Environmental Art Contest

How Our Schools Can Help the Environment
Congratulations and thanks to the students, teachers and schools who participated in this years Environmental Art Contest! Our 2013 environmental artists are from: Angier Elementary, Burr Elementary, Countryside Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Lincoln-Eliot Elementary, Memorial-Spaulding Elementary, Underwood Elementary, Williams Elementary, Zervas Elementary, Solomon Schechter Day School, New Art Center, and Suzuki School of Newton.

Green Medalists
2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade After-School

2013 EnviroArt Contest Committee

Marcia Cooper Margaret Ford Sunwoo Kahng Eric Bobby Diane Jaquith Beverly Droz Tom Boyd Anna Bogstad, Vikram Konanki & Niki Yeracaris

Special Recognition
2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade

Ava & Grace, Zervas - Ava Neal & Grace Grabowski Audrey Gagnon, Franklin Saylor Flannery, Angier Jessica Stephen, Countryside Hoot Hoot, Solomon Schechter Day School Jonah Tillman & Joseph Nickerson

Honorable Mention

Samantha McClintock, Countryside Holyn Brodsky, Lincoln-Eliot Team Bria & Pearl, Zervas - Pearl Berzin & Bria Abbiati EAC, Countryside - Ellie Saksena, Annabel Phoel & Christina Lok Twin Power, Underwood - Grace & Olivia Doherty The Green Team, Zervas - Rebecca Dozortsev & Jordan Smith-Michaels Green Thumbs Up!, Zervas - Dina Kats & Liana Chen Marni & Valerie, Zervas - Marni Sternberg & Valerie Goldstein The Green Thumbs, Burr - Hallie Zenga-Josephson & Yunah Jang Ella Thurber, Burr Cleaner Greeners, Countryside - Sophia Pechan & Audrey Kissin Caleb Abercrombie, Memorial-Spaulding Caroline Murray, Zervas

President, Green Decade/Newton Student Programs Coordinator Schools Outreach Committee Schools Outreach Committee Special Advisor Administrative Coordinator Photographer Contest Poster

2013 Contest Judges:

Arlene Bandes and Marcia Cooper

Student Production Crew

2nd Grade Anna Kaplan, Franklin; Lily Harris, Countryside; Joanne Lee, Countryside; Stefan Lachenmann, Countryside; Preethi Vemula, Countryside; Ella Szymanski, Countryside; Sunny Tian, Countryside; Ian & Jaray - Ian Leonard & Jaray Liu, Countryside; Mary Lareau, Franklin; Lily Murphy, Franklin; Adam Dinjian, Franklin; Griffin Hoeschele, Franklin; Grace Chandonait, Franklin; Meaghan Taylor, LIncoln-Eliot; Isha Muzammel, LIncoln-Eliot; Andre Wissain Kfouri, Lincoln-Eliot; Sage Low, LIncoln-Eliot; Harrison Georgiadis, LIncoln-Eliot; Lyanna Tran, Zervas 3rd Grade Vanessa Phan, Franklin; Grace Melchionno, Franklin; Kianna Hill, Franklin; Talie Membrino, Franklin; Christian Bonadio, Franklin; Ellie McBride, Franklin; Katrina Jones, Franklin; Riley Raker, Underwood; Jessica & Danielle - Jessica Tang & Danielle Chen, Williams; Tree Power Adele Spitz & Yuval Nadler, Zervas 4th Grade Fourthlandia - Jocelyn Sun & Matthew DAgostino, Franklin; Gemma Curcio, Memorial-Spaulding; Kaitlyn Shaughnessy, Memorial-Spaulding; Aden & Kelly - Aden Tager & Kelly Cheng, Memorial-Spaulding; Alexa & Daniella - Alexa Mulligan & Daniella Chalamish, Memorial-Spaulding; Noga & MIkah - Noga Brosh & Mikah Cassidy, Memorial-Spaulding; Milla Goldental, Underwood; Turn It Off - Gabriela Dozortsev & Rana Amini, Zervas 5th Grade Iris Wang, LIncoln-Eliot; Halle Prilik, MemorialSpaulding; Kimiya & Ambar - Kimiya Ehsan & Ambar Cassidy, Memorial-Spaulding; Kathryn Rhatigan, Zervas; Eiiza Madigan, Zervas After-School Captain Planet - Noa Gross & Bayley Basson, Solomon Schechter Day School; Giant Trees - Jordan Goldstein & Jake Hyman, Solomon Schechter Day School; Eden Cherubino, Solomon Schechter Day School

Ariana & Shayan Bakhtyari Anna & Becca Bogstad Julian Hawke Sophie Magidson Maeve ONeil Kaya, Leyla & Zahra Surmeli Max & Sophia Tepermeister Becca & Cassy Turner-Goldsmith Taylor Yeracaris

Sponsors:

NSTAR Whole Foods Market

The Village Bank Green Planet Kids

Supporters:

GreenEnergyNewton.org Newton Schools Foundation Mayors Office of Cultural Affairs NewtonPatch Newton Community Service Center Newton PTO Council

Come and visit Green Decade, Wolverine the Wonder Turtle and local vendors at Newtons Indooor Farmers Market every Tuesday, 1:30-6pm through June 18 at the Hyde Community Center in Newton Highlands!

