Energize Acton

Sustainability Movie Night
2024-06-12 20:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | NARA Park Amphitheater, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Wednesday, June 12th, at 8 PM, will celebrate warm summer nights at the NARA Park Amphitheatre with a nature film and free popcorn under the stars!
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and come early to enjoy the sunset before showtime at 8:30 PM. No tickets required. We hope to see you there!

Sponsored by the Acton Sustainability Office with a grant from HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team).

June Clean Energy Home(s) of the Month
2024-06-15 11:00 - 14:30 | Address shared upon registration, Strawberry Hill Rd, Acton, MA
Tour the Clean Energy Home(s) of the Month
June Focus: Two Fossil Fuel Free Homes
Register HERE.

Can you picture your home completely disconnected from fossil fuels? Well, come to the June Clean Energy Home Tour and see two households who have done just that! These are NOT swanky LEED certified designer houses. Rather, these are normal homes where the owners have taken steps over time to transition to clean energy. And both households officially capped their natural gas lines this year! The two homes are connected to the electrical grid; however, both households signed up for Acton Power Choice GREEN and both households have solar panels, so their use of the grid relies on renewable sources. The owners look forward to speaking with you about their journeys! Please register HERE.

This event has a special treat. In between these two neighbors are a set of recently installed solar carports. At noon, in between the two sessions, Jim Snyder-Grant, Acton Select Board member and an Acton Clean Energy Coach, will give guests an orientation to these new structures and their contribution to the grid. A light lunch will be served.

House #1 Details
Duplex with 1200 sq feet of area

Solar panels
Air source heat pump mini-splits (Fujitsu—one single head and one multi-head)
Air source heat pump hot water heater (AO Smith 50 gallon)
Air source heat pump clothes dryer (Miele T1)
EV and EV charging
Induction stovetop (Kenmore)
Whole-house electricity monitoring (Emporia)
Electric Lawn Mower

House #2 Details
2400 sq feet built in 1996

Geothermal Heating and Cooling System (2024)
Solar Panels : 10 kW PV array on roof
Solar Battery Storage : 18 kWh Generac battery
Solar hot water panels on roof
Greenhouse heat transfer system
Clivus toilet composting system
4-stage reverse osmosis water filter
Induction Cooktop
EV and shared EV charger
Rechargeable electric mower

The owners write, “Don’t try to do everything at once, but make a plan and follow it (Zero Carbon Over Time). Don’t agonize and try for perfection. Very good and sooner is better than perfect and later.”
Our monthly tours are part of a broader campaign called “PlugIN,” running from February through July 2024 and coordinated with groups across Acton and the region to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The new movement for electrification—based on renewable energy sources and high-efficiency home heating, cooling, and appliance use—is part of Acton’s commitment to reach net zero emissions as soon as possible. To find out about efforts in other PlugIN towns—Wayland, Framingham, and Natick–click HERE.

Upcoming PlugIN talks and events include the following.
May 2: PlugIN “Our Actions Shape the World—Create a Multi-Year Plan to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint”
June 8: Climate Resilience Festival sponsored by the Acton Sustainability Office
June 15: PlugIN “Clean Energy Home of the Month Tour: Fossil Fuel Free Homes”
June Talk: PlugIN Talk – Homeowner Panel on Heat Pumps: Benefits and Tips
July: PlugIN Clean Energy Home of the Month: Energy Monitoring and Solar
July: PlugIN Picnic: Celebrating Collective Action!

EnergizeActon.org is a joint project of the Town of Acton Sustainability Office and the Acton Climate Coalition.
Interested in joining us? We welcome your involvement in any way, large or small. The team meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at noon. Or just write us to share your ideas. The email address is EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com.

Electric Vehicle Petting Zoo 2024
2024-07-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 586 Main Street, Room Main Meeting Room, Acton, Massachusetts, US
“I love our Chevy Bolt!”
“We purchased a Kia EV6 in June 2023 and we are very happy with the car.”
EnergizeActon.org testimonials

Are you thinking about an electric vehicle (EV)? The EV Petting Zoo* is a chance for you to talk with local EV drivers and see a variety of electric vehicles—not only well-known models like Tesla and the Chevy Bolt, but some newer cars to the market such as the Subaru Solterra and the Kia EV6. We hope to feature some of the Town’s new electric vehicles as well! Look for a short update on the current EV marketplace, including which cars qualify for the federal rebates and the current level of state rebates, along with some special tips and good resources, such as the Drive Green program and others.

(*Last year, to the disappointment of at least one young person, we did not have any animals to pet. This year a couple rabbits will be joining our event, courtesy of the Nature Connectionin Concord, MA. There is also a playground for the kids.)

The Climate Café Series 2024 aims to be a helpful, informal gathering place where Acton residents can discuss a fossil fuel free future. Local people who have experience in clean energy technologies will share their insights and answer questions from others who are considering these technologies and who are exploring ways to reduce their carbon footprints.
Many thanks to the Acton Memorial Library for co-hosting the EV Petting Zoo.

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

Energy Magic Show
2024-07-23 16:30 - 18:30 | Acton Memorial Library, 586 Main Street, Room Main Meeting Room, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Energy Bills Getting You Down?
Need to Pull a Rabbit Out of the Hat?

Our Massachusetts energy system sometimes feels full of the unexpected–like a magic show! This event is especially designed for renters and income-eligible residents and their families. For the adults, receive information about energy efficiency and energy discount programs. For instance, find out if you might be eligible for discounts on your electicity or gas bills. For the children, enjoy a live magic show, along with other games and activities.

A Mass Save representative will be present, along with reps from Mass LEAN (energy efficiency vendor for multi-family buildings of more than 4 units) and from SMOC (South Middlesex Opportunity Council), which helps facilitate energy bills support.

Come enjoy some pizza and learn about your energy options!

