Marblehead Takes On Challenge Of Climate Vision Plan

MARBLEHEAD, MA — The Green Marblehead Committee is looking for community input into its plans to steer the town toward becoming carbon-neutral by 2040 during an upcoming virtual workshop.

The workshop will run on Oct. 5 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Zoom where committee members are hoping the public will share thoughts on how to reach the net-zero goal as part of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council grant-funded project. Residents can register for the forum here in advance.

The Green Marblehead Committee is working with the planning council and members of the community to develop an inventory of the town's greenhouse gas emissions to establish a baseline and create a roadmap to net-zero.

Marblehead's plan will be guided by Sustainable Marblehead's 2019 Climate Vision Action Plan Framework.

"With a collaborative and inclusive approach, the town of Marblehead has focused its efforts to develop actionable goals and priorities to address the impacts of climate change on the community," Town Administrator Jason Silva said. "Our collective work to create and adopt the Marblehead Climate Vision was an important first step and this net-zero planning grant will now allow us to build a net-zero roadmap, engage the community in this important discussion, and learn from other communities that host municipal light plants.

"Throughout our work on climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions MAPC and Marblehead stakeholders have played a critical role and for that we are appreciative."

Green Marblehead is comprised of municipal staff, members of Sustainable Marblehead and staff from the Marblehead Municipal Light Department.

"Our electric power strategy is to continue our decade-long shift from fossil fuel to carbon-free electric power generation, in a way that will meet or exceed the new state climate statute now in place for municipal power communities," MMLD General Manager Joe Kowalik said. "But the success of the state's 2050 plan for decarbonization also relies on strategic electrification of transportation and building heating and cooling. Marblehead’s success in strategic electrification needs a much broader effort, requiring the support and engagement of multiple town departments and residents and businesses throughout the town.

"The Green Marblehead Committee membership reflects that broader scope and diversity. It will be an essential organization as we move forward to reduce greenhouse gases in Marblehead."

Kowalik has endorsed the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company's proposal to construct a fossil-fueled, 55-megawatt surge-capacity generator at the Waters River substation in Peabody as a way to provide reliable and affordable energy in peak-energy conditions until the state can reach its carbon-neutral goal set for 2050.

Marblehead is joining Belmont, Ipswich and Peabody on the MAPC project.

"MAPC is excited to support Marblehead’s efforts to develop a roadmap to net zero, joining the growing number of communities across the region that are accelerating efforts to fight climate change at the local level,” said MAPC Director of Clean Energy Director Cammy Peterson. "This project will provide clear, actionable strategies that build on the Marblehead Climate Vision and we look forward to continuing our work with the town, MMLD, Sustainable Marblehead and the Marblehead community."

Go here for more on Green Marblehead and this initiative.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)