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Environmental Art Contest winners receive awards

Photos by Tom Boyd and Marcia Cooper

Smiles from elementary student winners, teachers and friends filled the Newton Cultural Center on April 2

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MAY/JUNE 2013

In 2012, Mayor Warren proudly announced the Energy Smart Newton program, an innovative initiative aimed at reducing energy usage city-wide by 20% by the year 2020. Now the Newton Eco-Project, sponsored by Green Decade Newton, is teaming up with the Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce to launch an Energy Smart Newton Challenge with incentives for residents to make their homes more energy-efficient, shop locally and support environmental education projects in Newton. Newton residents living in single family, two, three or four-family homes who sign up for a no-cost Mass Save home energy assessment or a no-cost heating and cooling assessment by October 31, 2013 and complete the assessment by December 31, 2013 will receive a gift card to use at a participating local restaurant. Residents will receive a $10 gift card for a completed home energy assessment or $25 gift card for a completed heating and cooling assessment. A home energy assessment includes an evaluation of air sealing and insulation opportunity, as well as free instant savings measures such as efficient light bulbs and a programmable thermostat. If an efficiency opportunity is identified, participants can receive no-cost air sealing, subsidized insulation installation, generous rebates on appliances and equipment, and a 0% HEAT Loan for new equipment and window replacements. A heating and cooling assessment is an introduction to a heating and cooling system upgrade that provides room-by-room control, lower monthly energy costs, and improved comfort. In addition to the local restaurant gift card offer, energy efficiency provider Next Step Living will contribute $400 to support environmental education projects via Green Decade and a $100 in Whole Foods gift card raffle prize for every 100 Newton home energy assessments completed until December 31, 2013. For every 50 Newton heating and cooling assessments completed during the Challenge, Next Step Living will contribute an additional $400 to Green Decade and $100 in Whole Foods gift cards. A six foot tall Energy Smart Newton thermometer showing the progress toward the campaigns energy assessments goal is being placed in Newton City Hall and Challenge posters will be shown in businesses around town. Official Challenge terms and conditions will be posted at www.newtonecoproject.com. Sign-up for the Energy Smart Newton Challenge by visiting the Eco-project website at www.newtonecoproject.com. Click on the Get a free energy assessment link on the left. by Marcia Cooper

Introducing the Energy Smart Newton Challenge

Better Lawn, Better Lake!

May 9 (Thurs) 7pm at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St. Newton: Join Mary Owen, Extension Turf Team Leader and Specialist for the University of Massachusetts, for a program that will help you understand how you can have a good-looking functional lawn, while protecting and enhancing the local environment, especially Crystal Lake. Topics will include how to prevent landscaping nutrients from moving into water, soil testing, what to look for when purchasing grass seed and how to transition your lawn to lower input grasses. Cosponsored by the Crystal Lake Conservancy, Green Decade/Newton & the Newton Conservators. Household Hazardous Waste Drop-offs for Newton residents resume Wed., May 15th, 7:30am-12:30pm. Dropoffs will be every Wednesday until June 26th and then from Sept. 4 - Oct. 16 at the Resource Recovery Center at Rumford Ave. There will also be drop-offs on 4 Saturdays: May 11, June 22, Sept. 21, and Oct.19. The facility will be closed in July and August, except for July 17th and Aug. 14th. For a listing of accepted materials, managing hazardous waste, alternative products and how to transport materials safely visit: http://www. newtonma.gov/gov/dpw/recycling/hazardous/days.asp Electronics Recycling will be available third Friday and Saturday of each month at the Recycling Depot at Rumford Ave from 8am-12pm. Residents can bring old electronics (anything with a plug!) for recycling free of charge. Computer Monitors and TVs are accepted for $12 each. Businesses and Non-profits also welcome. You can also schedule a curbside pickup for a fee. See http:// recyclingelectronics.com/index.php/Newton_Ma_ Residential_Pickup.