This event is sponsored by the Town of Acton Sustainability Office with funding from the Mass Save Community Education Grant.
For more information, call 978-929-6515 or write sustainability@actonma.gov.

A Celebration Of Plant-Based Food
2024-07-24 18:00 - 20:00
This event has been postponed due to a heat advisory!
Instead of July 17th, this event is rescheduled for Wed., July 24th, 6-8pm at NARA.
Climate Café Series 2024
A Celebration of Plant-Based Foods
Community Potluck Picnic

Please register HERE.

We all share one thing that can have a significant impact on climate change: the food we eat. Making changes to your eating habits can be done at your own pace and with little financial investment — but it can have a big climate impact!

This July 24th, EnergizeActon.org will again host the community potluck picnic, A Celebration of Plant-Based Foods, at the NARA Park Pavilions from 6:00-8:00pm. Eating more plant-based food is an immediate and DELICIOUS way to put less CO2 into the atmosphere. Please, you do not need to be a vegetarian or vegan chef. Just bring a plant-based dish that you enjoy. Even a simple bowl of fruit will be appreciated. The idea is to sample favorite plant-based recipes from across the community and to celebrate the wonderful bounty of the plant world.

Besides a dish based on fruit, veg, beans/nuts or grains, we ask you to consider bringing a few additional items that are fun but not required.

A copy of your recipe. (It will be posted for folks to photograph.)
Your favorite cookbook for plant-based recipes. Or, if you have a special book related to food and climate, that is also most welcome. We will create a book display for folks to browse before returning everything at the end of the event.
Your own napkin and cup.

We aim to make this event as low waste as possible. The Church of the Good Shepherd in Acton has agreed to let us borrow plates and cutlery from their plastics-free kitchen; however, your help with napkins and cups is appreciated. We will have all the necessities if you forget.

Finally, please bring your thoughts and your hopes. We would love to hear your ideas about how EnergizeActon.org can better serve the community with climate resources. Energize Acton has a mission—to help people understand our climate emergency and to act. Eating more plant-based meals is one of many potential actions listed on the website. How can we amplify the message about plant-based meals and about a future where our energy needs are not based on fossil fuels?

Most of all, please come, meet your neighbors, taste scrumptious food, and enjoy!
Please register HERE or simply join us!

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

Travel with Climate Awareness
2024-08-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 586 Main Street, Room Main Meeting Room, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Climate Café: Travel with Climate Awareness
“Hour for hour, flying is the fastest way to heat the planet.”
Kimberly Nicholas, Under the Sky We Make, p, 153

For many North Americans, travel has become a significant and meaningful part of our lives. We travel for business, for adventure, to connect with family, to escape our hectic schedules, and to expand our worldview, amongst other reasons. However, for all the people who are concerned about our changing climate, travel feels increasingly problematic.

This Climate Café conversation will touch on three themes.

What is the actual impact of our travel for the health of our climate? This section will look briefly at some of the statistics related to different forms of travel and the prospects for low-carbon technologies.
Can “regional joy” be an answer to your climate and travel concerns? This element of our conversation emphasizes travel satisfaction and happiness within a manageable distance around our homes.
Can carbon saving tips and contributions help to offset more distant travel? For many local residents, seeing family means going outside the region. In this section, our presenter shares many travel “tweaks” that can reduce the carbon impacts of distance travel.

We hope that this can be a genuine conversation where attendees can share their thoughts and suggestions related to travel. No registration required.

The Climate Café Series 2024 aims to be a helpful, informal gathering place where Acton residents can discuss a fossil fuel free future. Local people who have experience in clean energy technologies and lifestyles will share their insights and answer questions from others who are considering these technologies and who are exploring ways to reduce their carbon footprints.
Many thanks to the Acton Memorial Library for co-hosting this event.

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

2040: A "Carbon CREW" Discussion Group
2024-09-04 18:30 - 19:30 | Acton Memorial Library, 586 Main Street, Room Main Meeting Room, Acton, Massachusetts, US
This book study group is sponsored by Energize Boxbourough and the Acton Memorial Library.
Register HERE.
Wednesdays: September 4th, September 11th, September 18th, and September 25th
6:30 – 7:30pm
Pick up a copy of the book “2040” at the library Circulation Desk, or ask a librarian for help reserving this book in advance of the discussion group.
This study group is led by Boxborough resident Marjorie Kemp of the Carbon C.R.E.W. Project! The Carbon CREW (Carbon Reduction for Earth Renewal) Project started in Long Island and is inspired by the documentary 2040. In the film and this accompanying handbook, Austrailia film maker Damon Gameau looks at inspirational efforts around the world to address climate change and concludes that we have the resources to turn back our heating climate, if only we would implement the needed changes. The Carbon CREW Project takes themes from the book–Transportation, Buildings/Energy, Consumption, Diet, and Drawdown–and looks at how individual households can reduce their carbon footprints.
2040 Discussion: Where Climate Meets Community

Reduce your carbon footprint by 50% in 5 years.
Enjoy community-building – and fun – discussions.
Set goals for your personal vision of the future.
Become action oriented. Make the best decisions for yourself, Acton, and the planet.

Please contact Boxborough resident marjoriek@comcast.net with “2040” in the subject line to sign up, or register through the Acton Memorial Library online CALENDAR.

EV Driver Meet-Up
2024-09-30 17:00 - 19:00 | Rapscallion, 5 Strawberry Hill Rd, Room Outdoor Tent, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Come and share notes on Electric Vehicles.
Come and ask EV drivers about their experiences.
Come and celebrate National Drive Electric Week.

