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Municipal Programs & Initiatives
Whether they involve members of the community, municipal facilities or vehicles, solid waste and recyclables, or the natural environment, sustainability serves an important interdepartmental role in initiatives and projects undertaken by the City of Framingham.
Visit the links on the sidebar to learn more about the recent and ongoing efforts of the City of Framingham to enhance the sustainability of municipal operations and the greater community.
- Green Communities
- Energy Efficiency
- Renewable Energy
- Climate Resiliency
- Brownfields Redevelopment
- Plastic Bag Reduction Bylaw
- Curbside Recycling
Green Communities Program
In 2013, the City of Framingham was designated by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) as one of the Commonwealth’s Green Communities. This designation recognizes the City’s commitment to becoming more sustainable and its fulfillment of five important program criteria:
- Adopt As-of-right Siting for Renewable Energy
- Implement Expedited Permitting of Renewable Energy Generating Facilities
- Create an Energy Reduction Plan to Reduce Municipal Energy Consumption
- Purchase Only Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
- Adopt the Stretch Energy Code
Please visit the Department of Capital Projects and Facilities Management for more information about the work completed through the Green Communities Program.
Energy Efficiency
As a proud member of the Green Communities Program, the City of Framingham is committed to achieving continuous improvements to the energy efficiency of its municipal facilities and vehicles.
From upgrading remaining inefficient lighting and installing variable frequency drives to control HVAC equipment, the City is currently exploring the implementation of energy conservation measures (ECMs) at facilities operated by multiple municipal departments.
Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC)
In 2015, the City (then Town) of Framingham signed an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with Ameresco to supplement existing efforts to enhance municipal energy efficiency. With over $6 million invested in completed energy conservation measures, project implementation has been completed. The City is currently in the first year of the measurement and verification phase of the contract.
As part of a large collection of ECMs implemented through the ESPC, municipal facilities were upgraded with LED retrofits, HVAC system renovations, transformer replacements, and much more.
Renewable Energy
In support of local clean energy development, the City of Framingham currently has a power purchase agreement (PPA) involving the 1.7 MW rooftop-mounted solar energy system at Shoppers World. This solar energy system is one of solar energy projects in Framingham, with approximately 22.3 MW of solar capacity installed across residences, businesses, and land throughout the community.
Climate Resiliency
Led by the Community and Economic Development Division and Stormwater Management team of the Department of Public Works, the City held a Community Resiliency Building Workshop on March 19, 2019 as part of its involvement in the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program.
The Community Resiliency Building Workshop connected municipal officials with members of the community to identify and plan for risks and challenges posed by climate change.
Brownfields Redevelopment
Administered by the Office of Community and Economic Development, the Brownfields Redevelopment Program assists property owners in investigating the environmental conditions of qualifying sites throughout Framingham.
Plastic Bag Reduction Bylaw
The City of Framingham’s Plastic Bag Reduction Bylaw became effective on January 1, 2018 and prohibits thin-film single-use plastic bags from being distributed at checkout at all retail and grocery stores.
CURBSIDE RECYCLING
To help encourage recycling rates throughout the community, the Sanitation Division of the Department of Public Works manages an expansive single-stream curbside recycling program. In 2017, the City of Framingham served 18,235 households through its municipal recycling program and collected 5,346 tons of single-stream recyclables.
In addition to the collection of plastics, cans, and other traditional recyclables, the Sanitation Division continues to offer innovative waste diversion programs such as mattress recycling and textile recycling programs.