Recycling Listings

Compost Workshop

International Compost Awareness Week is May 6-11. May 8 (Wed.) 7pm in the War Memorial Auditorium at Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave. Thinking about home composting, but arent sure how to start? Currently composting, but want to learn more? Learn how easy it is to compost yard waste and food scraps into a rich humus, a great resource for your garden, lawn, and houseplants! Participants will be entered to win a free composting bin! Events are free, but registration is required. For more info & sign up: http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/dpw/recycling/ initiatives/events/default.asp Want to attend a tour of the Compost Facility at the Resource Recovery Center at Rumford Ave on Wed., May 8th or Sat., May 11th? Sign up here: https://docs. google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDlscmIy YURJRUhPN2MtTnpHcWprZWc6MQ#gid=0

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Organic Lawns and Gardens

In March, Green Decade worked with David Gordon, Ellen Meyers, Newton Free owner of Newton Organic Library, consults with David Gordon and Marcia Cooper Lawn, to install three displays about organic lawns and gardens at the Newton Free Library. They were made all the more colorful with decorative veggies loaned to us by Green Decade member Loren Sklar and attractive garden items from Plates Caf on Wells Avenue. Special thanks to Needham Garden Supply for generously donating seed packets, a soaker hose, grow light, organic fertilizer and a seed tray. One display case, designed by Michele Davis, focused on composting. It was an attention getter, with a colorful assortment of gummy worms to show the helpful critters that turn organic waste into compost for your garden.

LED Streetlights coming to Newton

Choosing Organic Fertilizers

Among the topics Gordon covers is organic fertilizers. If your soil test shows that your lawn needs fertilizer, he recommends fertilizing your lawn in the Spring, from mid-April to mid-May, and another fertilization in September. Organic fertilizer feeds the lawn slower and for a longer time. He recommends using only organic fertilizer with the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) label (see www.omri.org). Avoid fertilizer made from Biosolids -- also called sewage sludge by the US EPA. It can have high amounts of heavy metals and other contaminants. See Biosolids or Biohazards? in Pesticides and You, Fall 2012 online at www.beyondpesticides.org/infoservices/ pesticidesandyou. Also, avoid excess phosphorus. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient but it can run off into sewers, ponds, streams and rivers causing eutrophication (overenrichment). Eutrophication depletes oxygen, causes harmful algal blooms and destroys aquatic life. It leads to massive growth of weeds and invasive plants such as the water chestnut, fanwort, milfoil and the non-native American Lotus. The rapid spread of these plants has made many Newton coves inaccessible and restricted boating and wildlife movement. Also avoid synthetic chemical weed and grub control products that destroy the natural fertility of your soil. Having healthy soil is the key to great lawns and gardens. For more advice on healthy lawn and gardens visit www. greendecade.org/greenCap_primer.html. Also look for the booklet, Introduction to Organic Lawns and Yards, Plus a Checklist for an Eco-Friendly Property by Sarah Little, Ph.D. at Green Decade resource tables. Lastly, we recommend buying your tomato, pepper, cucumber plants at the Newton Community Farm Plant Sale on May 11th or 12th (noon - 3pm). by Ellie Goldberg and Marcia Cooper

Streetlights using LED technology have been improving in both cost and reliability and are now a practical money-saving investment that the City is likely to make. The first step will be a pilot program this spring. About 60 sleek new LED lights will replace the orange high pressure sodium (HPS) lights in the block around City Hall, on Walnut Street in Newtonville, and at the Langley Road and Beacon Street intersection in Newton Center. LED lights provide better illumination than HPS lights with excellent color rendering, more even light distribution, and less glare, and they can use about half the energy as the current lights for the same level of brightness. In 2011 the Green Decade Board adopted a priority effort to reduce the carbon emissions due to the Citys 8,400 streetlights. The initiative was developed by Board member Steve Barry shortly before his untimely death. Since then GDN has continued to work with the City, and this effort is about to have visible results. Newton officials are applying for a Green Communities grant to help offset the cost of retrofitting all of the current streetlights. When the entire inventory of streetlights has been replaced, energy costs will be halved and carbon emissions will be reduced by the equivalent of about 720 tons of CO2 per year. The timing is right for this change: the HPS lights, installed in 2007, have already more than paid for themselves in energy savings, and the original HPS bulbs are reaching the end of their life cycle. Retrofitting the streetlights is a good investment. A calculation prepared by Maciej Konieczny, the Citys Sustainability Project Manager, estimates a payback period of less than five years and a net present discounted benefit of approximately $4 million from converting all HPS lights to LED. This includes energy savings and reduced maintenance costs of the longerlived LEDs. Actual savings will depend on bid prices and specific features of the new lights. An additional feature being considered in the pilot program is a wireless control system that allows streetlights to be remotely programmed to be brighter during hours when pedestrians are present and dim during early morning hours when the full amount of light isnt needed. If the City chooses to employ that system it could save yet more energy, and extend the life of the LED fixtures. It would also allow the City to monitor and promptly correct any defective lights. The City will be looking for your comments about the LED fixtures installed in the pilot program, so be sure to check them out. by Jim Purdy, GD/N Energy Chair