The Energize Acton experience with the EV “Petting Zoo” sessions has taught us that EV drivers love to talk about their vehicles! Thank goodness for that! Plus, EV drivers love to hear about other models and to learn about EV advances. This meet-up is a chance for us to share food and talk about our experiences, with our vehicles on hand. And perhaps even share ideas about how to better promote EVs.
We also welcome everyone who might be thinking about purchasing an EV. Feel free to come ask questions and see our vehicles. EV ownership in Acton has shot up over the past two years, from 293 vehicles at the end of 2022 to 674 electric vehicles by June of this year. That is over double the number of electric vehicles in 18 months! Please come and find out what has EV drivers so excited! We will have info available about state and federal incentives as well good resources to help people go EV. While global CO2 rates continue to rise, we can exemplify a path to reduced CO2.

Register HERE or simply join us.

Energize Acton will provide a couple appetizers and Rapscallion invites you to order from the menu. Rapscallion is a long time member of the Acton Climate Coalition, which co-sponsors EnergizeActon.org. We know that this time might be tricky for people, just coming off work and taking children to evening classes, so feel free to drop-in whenever you are able. Or bring the kids and we will have coloring and craft activities for them.
EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

Clean Energy Home Tour: Learn about Heat Pumps
2024-10-26 11:00 - 14:15 | South Acton Homeowner, Address sent upon registration., Acton, Massachusetts, US
Clean Energy Home Tour
October Focus on Heat Pumps

“David Martin was top notch! We will be following up with him.” 2023 Clean Energy Tour
“Great range of features and home tours.” 2023 Clean Energy Tour

Are you thinking about replacing your oil or gas furnace with high-efficiency mini-splits/heat pumps? Join in the Energize Acton October Clean Energy Home Tour and see a house currently heated and cooled with cold weather heat pumps. Feel the comfort level for yourself and talk with the homeowner, David Martin, about his experience moving the home from fossil fuel heating and cooling to cleaner energy systems. This home is also unique because it has both a standard mini-split heat pump and and a larger heat pump to hot water system. David is one of Acton’s Clean Energy Coaches and has experience with a variety of clean energy technologies.

Register HERE.

When: Saturday, October 26, 2024 with an 11:00am tour and a 1:00pm tour.
Where: South Acton (Address sent unpon registration.)
The technologies you will see in this home include:

Hydronics whole-house heat pump
Mini-split heat pump
Heat pump dryer
Heat pump water heater
Induction range
EV and Electric car chargers
Battery-electric hard tools (lawn mower, snow blower, chain saw, etc.)

There will be two 1-hour sessions to see the house at 11am and 1pm. Register HERE.
After registration you will receive an email with the house address and specific information about parking, etc. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Also, there will be handouts about state and federal incentives as well as background material about heat pumps.

EnergizeActon.org is co-sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Do you have ideas or a talent you would like to contribute? Please contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. The Energize Acton team meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays on each month.

Plant-Based Harvest Gathering
2024-11-09 12:00 - 14:00 | Acton, MA Homeowner, Address sent upon registration., Acton, Massachusetts, US
Plant-Based Harvest Gathering
An Alternative to the Afternoon Tailgate Party!

Register HERE.

Building on the Energize Acton action, “Eat More Plant-Based Meals,” we invite you to this casual, drop-in event for another take on plant forward dishes, this time with a focus on appetizers. Energize Acton will provide a vegetarian chili and corn bread, plus hot cider and hot chocolate. We ask you to try your hand at a vegetarian/vegan appetizer or dessert. Thank you for considering more plant-based meals in your diet! These dietary changes actually make a big difference for your carbon footprint.

Saturdays are super busy for everyone, so feel free to drop by for 30 minutes . . . or stay for as long as you like! We are pitching the gathering as an alternative “tailgate party.” But instead of coming together for a sporting event, we are coming together to promote a sustainable future. If the weather is wet, we will shift indoors.

This event is at a private residence and the address will be sent upon registration. There is parking for about 13-15 vehicles, with back-up on a neighbor’s driveway. All the details will be sent when you register.

Register HERE.

At our summer community potluck picnic, a number of people asked us to do other plant forward events during the year. This is our first experiment with a non-summer gathering! Please let us know what you think about the idea and the timing. Thanks so much!

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Town of Acton Sustainability Office and the Acton Climate Coalition. Are you interested in getting involved? Please write us at energizeacton.org@gmail.com. We meet the first and third Wednesdays of each month, but there are other ways to be involved!

Heat Pump Pizza Party
2024-12-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 586 Main Street, Room Main Meeting Room, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Learn about Air Source Heat Pumps!
Register at bit.ly/HPPRSVP.

Join us for a talk with heat pump experts. Learn about how they work and how state and federal incentives can help you pay for them.
Air ource heat pumps are an incredibly efficient way to heat your home. (Only a ground source heat pump system, i.e. geothermal heat, is more efficient.) Advanced cold weather heat pumps, long tested in frigid parts of Asia, are proven to work here in New England. Find out how the free Acton Clean Energy Coach Program can assist you through the heat pump selection process.
Pizza and snacks will be provided!
Register at bit.ly/HPPRSVP.

Sponsored by the Town of Acton Sustainability Office
with outreach support from EnergizeActon.org.

EnergizeActon.org is co-hosted by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in getting involved or helping out? Contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com.

EV Fast Chargers and Hot Chocolate!
2025-01-16 15:00 - 16:30 | Veterans Field, 655 Main Street, Unit Corner of Rt. 27 and the Great Rd, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Please come celebrate Acton’s latest clean energy achievement—two EV fast chargers!

Stop by for free hot chocolate/coffee/tea and a snack at the location of the new EV fast chargers, the corner of Rt. 27 & the Great Road/Rt. 2A (kitty-corner from CVS and Kitchen Outfitters).

Thanks to the Town of Acton Sustainability Office and our visionary Town leadership, Acton is taking more and more steps toward a clean energy future. This event is the chance for a warm beverage and a quick check-in about local sustainability actions. We will have resources about a variety of climate friendly actions you can take in 2025 or plan for in the future.

