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The Green Energy Committee

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The Town of Lincoln has a long commitment to sustainable living and clean energy. In 2006, the Board of Selectmen appointed members to the Green Energy Technology Committee (GETC), which was devoted to making municipal buildings and operations more energy efficient. In 2010, Lincoln became one of the first 17 towns to become a Massachusetts Green Community. 

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Over the next few years, recognizing the urgency of climate change and the fact that residential homes account for most of the energy use in Town, the Committee broadened its focus to include residential initiatives. In 2016, it became the Lincoln Green Energy Committee (GEC). 

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The Lincoln Green Energy Committee (GEC) leads initiatives in four areas: 

  • Elimination of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation

  • Adoption of renewable energy through town-wide electricity purchase

  • Programs for residential and renewable energy and energy efficiency

  • Investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in municipal buildings and operations

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Green Energy Committee Members

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Paul Shorb, Chair

Roy Harvey

Ed Kern

Sue Klem

Ed Lang

C.J. Volpone

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CFREE, Carbon Free Residential, Everything Electric, is a working group of Lincoln’s GEC, helping residents affordably achieve energy-efficient, electrified, comfortable and healthy fossil fuel-free lives.

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​Join us!
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​Lincoln's Green Energy Committee welcomes new members with energy, enthusiasm, and diverse areas of expertise. We meet the second Thursday of each month, 8–9:30 a.m. via Zoom. Contact Dan Pereira for additional details.

 

Mailing address:

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Green Energy Committee

Town of Lincoln

16 Lincoln Road

Lincoln, MA 01773

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GEC reports and documents​

 

2024 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

2023 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

2022 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

2021 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

2020 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

2019 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

2018 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

2017 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

2016 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

2015 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

2014 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

​​2013 Lincoln Green Energy Committee town report

 

2016 Lincoln municipal energy use analysis

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H​ighlights of the Green Energy Committee
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2024​

  • Hosted Getting to Zero Zoom lecture series focused on helping people reduce their carbon footprint of their home and lifestyle.

  • Partnered with MetroWest Climate Solutions and provided notifications to Lincoln residents  for  programing. 

  • Kicked off the Green Coaches program by co-sponsoring a FOMA (Friends of Modern Architecture) tour of retrofitted midcentrury homes complimented with a Green Coaches workshop for residents taking next steps with their modern homes.

  • Provided a Green Coaches workshop for one of the December 5 State of the Town breakout sessions.

  • Generated interest and facilitated the signing of paperwork for Lincoln, Sudbury and Lincoln-Sudbury school districts to move forward with grant approval for the addition of Electric buses to district fleets.  and grants for infrastructure.

2023

  • Completed Climate Action Plan

  • Contract signed for 1.4 MW Landfill Solar Project.

  • Negotiated new rates for Lincoln Green Energy Choice Program.

  • Voted to participate in Ten Town Fossil Fuel Free Pilot Program at March 2023 Town Meeting.

  • Hosted Getting to Zero Zoom lecture series.

2022

  • Massachusetts signed an act in 2021 to create a roadmap for climate policy. Lincoln was awarded $100,000 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant to develop a Climate Action Plan. 

  • Town secured approvals from the National Park Service and was able to solicit bids in November for installation of the Landfill Solar Project.

  • Negotiated new rates for Lincoln Green Energy Choice Program.

2021

  • Began work to update 2019 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report.

  • Volunteers began to develop a Climate Action Plan for Lincoln after reviewing plans from 14 nearby towns.

  • Lincoln Green Energy Choice Program took effect in early 2021enabling residents to buy cleaner electricity in an agrigation program purchasing local Renewable Energy Credits.

  • Volunteers ran an opt up to the Lincoln 100% Green option. 

  • Volunteers put on a  Zoom lecture series addressing home improvements that are less carbon intensive than traditional building practices.

  • GEC members continued to support implementation of net zero emissions plans for the school building project.

2019

  • Encouraged purchase of electric vehicles through demonstrations, information

  • Commissioned a report of Lincoln’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  • Worked with BoS to adopt electricity aggregation: Lincoln Green Energy Choice

  • Helped 55 residents conduct home energy assessments and take advantage of rebates and incentives to improve energy efficiency

  • Continued to support HeatSmart for residents seeking to improve heating efficiency

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2018 

  • Received $8,700 from National Grid for signing up 300 home energy assessments

  • Participated in the HeatSmart Mass program to lower the costs of renewable and alternative heating and cooling technologies 

  • Worked with Lincoln's Historic District Commission to facilitate rooftop solar 

  • ​Worked with condominiums on energy efficiency, solar, heating, and plumbing fixtures 

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2017 

  • Participated in Solarize Mass to lower the costs of residential solar installations

  • ​ Worked with School Building Committee to ensure a Net Zero school renovation

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2016

  • Awarded LEED Silver for Town Offices renovation project

  • ​Lincoln Energy Challenge signed up 300 households for free home energy assessments and upgrades 

  • Held workshops on energy efficiency, solar, renewably sourced electricity, and financing

  • Partnered with Solar Design Associates and BlueWave Capital to analyze 25 municipal sites with solar-PV potential​

  • Worked with Planning Board to update Solar Bylaw enabling adoption of solar panels

  • ​Promoted the purchase of electricity with higher mixes of renewable energy, particularly the Make the Switch Program, and electric vehicles

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2015

  • Guided the town purchase and installation of energy-efficient LED outdoor lighting

  • Changed name to Green Energy Committee to include broader residential initiatives

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2012 

  • Facilitated new zoning bylaws to encourage solar PV installation investments.

  • Participated in Solarize Mass, resulting in the installation of 32 solar PV systems in Lincoln

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2011

  • Ensured adoption of energy efficiency in Town Offices renovation resulting in LEED Silver designation in 2016.

  • Facilitated adoption of The Town Facilities Energy Performance Standard, a measure for new construction and major renovation energy performance criteria with a net-zero fossil fuel target by 2030.

  • ​Initiated a residential initiative, Greening Lincoln, which engaged more than 200 residents who pledged to reduce their energy consumption.

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2010

  • Helped Lincoln become a designated Massachusetts Green Community.  Criteria included a 20% energy-use reduction target for all municipal buildings against a 2008 baseline. The program has since supported more than $750,000 worth of energy-efficiency investments in Lincoln’s facilities and vehicular fleet.

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2009

  • Ensured that Lincoln’s Long Range Master Plan includes many references to energy efficiency, alternative energy, and conserving resources. 

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2006

  • The Board of Selectmen appointed the Lincoln Green Energy Technology Committee to identify technologies to reduce municipal energy use.

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