In a bid to foster a more sustainable future, Medford, Massachusetts, has implemented a series of green initiatives, emphasizing renewable energy, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient heating systems.
"Go Green Medford" is a citywide program aimed at promoting awareness of energy and environmental matters. The scheme is primarily organized by the Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability, with some contributions from municipal committees and commissions.
Highlighting the city's commitment to renewable energy, Medford passed a solar ordinance in October 2019. The legislation stipulates that new constructions and substantial rehabilitation projects exceeding 10,000 square feet, or those with ten or more residential units, must incorporate a solar energy system. The system's size must equate to at least 50% of the roof area for all buildings, or 90% of the top level for uncovered parking structures, although certain exemptions apply where installation of a solar system may not be practical or efficient.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are also in the city's sustainability spotlight, with Medford owning two EV charging stations: one in the City Hall Parking lot and another in the Medford High School parking lot. The Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program provides further incentives for EV adoption, offering rebates of up to $2,500 for the purchase or lease of new electric vehicles, and up to $1,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. As per the latest available data, Massachusetts boasts over 30,470 registered electric vehicles, a figure likely to have increased given the current trend toward EV adoption.
On the heating front, despite natural gas being the prevalent heating source in Massachusetts, clean heating technologies are making headway in the Commonwealth. Air source heat pumps, in particular, have seen increased popularity, and as of 2021, 17.8% of households were heated by electricity, a category including homes using heat pumps. Additionally, the installation of air-source heat pumps is incentivized through the Commonwealth's Mass Save® energy efficiency programs.
While specific data on the number of heat pumps installed in Medford or Massachusetts was not available, it is clear that Medford is demonstrating considerable progress towards becoming a greener city, embracing solar power, promoting electric vehicles, and adopting cleaner heating technologies.