Please spread the word about the variety of EV charging options in Acton, from the new fast chargers to the many Level 2 chargers available at the Acton Town Hall and other locations around town. (See the list and locations of chargers.)

EnergizeActon.org is a joint project of the Town of Acton Sustainability Office and the Acton Climate Coalition. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Interested in volunteering? Contact us HERE.

A Climate Conversation with Novelist Rich Marcello
2025-01-28 18:30 - 19:45 | Acton Memorial Library, 586 Main Street, Room Main Meeting Room, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Come in-person or join online!
Online registration at https://tinyurl.com/4jsh69nw.
Join local author Rich Marcello for a sit down interview on his 6th novel, The Means of Keeping.
The Means of Keeping is a profound exploration of grief, friendship, and the indelible impact of climate change on personal and global scales. Set in a near-future America, the novel follows two lifelong friends shattered by a climate crisis-induced tragedy that claims the lives of their families. The evolving dynamics provide a rich narrative ground, exploring the intersections of personal loss, love, renewal, environmental activism, and the search for meaning in a world on the brink of unrepairable catastrophe.
Want to read it ahead of time? Copies will be available at the Circulation Desk beginning in December.
This event is co-sponsored by Town of Acton Sustainability Office & EnergizeActon.org

EnergizeActon.org is a joint project of the Town of Acton Sustainability Office and the Acton Climate Coalition. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Interested in volunteering? Contact us HERE.

Heat Pump Water Heater: hot showers & cool savings!
2025-02-12 19:00 - 20:00
Join Wayland for an online heat pump water heater webinar on February 12, 7:00 – 8:00 pm co-sponsored by plugIN (a collaboration of 7 metrowest towns) and Resilient Swampscott. We’ll be joined by Bob Zogg, from the Heat Smart Alliance, hear from community members about their experiences, and provide time for questions! Discover how this efficient electric alternative can heat your water, save energy, and reduce your climate impact. Heat pump water heaters are three times more efficient than conventional electric water heaters.
Join us for an evening of information, learning, and community!
plugIN Metrowest is a collaboration of 7 towns & cities: Acton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

Register here!
Can’t make it? Register anyway and we will send the meeting recording to all who register.

CLEAN ENERGY HOME TOUR: Heat Pumps in Action
2025-03-01 11:00 - 14:30 | Address Sent on Registration, Address Sent upon Registration, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Clean Energy Home Tour
March Focus on Heat Pumps

“David Martin was top notch! We will be following up with him.” 2023 Clean Energy Tour
“This went way beyond my expectations!” 2024 Clean Energy Tour

Are you thinking about replacing your oil or gas furnace with high-efficiency mini-splits/heat pumps? Join in the Energize Acton March Clean Energy Home Tour and see a house currently heated and cooled with cold weather heat pumps. Feel the comfort level for yourself and talk with the homeowner, David Martin, about his experience moving the home from fossil fuel heating and cooling to cleaner energy systems. This home is also unique because it has both a standard mini-split heat pump and a larger heat pump to hot water system. David is one of Acton’s Clean Energy Coaches and has experience with a variety of clean energy technologies.

Register HERE.

When: Saturday, March 1, 2025 with an 11:00am tour and a 1:00pm tour.
Where: South Acton (Address sent unpon registration.)
The technologies you will see in this home include:

Hydronics whole-house heat pump
Mini-split heat pump
Heat pump dryer
Heat pump water heater
Induction range
EV and Electric car chargers
Battery-electric hard tools (lawn mower, snow blower, chain saw, etc.)

There will be two 1-hour sessions to see the house at 11am and 1pm. Register HERE.
After registration you will receive an email with the house address and specific information about parking, etc. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Also, there will be handouts about state and federal incentives as well as background material about heat pumps.

EnergizeActon.org is co-sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Do you have ideas or a talent you would like to contribute? Please contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. The Energize Acton team meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays on each month.

AB Community Skate FUNdraiser
2025-03-02 14:30 - 16:30 | Nashoba Valley Olympia Skating Rink, 34 Massachusetts Ave, Room Rink 3, Boxborough, Massachusetts, US
AB Community Skate FUNdraiser
Sunday, March 2, 2025 from 2:30-4:30pm at the Nashoba Valley Olympia.
Suggested Donation: $5 Individual or $20 Family
This event is hosted by AB STEAM, a community group with which EnergizeActon.org has worked. Although we are advertising this event, please note that EnergizeActon.org is co-sponsored by the Town of Acton and cannot receive donations. Funds from the above event will not be used for EnergizeActon.org programming.
All Donations Benefit:

AB STEAM Activities(Science Technology Engineering ART Math)
Local Food Pantries
Wellness & Eco / Climate Action Programs

Hosted by: AB STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art & Math)
For more information about this community event go to https://www.actonpip.org/join/fundraisers
AB PIP STEM stands for the Acton Boxorough Science,Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math Program.

Webinar: Induction cooktops
2025-03-18 19:00 - 20:00
Did you know cooking with gas might be making your kitchen air worse than outside pollution? Gas stoves release harmful stuff like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, which can even increase asthma risk in kids. And ventilation only helps if your exhaust fan is strong and you actually use it.
When it’s time to replace your stove, consider going electric or induction. Induction stoves heat faster than gas and are super efficient—plus, they’re safer (you can’t burn your hand on the stove!). And with new rebates and tax credits, switching to induction is more affordable than ever.
Join us for an online webinar on March 18th from 7-8pm! Andee Krasner (Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility and co-author with Rocky Mountain Institute of a report on gas stoves) will share the facts about gas stove risks and the benefits of induction cooking. We’ll also hear from neighbors using induction cooktops, plus plenty of time for Q&A.
Register: https://bit.ly/induction-cooktop-webinar-318
Co-sponsored by plugIN Metrowest, a multi-town (Acton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Sudbury, Wayland, and Westborough) effort that aims to electrify homes and communities.
Can’t make it? Register anyway and we will send the meeting recording to all who register.

