The warrant for the Acton Water District (AWD) 2023 annual meeting includes an article asking the district to commission an external expert study of water rates. Green Acton Directors voted to support this article because it has the potential to support Green Acton’s mission by conserving water resources and advancing environmental justice.
Perspectives: Options for Funding Acton’s Response to PFAS
By Kim Kastens, Chair, Green Acton Water Committee The discovery of PFAS in Acton’s groundwater confronts the town with the prospect of many millions of dollars of new capital costs to add PFAS treatment capacity to the Acton Water District’s (AWD’s) local water treatment plants and/or to connect to the Massachusetts Regional Water Authority (MWRA)… Continue reading →
The Challenging Interrelationships among Water Rates, Conservation, and Environmental Justice
Contributed by Kim Kastens, Chair, Green Acton Water Committee The cost of delivering clean tap water is rising around the world, including in Acton. Public water suppliers across Massachusetts are seeking ways to balance competing demands to cover the costs of infrastructure and operations, to encourage water conservation, and to provide the essential good of… Continue reading →
Sustainable Holiday Gift Wrapping
Contributed by Carolyn Davis, Green Acton Materials/Plastics Subcommittee Do you want to save money and help the planet this holiday season by reducing trash? Green Pro Tip: make your own wrapping paper! Americans spend about $8 billion a year on wrapping paper. Not only is that a lot of money for something that gets ripped… Continue reading →
Less Lawn, More Garden: Making Your Yard a Home for Birds and Pollinators
Contributed by Martha Rounds How Do Lawns Affect the Natural Environment? The traditional American lawn is a monoculture that requires consistent mowing, fertilizing, watering, and pesticides. Lawns in the U.S. are estimated by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to cover three times more area than any food crop (e.g., corn or soybeans). More than… Continue reading →
Greener Ways to Avoid Acton’s Mosquitoes
by Chris Edwards, Chair, Green Acton Toxics/Pesticides Subcommittee While you’re enjoying the outdoors in Acton, it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones from being bitten by mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other insects, since these critters can carry harmful viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Unfortunately, some of the most effective repellents have environmental and toxic… Continue reading →
Free Training to Become an Acton Energy Advocate!
EnergizeActon.org, part of the Acton Climate Coalition, is working with the Town of Acton and Abode Energy Management on a new “Energy Advocate” program, which will train volunteers to help people with electrification of their homes/buildings, as well as with other energy efficiency and renewable energy measures (e.g., heat pump technology, solar power, electric vehicle… Continue reading →
Green Acton Position Statements on Town Meeting 2021 Warrant Articles 13, 14, 15, and 16
At its June 8 monthly meeting, Green Acton approved the following position statements on several Warrant Articles for the June 21 annual Town Meeting. Article 13 and Article 14 (Amend General Bylaws – Regulation of Fossil Fuels Infrastructure, and Home Rule Petition – Building with Clean Energy to Regulate Fossil Fuel Infrastructure, respectively)Green Acton supports… Continue reading →
Rivershed Health Event
The Green Acton Water Committee hosted the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord River Report Card event, a lively and well-attended gathering at the Acton Senior Center. Alison Field-Juma, the Executive Director of OARS, presented the first-ever “report card” on the health of the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord river system.
Green Acton Praises Environmental Choices for Acton’s Proposed Twin School and North Acton Fire Station
The Special Town Meeting of December 10 will ask voters about building a new Twin School in West Acton, and a new Fire Station in North Acton.