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MAY/JUNE 2013

Newtons Clean Air Resolution

Green Decade commends Aldermen Albright, Baker, Blazar, Crossley, Danberg, Fischman, Hess-Mahan, Johnson, Lappin, Laredo, Linsky, Salvucci, Sangiolo, Schwarz, Yates and Lennon, for supporting Newtons Clean Air Resolution. We are especially grateful to Aldermen Deb Crossley and Ted Hess-Mahan for their leadership role to secure its passage. The majority of the aldermen decided to pass the resolution (below), making Newton the 50th U.S. City to affirm its support of our nations clean air laws. The City of Newton in the Board of Aldermen March 18, 2013 BE IT RESOLVED: WHEREAS, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere, including concentrations of carbon dioxide, will continue to increase unless the billions of tons of our annual emissions decrease substantially; and WHEREAS, increased GHG concentrations are expected to increase Earths average temperature, influence the patterns and amounts of precipitation, as well as influence increasingly frequent extreme weather events, reduce ice and snow cover, as well as permafrost, raise sea level, and increase the acidity of the oceans; and WHEREAS, the EPA has determined that current and future GHG concentrations endanger public health; and WHEREAS, for four decades, the Clean Air Act has protected the air we breathe through a proven, comprehensive, successful system of pollution control that saves lives and creates the economic benefits exceeding its costs by many times; and WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Massachusetts vs. EPA (2007) that GHG are air pollutants as defined by the Clean Air Act and the EPA has the authority to regulate them; and WHEREAS, The City of Newton has taken a number of local initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of its activities, but cannot directly regulate GHG emissions, which requires action at a large scale of government. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that climate change is not an abstract problem for the future or one that will only affect far-distant places but rather climate change is happening now, we are causing it, and the longer we wait to act, the more difficult the problem will be to solve; and we, the Newton Board of Aldermen, on behalf of the residents of Newton, do hereby urge the Administrator of the EPA and President Barack Obama to move swiftly to fully employ and enforce the Clean Air Act to do our part to reduce carbon in our atmosphere as swiftly and assertively as possible to meet the objectives President Obama stated at the 2009 world summit in Geneva. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator of the EPA, Newtons Congressional Delegation, and President Barack Obama.
Printed with soy-based ink on 100% post-consumer waste unbleached recycled paper that is made without a chemical separation process.

Toxic Assault on Our Children

from Bill Moyers
We recommend clicking on the link below to watch an inspiring interview by Bill Moyers of Sandra Steingraber, internationally known biologist and activist, as she talks to Bill about how we must take action to stop toxic trespassers. Also featured is a presentation of the short documentary Dance of the Honey Bee. Narrated by Bill McKibben, the film takes a look at the beautiful and vital role honey bees play in preserving life, as well as the threats bees face from a rapidly changing landscape. Published at Nation of Change at: http://www. nationofchange.org/toxic-assault-our-children1366472171 All rights are reserved.

Special invitation

The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) has invited members of the Green Decade Newton to a special event at a private home in Auburndale on Thursday, June 13 at 7pm to honor the Citys leadership and our work as a member of the Mass Environmental Collaborative. ELMs President, George Bachrach, will review the Commonwealths agenda to combat climate change. For more info, e-mail info@greendecade.org

Honoring Green Decade

Please join or renew for 2013!

Green Decade is proud of its 23 year history and our organizations efforts to help residences, businesses and public facilities become more sustainable. You may also send a $25 payment for a basic membership to Green Decade/Newton, P.O. Box 590242, Newton, MA 02459
Jessica Avery, at large Ann Berwick, at large Eric Bobby, at large Al Calderone, at large Jack Cheng, at large Marcia Cooper, President Sharon Cushing, Treasurer Michele Davis, Energy Lucia Dolan, Clerk, Transportation Paul Eldrenkamp, at large Paul Holt, at large Ira Krepchin, Newsletter Lois Levin, Transp; EnvEditorTAB Ken Mallory, at large Eric Olson, at large Jim Purdy, Vice Pres, Energy Myron Rosenberg, Development Dan Ruben, Chairperson Mindy Sieber, at large Peter Smith, Newsletter; Chamber Elaine Vildzius, at large

online @: www.greendecade.org

Board of Directors

Karen Albert Ana Zarina Asuaje Solon, Louise Bruyn, Past Pres. Sheila Clawson David & Elva Del Porto Bev Droz, Past President Dianne Dumanoski Kevin Dutt, Public Affairs Katherine Gekas Bonnie Glickman,EcoTeams Ellie Goldberg Fred Gordon, MCAN Bd. Barbara Herson, Past Pres. Sunwoo Kahng Francoise LaMonica,NewTV Brooke Lipsitt Jean MacRae Matt Pawa Annabelle Ship Rohna Shoul Heather Tausig Maeve Ward

Advisory Board

617 965-1995

e-mail: info@greendecade.org

www.greendecade.org