Clean Energy Home Tour: Solar Panels
2025-04-26 11:00 - 14:00 | Private Home in northern are of Acton, Address Sent Upon Registration, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Clean Energy Home of the Month
April Focus: Home Solar

“There is nothing like the real solutions people choose [to] feel like you’re getting solid, usable information, even when you know there are new models and options with everything.”
Clean Energy Tour feedback, 2023

Register HERE.

Home solar panels are a great way to adopt renewable energy and to save money on electricity.
Unlike our 2024 solar home tour, which looked at an amazing house with ground-mount panels and four solar batteries, where the home drew very little electricity from the grid and put none into the grid; this year, for 2025, we are featuring a much simpler and “everyday” solar project, where the energy from the solar panels feeds into the grid and the homeowners receive net metering credits from Eversource. Your hosts are very happy with this more traditional system. Along with explaining the equipment, the homeowners will outline their selection process, the resources that helped them, and the expense of the project. They will also share data from two years’ worth of solar generation/net metering credits and explain the impact of the net metering on their monthly bills and their payback timeline.
In addition, you will receive an update on incentives as of mid-April 2025. Massachusetts net metering makes solar rooftop panels attractive, even aside from federal tax rebates. However, EnergizeActon.org will share the latest info on the federal context, where homeowner solar tax credits remain in effect as of this writing. (Red states have benefitted greatly from solar installations on all levels–private, municipal, and state–so reducing the incentives does have real political consequences.)
As solar owners will comment, it is a real delight to get multiple electricity bills where your balance is an extraordinary . . . $0.00!
There will be two 1-hour sessions to see the house at 11am and 1pm.
The address is sent with registration.

Register HERE.

April Home Equipment:
Rooftop Solar PV (2022) – 18 panels
Ground Mount Solar RV (2008) – 16 panels
Kia EV6 Electric Vehicle (2023)
Home Level 2 charger/ChargePoint (2023)

More Clean Energy Home Tours are on the way!
Saturday, May 10th, will feature an historic home with heat pumps and solar.
Saturday, June 15th, will be a double head with two neighbors whose systems do not use fossil fuels.

EnergizeActon.org is co-sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Do you have ideas or a talent you would like to contribute? Please contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. The Energize Acton team meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays on each month.

Nature of Acton and Boxborough 2025
2025-05-05 00:00 - 12:55 | Natural Landscapes, Parks, Woodlands, Wetlands, Backyards, Acton and Boxborough, Massachusetts, US
Please join the Nature of Acton and Boxborough 2025 Bioblitz this April.

We invite you to document and celebrate biodiversity in Acton and Boxborough. Last year 26 participants made almost 1000 observations and identified over 500 species in the Acton and Boxborough area.
To join, first create an account on iNaturalist on your phone or computer at www.iNaturalist.org. Then, join our Project. You can search for our Project on the Community tab on your computer, or on your phone. Search for Nature of Acton and Boxborough April 2025 or click here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/nature-of-acton-and-boxborough-april-2025-97a1ec54-b74d-4d71-a381-0aaddbbff9ee
(Please make sure you are joining the 2025 project, not the 2024 project!)
We are opening the window on April 18 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Samuel Prescott’s ride (and Paul Revere’s Ride) to Acton. But the Boston Area City Nature Challenge will only count observations from April 25 to 28, so it’s important to make observations during that time period as well.
For more information about the Boston Area CNC, visit: https://www.bostoncnc.org/.
There are over 2,000 acres of conservation areas in Acton and Boxborough with a variety of habitats, such as cattail marshes, ponds, open fields and dense forests. These habitats host snapping turtles, reptiles, frogs, insects, birds, mammals, and many plant species. Another 3,000 acres of private land provides habitat for wildlife, including two steps outside your door! What kind of wildlife lives here? Let’s find out this April!
Then snap a photo of any plant, animal or fungus you see and get it on our list. Can we break 500 species this year? Who can ID the most? Taking observations of wildlife helps advance science, too! According to National Geographic, “High quality data uploaded toiNaturalist becomes part of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, an open source database used by scientists and policy makers around the world.”
This is a fun activity for your family and to celebrate Earth Week.
This Bioblitz is a collaboration of people from Energize Acton, the Acton Conservation Trust, Green Acton, AB Steam Acton Men’s Outdoor Club, Acton Discovery Museum, the Boxborough Conservation Trust and the Town of Acton Sustainability office. If you have any questions about the activity or about how to join the project in iNaturalist, feel free to contact Matt Liebman at liebman.matt57@gmail.com.

Acton Clean Energy Home Tour: A 1793 Farmhouse Goes Energy Efficient!
2025-05-10 10:00 - 14:00 | Historic Acton Home, Address Sent Upon Registration, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Clean Energy Home Tour:
May Focus on Energy Updates to an Historic House

Register HERE.

Do you have an older home? A larger home? Are you thinking about replacing your oil or gas furnace with high-efficiency air source heat pumps? Interested to know how solar panels can help with electrical costs? Come visit this historic property, with a large 1793 farmhouse, and learn about the steps taken to make this home more energy efficient, including new insulation, windows, air source heat pumps and solar panels. Your hosts are eager to share what worked, what was less successful, and what actions other residents might tackle first in their own homes. This is a great opportunity to explore the unique energy challenges that come with homes built in other eras. Plus, it is an awesome property that many of us drive past every day!
We are optimistic that an official Acton Clean Energy Coach will also be on hand for these tours. There will be a 10:00am session and a 1:00pm session. As usual, coffee and snacks will be on hand, along with the latest resources from EnergizeActon.org, including the most up-to-date information on incentives.

