Climate Change Mitigation

Mitigation addresses the need to reduce greenhouse gasses in order to slow down or even reverse climate change.  Both the town government and individuals play roles in mitigating (that is reducing) the effects of climate change.

The town is currently planning the installation of almost 2500 solar panels on the capped landfill. Previously, Wellfleet became a Green Community to help to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses contributed by the town government’s activities. The town has also replaced its street lights with LED lights.

The committee’s charge includes education and outreach to residents, homeowners, and business owners.  Along with Eastham, Truro, and Provincetown, we have conducted the Outer Cape Energize program.

The SelectBoard has approved Wellfleet’s participation in the Global Covenant of Mayors.  This program is aimed at reducing the total amount of greenhouse gasses generated by the residents, homeowners, and businesses in town.

More details are provided in the sections below.

Permanent link to this article: https://wellfleetenergyandclimateaction.org/mitigation-activities/

Recharge Cape Cod EV Test Drive Event June 3, 2023

Hyannis Transportation Center Parking Lot The Wellfleet Energy and Climate Action Committee along with Recharge Massachusetts, Cape Cod Commission, Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority and Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative held an Electric Vehicle Expo. People took an EV out for a spin, got hands-on experience with charging, and get a feel for how EVs …

Electrify School Bus Fleets

The EPA is offering a rebate to electrify school bus fleets. The Cape Cod Collaborative (CCC) services much of the Cape Cod school bus system. It would be helpful if other energy committees could further encourage CCC to take advantage of this opportunity. The following is a sample email provided by Wellfleet that can be …

Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions in New Municipal Construction

Massachusetts is moving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008 mandates reductions of 25% from 1990 levels by 2020. It appears we have made this goal through greener electricity, higher automobile fuel efficiency, and energy conservation. On April 22, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration issued a formal determination letter establishing net-zero …

Solar Array on the Capped Landfill

Solar Array on the Capped Landfill Click here to view our energy production Construction Completed Wellfleet has built a solar photovoltaic (PV) array on the capped landfill.  After issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) and receiving three proposals, the town has decided to enter into negotiations with Ameresco for an energy services contract to design, …

Global Covenant of Mayors

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy is an international alliance of cities and local governments with a shared long-term vision of promoting and supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and move to a low emission, resilient society. In 2018 the Wellfleet Selectboard voted to adopt the covenant. The committee has been …

2018 Outer Cape Energize

The Outer Cape Energize program has three goals: To encourage solar photovoltaic (PV) installations for residents and small businesses on the Outer Cape;       To encourage the adoption of technologies that use green-generated electricity in place of carbon-based fuels.  These include: air source heat pumps (mini-splits), air source hot water heaters, and electric …

2014 Solarize Wellfleet

The Wellfleet Energy Committee has won a grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to participate in the Solarize Massachusetts program. The Solarize Wellfleet program aims to increase the adoption of small-scale solar electricity systems through a grassroots educational campaign, driven mainly by Wellfleet volunteers, and a tiered pricing structure that increases the savings for everyone …

Street Light Conversion

In 2014 the Cape Light Compact installed 233 LED street lights in Wellfleet, for an annual savings of about 74,000 kiloWatt hours representing almost $17,000 in electricity and maintenance costs. Capewide, the Compact worked with member towns to convert more than 15,000 municipally owned street lights to light emitting diode (LED) fixtures. The LED streetlight …

Green Communities Act

Wellfleet has joined 123 cities and towns from all regions of the state, ranging in population from 393 to 617,594 residents, that are now designated as Commonwealth “Green Communities.”   As energy leaders in Massachusetts, Green Communities are eligible for state grants. More than $28 million from those Green Community grants is already at work in 110 communities, with …