A Press Release received from the Board of Selectmen:

On February 9, 2009, the Board of Selectmen voted to establish the Energy Initiatives Advisory Committee (EIAC).  The committee consists of five members, each appointed by our board.  Qualifications for membership include expertise or interest in energy systems, alternative energy technologies, “green building” design and construction, heating, ventilation and cooling equipment and technologies, energy conservation programs and equipment, and experience in energy or energy-related programs or grants.  

The purpose of the committee is to advise the Board of Selectmen, other town boards and committees, the Town Administrator and the Public Buildings Director on all issues related to energy conservation, both from a cost-savings and reducing-our-carbon-footprint perspective. 

Since inception, the EIAC has proven to be a hard working group of professionals who have looked for opportunities and taken advantage of improvements for the town.  For example, the EIAC’s first goal was to have Wayland designated by the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Resources as a “Green Community”.  This is a lengthy process involving much paperwork and a number of town by-law changes.  In 2010, the EIAC received notice that our town had been selected as one of only 74 cities and towns throughout the state to be so designated.  This has allowed us to receive energy efficiency grant funds.  So far Wayland has been awarded over $130,000 for initiatives in the schools and municipal buildings.  The initial projects to be funded, an upgrade to the lighting at the Middle School and at Loker School, are underway. 

As part of the Green Community process, the EIAC spearheaded efforts to pass the “stretch energy code”.  This additional section of the building code increases the energy efficiency requirements for all new residential and many new commercial buildings, as well as for those residential additions and renovations that would normally trigger building code requirements.  Many contractors in town already adhered to the code and recommended our adoption as an important step going forward.  The code was approved at last year’s Annual Town Meeting.  It will help ensure that Wayland stays at the forefront of energy efficiency.  The Building Department staff is working to educate the public on the implications, requirements and benefits of the stretch code. 

Next, the EIAC completed an energy use baseline, which outlines plans to achieve a 20% energy reduction in town buildings within 5 years.  If the plan is successful, it would reduce the town’s energy costs by up to $300,000. 

In another project, Wayland has secured an agreement with NSTAR to replace its inefficient streetlights with more efficient light bulbs, saving the town an estimated $39,000 per year.  More than 100 of the estimated 700 lights requiring upgrades have been replaced to date. 

In 2011 the EIAC engaged both NSTAR and National Grid in talks for Wayland to become the pilot town for a program called “Energy Forward”.  This initiative started at MIT where it resulted in significant energy savings.  It entails our town and the utilities working collaboratively to fund high quality energy audits to identify building infrastructure projects throughout town and school buildings and to utilize utility funds as seed money for initial projects.  The Town would then reinvest energy savings in the capital improvement plan to fully realize the anticipated savings.  At the current time, these discussions are ongoing, so stay tuned. 

Finally, the EIAC is exploring sites where solar power could be generated.  This effort would involve partnering with a private developer to construct one or more facilities to produce energy to be used by the town at a discounted kilowatt rate or be sold back to the electric grid.  The former town landfill and the new high school are among potential sites being evaluated. 

Our board is very proud of the progress being made.  We heartily support the strides being made and our leadership in Massachusetts.  There is no doubt there will be new energy-related articles presented at future town meetings.  We encourage you to stay abreast of developments either in local media or at the Town’s web site www.wayland.ma.us.  

Wayland Board of Selectmen

Thomas Fay, Chair
Susan Pope, Vice-Chair
John Bladon
Steven Correia
Joseph Nolan