Register HERE.

When: Saturday, May 10th with a 10:00am tour and a 1:00pm tour.
Where: Acton Historic District (Address sent upon registration.)
The technologies you will see in this home include:

27 panel rooftop solar system;
3 air source heat pumps (ducted);
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV);
Ultra efficient heat pump hot water heater;
Rehabilitated historical windows with storms;
Induction stove and energy star appliances;
EV (2017 Tesla) and level 2 car charger;
Fireplace with top sealing damper and makeup air vent;
24W backup generator with critical-loads electrical panel; and
Water conservation measures inside and out.

After registration you will receive an email with the house address and specific information about parking, etc. Thank you for your interest!

EnergizeActon.org is co-sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Do you have ideas or a talent you would like to contribute? Please contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. The Energize Acton team meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays on each month.

Mass Save: Friend of Our Future
2025-05-28 19:00 - 20:15
Mass Save: Friend or Foe?
Register HERE.

Is Mass Save a villain, causing high utility bills? Or is Mass Save a critical, if all too human, effort to make energy more efficient, more environmentally safe, and—fingers crossed—more affordable? Scrolling social media and news reports this past winter, many people blamed Mass Save for high bills. Is this fair? Can we get an accurate picture of where Mass Save actually stands in the context of energy provision and energy costs for Massachusetts households?
Mark Dyen is an energy efficiency expert who can help us see the big picture.
Mark was a co-founder and leader of the non-profit Conservation Services Group, where he spent over 30 years on energy efficiency program development in several states and the province of Quebec. Over the last 10 years, he has focused on residential energy efficiency, distributed generation policy, and carbon reduction plans. In addition to wide experience across the field, Mark is a voice for energy equity. He has also participated in efforts to improve Mass Save.
Mark will address the following questions.

Was Mass Save the main driver of high energy costs this past winter?
What percentage of your energy bills goes to Mass Save?
How does Mass Save benefit households?
Can Mass Save benefit households with fewer resources, e.g. renters?
Will Mass Save help people reduce energy costs?
Does it make sense for utilities to oversee Mass Save?
What is the future of Mass Save?

Register HERE.

Thank you for your interest in a clean, affordable energy future.
EnergizeActon.org is co-sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Do you have ideas or a talent you would like to contribute? Please contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. The Energize Acton team meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays on each month.

Clean Energy Home Tour Double Header!
2025-06-07 11:00 - 14:00 | Two Fossil Fuel Free Neighbors, Address sent after registration., Acton, Massachusetts, US
Tour Two Clean Energy Homes
June Focus: Fossil Fuel Free Neighbors
Register HERE.

Can you picture your home completely disconnected from fossil fuels? Well, come to the June Clean Energy Home Tour and see two households who have done just that! These are NOT swanky LEED certified designer houses. Rather, these are normal homes where the owners have taken steps over time to transition to clean energy. And both households officially capped their natural gas lines! The two homes are connected to the electrical grid; however, both households signed up for Acton Power Choice GREEN and both households have solar panels, so their use of the grid relies on renewable sources. The owners look forward to speaking with you about their journeys!

There will be a morning tour (11am) and an afternoon tour (1pm) for each household, so that you can see one home or both. You can indicate your choices when you register. You are also invited to a light lunch at noon. In between these two neighbors are a set of recently installed solar carports. For those who can stay to eat with us, Jim Snyder-Grant, Acton Select Board member and a founder of the Acton Clean Energy Coach Program, will give guests an orientation to these new structures and their contribution to the grid. All are welcome free of charge.

Register HERE.

House #1 Details
Duplex with 1200 sq feet of area

Solar panels
Air source heat pump mini-splits (Fujitsu—one single head and one multi-head)
Air source heat pump hot water heater (AO Smith 50 gallon)
Air source heat pump clothes dryer (Miele T1)
EV and EV charging
Induction stovetop (Kenmore)
Whole-house electricity monitoring (Emporia)
Electric Lawn Mower

House #2 Details
2400 sq feet built in 1996

Geothermal Heating and Cooling System (2024)
Solar Panels : 10 kW PV array on roof
Solar Battery Storage : 18 kWh Generac battery
Solar hot water panels on roof
Greenhouse heat transfer system
Clivus toilet composting system
4-stage reverse osmosis water filter
Induction Cooktop
EV and shared EV charger
Rechargeable electric mower

The owners write, “Don’t try to do everything at once, but make a plan and follow it (Zero Carbon Over Time). Don’t agonize and try for perfection. Very good and sooner is better than perfect and later.”

EnergizeActon.org is a joint project of the Town of Acton Sustainability Office and the Acton Climate Coalition.
Interested in joining us? We welcome your involvement in any way, large or small. The team meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at noon. Or just write us to share your ideas. The email address is EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com.

Electric Vehicle Petting Zoo
2025-07-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 586 Main Street, Room Main Meeting Room, Acton, Massachusetts, US
“’With five years of conducting this study and surveying thousands of EV owners, it’s apparent that once consumers enter the EV fold, they’re highly likely to remain committed to the technology,’ (with a repurchase rate of 94-97%.)” J.D. Power

Register HERE . . . or simply stop by at the library!

Even in our uncertain times, electric vehicles continue to advance and amaze. With zero emissions, high performance, and low maintenance costs, EVs are fun to own. And, of course, they are critical to the effort to address our warming climate. EV drivers are huge champions of this technology. The EV Petting Zoo* is a chance for you to talk with local EV drivers and see a variety of electric vehicles, with passenger models from Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, and more; plus the Town of Acton will be showcasing some of their electric vehicles. We welcome all who are thinking about an electric vehicle AND we welcome folks who have recently purchased an EV and would like to share their experiences. You can sign up to join us or simply come by!
Register HERE.
Resources will also be available addressing topics from incentives to charging. Look for info about the Massachusetts MOR-EV program and its rebates, the latest information on federal EV tax credits, special tips about the growing used EV market, and other helpful organizations such as the Drive Green program.
This event is part of our 2025 Climate Café summer series. The Climate Cafés aim to be an informal, helpful gathering place where Acton residents can discuss a fossil fuel free future, share experiences with clean energy technologies, and look at lifestyle choices that make a difference for our planet. Other events this summer include the

Celebration of Plant-Based Foods Community Potluck Picnic (Wed. July 23rd, 6-8pm, at NARA Park);
Talk—We hope to have another event in August related to resilience. Stay tuned!

Thank you so much for your interest. We look to seeing you at this event or at future events.
*Unfortunately, our “petting zoo” does not include live animals.

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

Energy Eco-Night
2025-08-15 17:00 - 19:00 | NARA Park Bathhouse Pavilion, 75 Quarry Rd, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Welcome to the Acton Sustainability Office’s
ENERGY ECO-NIGHT!
To sign up, please go to bit.ly/eneconightrsvp.

This event is about celebrating and sharing our community’s efforts to make energy efficiency and clean energy accessible to everyone—regardless of renter status, income, or home type. Our goal is to share a variety of energy-efficiency and cost-saving resources with the public, as well as give attendees the opportunity to ask questions and connect directly with representatives from relevant organizations.
While we are planning a fun event for all ages, the keys to this event are the organizations who have volunteered to share their resources with the community. Please come and check out the resources available to you.
And enjoy the fun!

Free Pizza
Raffle Prizes
Free Wildlife Presentation with Animal Adventures from 5:00-6:00pm
Family-Friendly Activities

Free transportation is also available. Please contact the Sustainability Office at sustainability@actonma.gov.

To sign up, please go to bit.ly/eneconightrsvp .

Acton Flood Solutions
2025-08-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Gardner Park, 526 Massachusetts Ave, Room West Acton, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Tour of Flood-Prone Areas – Part 1
Calling all Students (Grades 7-12) and Residents interested in reducing the impacts of local flooding!
SIGN-UP for the Hack-a-thon HERE.

Are you a problem solver? Interested in environmental science and sustainability? This informational walk marks the first stage in the Acton Flood Solutions Student Hack-a-thon, sponsored by AB STEAM with support from the Acton Sustainability Office, the Acton Conservation Dept. and the Integral Charitable Foundation. Join us as we ask a particular question: How can we reduce flooding and the impacts of flooding in Acton in a way that is economical, sustainable, and socially and environmentally friendly?
Join the organizers for FREE ice cream and information from 4:00-5:00pm at Gardner Park in West Acton. Then the participants will caravan to the Heath Hen Meadow Trail in South Acton at the very back of Mount Hope Cementary, 166 Central St., Acton. The group will walk the Heath Hen Trail, led by Acton Conservation Dept. Staff, and look at a flooded area, discussing challenges and solutions.
As our climate warms, extreme weather events are becoming more common, including serious flood and flash-flood episodes. Help the Town address this challenge! AB STEAM is launching the Hackathon this summer and fall! The winning solution will receive an award and recognition! Plus students can earn community service credit (up to 15 hours). Join a team or create your own team to develop strategies to reduce flooding. Here is the Hack-a-thon timeline

Tues., Aug. 19th, 4:00-6:00pm: Informational Walk about Flood-Prone areas
Tues, Sept. 30th, 6:00-7:00pm on zoom: Main Hack-a-thon information session
Fri., Oct. 3rd: Hack-a-thon Sign-Up Deadline
TBA, January, 2026: Hack-a-thon in-person event to present solutions

The August 19th event also includes an all-day fundraiser for AB STEAM at the West Side Creamery in West Acton. Mention AB STEAM when ordering your ice cream and part of your purchase will go to AB STEAM. (Please note: No funds will benefit EnergizeActon.org.)

Join the Hack-a-thon! Sign-up HERE.

Climate Café: Zero Waste?
2025-08-26 17:00 - 18:00 | The Red House Outdoor Classroom, 468 Main Street, Room (Please park next door at Acton Town Hall.), Acton, Massachusetts, US
Zero Waste? The Story of Our Trash
Please register HERE.

Many people and communities aspire to a zero-waste goal. Yet, in recent years, news reports have left many folks cynical about what actually happens to our trash. Are there facilities for recycling here in New England? Or does it get sent overseas or even incinerated? Is composting making a difference for food waste? What about commercial pick-up from Acton’s apartment buildings and condo associations? Have Acton residents succeeded in reducing their portion of trash in our municipal solid refuse? Has the plastic bag ban been a success?
Join Lauren West, Environmental Analyst for the Acton Sustainability Office, as she outlines what happens to waste here in Acton and as she looks regional/national trends.
This is also an event to celebrate the new outdoor classroom at the Sustainability Office’s “Red House,” 468 Main Street, next to Town Hall. Please park at Town Hall and follow the signs along the walkway and across Woodbury Lane to the Red House. Munchies and cool beverages will be served in low-waste style!!

Please register HERE.

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

RECORDING: Garden for Climate Resilience (Watch Anytime!)
2025-09-30 04:20 - 16:22
“A Part of Nature, Not Apart from Nature” Trevor Smith, Regenrative Land Expert
See Recording HERE.
From drought to overwhelming rain, the last two years have been tough on the New England region. Though we have not been hit as hard as some parts of the country and of the globe, the reality of our changing climate is evident in our own gardens and open spaces. Is there anything we can do to keep our home and local landscapes healthy and thriving? The answer is YES!
Join Trevor Smith for this talk about how to garden and manage landscapes for resilience. Trevor is the Design and Education Manager for Weston Nurseries, but he also has long experience in regenerative land care, from addressing urban heat islands with greening projects to designing rain gardens and managing stormwater runoff. A part of Trevor’s presentation will look at the key element of water extremes, i.e., what can we do about too much or too little rain? In addition, Trevor will address the living systems in our yards. How can we keep soils intact and vigorous? What plant species are most adaptable? And which species are key for maintaining the biodiversity on which our land depends?
Trevor’s joy in the natural world is as deep as his commitment to ecological principles. Please bring your questions as he shares his hope for gardeners in a warming world.
This event happened at the Acton Town Hall, 472 Main St., Acton, MA, Room 204, on Wed., April 24th at 7pm. EnergizeActon.org thanks our co-sponsors—the Acton Conservation Trust and the Acton Garden Club Shirley Towle Lecture Fund—for their generosity and their vision.
EnergizeActon.org is a joint project of the Town of Acton Sustainability Office and the Acton Climate Coalition.
We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Interested in volunteering? Contact us HERE.

October Clean Energy Home Tour
2025-10-25 11:00 - 14:00 | North Acton neighborhood, Address sent upon registration., Acton, Massachusetts, US
Tour the Clean Energy Home of the Month
October Focus: Heat Pumps/Gas/Solar Multi-System House
Register HERE.

Concerned about the fossil fuels that heat your home? But not be sure how to incorporate unfamiliar renewable technologies? This month’s clean energy home is a great example of homeowners who have decided to address change one step at a time. They began by reviewing their home energy efficiency and doing a thorough project of insulation–with immediate results. Then, rather than redo their entire gas system, they decided the first step was a dual fuel combo of air source heat pump and natural gas furnace. Finally, a change in their tree canopy opened up space for their latest project, rooftop solar. Their experience has been so positive that one of the homeowners has become an Acton Clean Energy Coach!
Very few households have the resources to decarbonize their homes in one fell swoop. Come and talk with these Acton neighbors about creating a multi-year plan for transitioning to clean energy. Forward motion is the key. Perhaps year one is the affordable goal of an in-depth home energy audit and using the clothes dryer less in favor on drying racks. Year two might be another affordable goal of home insulation with great rebates from Mass Save. And so on, planning toward significant change. This home tour will give you good ideas about systems big and small, timeframes, and costs.
Register HERE.
The October Clean Energy Home’s Technologies

Mass Save Insulation Program
Ducted Bosch heat- pump and high efficiency gas furnace combo
Solar panels with majority of panels facing west due to trees on south side
Eco power lawn mower and leaf blower

When: Saturday, October 25, 11am and 1pm
Where: North Acton
There will be two 1-hour sessions to see the house at 11am and 1pm.
After registration you will receive an email with the house address and specific information about parking, etc.
Pumpkin give-away to celebrate the season! Along with cider, coffee, and munchies.

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

Discover STEM
2025-11-07 18:00 - 20:30 | Acton Boxborough Regional High School, 36 Charter Rd, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Energize Acton Demos Energy Efficiency Technology

Join AB STEAM for the DiscoverSTEM 2025 event, exploring science, technology, engineering, and math career options. DiscoverSTEM is set up like a trade show where local STEM companies exhibit the latest technologies for students in grades 7 through 12 and for the community. Exhibitors are representatives from diverse fields who showcase about their products, services, ideas, and inventions and share the real-world usage of STEM.
EnergizeActon.org will be one of the exhibitors, highlighting the tools used to increase home energy efficiency, such as infrared cameras to pinpoint heating/cooling gaps in home/building envelopes.
DiscoverSTEM 2025 is sponsored by AB STEAM (Acton Boxborough Science/Technology/Engineering/Art/Math). AB STEAM is a non-profit community organization dedicated to 1) providing family-oriented math, science and art activities and events; 2) collaborating with parents, students, schools, community leaders and business partners; and 3) promoting resources that enrich Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) education in our community.

RECORDING -- The Trees Are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forests
2025-12-31 00:05 - 23:55
The Trees Are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forests
SEE THE RECORDING HERE.

“What we’re really talking about when we talk about forests isn’t only about the trees, and it certainly isn’t only about the lumber; it’s about the relationships.” Lynda V. Mapes

Registration for this event has closed, however we are pleased to provide the recording HERE.
Unfortunately, we have only the author’s slides and audio. Her initial slide is up for quite some time, which might seem like an error, but please presevere! Lynda’s talk is wonderful! And varied slides do come up.

This work focuses on the critical role of forests everywhere, but especially on both coasts of the U.S., and on the role of indigenous voices in advocating for ecosystem integrity.
Do you look at your own yard and see stressed trees? Spruces dying back? Fir trees struggling? The heart-wrenching loss of beautiful beeches to beech leaf disease? What is the connection between our local trees and the health of our forests? Increasingly, we recognize the importance of forests for key ecological functions, such as clean air, clean water, important pollinator/wildlife populations, carbon storage, and a balanced climate. So how are our forests doing? And how can we advocate for trees, near and far?
Lynda V. Mapes, award-winning environmental journalist for the Seattle Times, was inspired to write The Trees Are Speaking after exploring the richness of old growth forests in the Northwest U.S. and Canada. But she also came face to face with the widespread destruction of these forests. Mapes writes, “The book therefore became a witness not only to the incredible ecological and cultural values of these forests but to the connected history of their loss, beginning on the East Coast in Maine and repeated across the United States and continuing over the border into Canada, even today.”
But not all is gloom. Mapes also outlines the resilience of nature, the insights and perseverance of First Nations people who have raised their voices to protect and renew ecosystems, understandings of our inter-relatedness uncovered by scientists, and even new approaches to commercial forestry.
Please join us.

This talk is co-sponsored by the Acton Conservation Trust, the Acton Garden Club Shirley Towle Lecture Fund, the Silver Unicorn Bookstore, and EnergizeActon.org.

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.
