Left to right: Select Board Vice-Chair Dean Charter, Sustainability Director Andrea Becerra, Acting Director of DOER Green Communities Division Joanne Bissetta, Town Manager John Mangiaratti, Select Board Chair David Martin, DOER Commissioner Patrick Woodcock, and Select Board Member Jim Snyder-Grant. (Photo Courtesy Department of Energy Resources)

Town Manager John S. Mangiaratti and Sustainability Director Andrea Becerra are pleased to announce that the Town of Acton was recently recognized with the Baker-Polito Administration's Leading by Example (LBE) award. 

The award is administered by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and given to communities that have spearheaded initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impacts and associated energy costs of government operations. 

Acton was recognized at the 15th annual LBE Awards Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 10, at UMass Lowell's University Crossing.

Acton was designated as a Green Community in 2010 and has achieved a 30 percent energy reduction through energy efficiency improvements. 

At a special town meeting in 2020 residents voted nearly unanimously to declare a climate emergency. In response to the declaration, the town began the development of a Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP will be published in the spring of 2022 and will list 15 to 20 prioritized strategies to curb community-wide greenhouse gas emissions during the next five to 10 years. The plan will include recommendations for buildings, energy, mobility, and nature-based solutions.

Additionally, the town plans to procure 100 percent renewable energy for municipal buildings from the Acton Power Choice program, construct a completely electric and net-zero fire station, transition to more efficient vehicles, including fully converting the police fleet to hybrids, and expand solar initiatives by adding to the existing 1.6 MW solar field and two rooftop systems. 

The town is currently participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project, joining municipalities across the world in publicly disclosing greenhouse gas emissions data to track environmental actions and progress globally.

“Public sector leaders at the state and local level play a crucial role in contributing innovative approaches and solutions that help our state meet its ambitious climate and clean energy goals,” Governor Charlie Baker said. “Today’s award ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the good work of our state and municipal leaders and the action they are taking to protect our environment, reduce costs and embrace forward-looking solutions to our energy challenges.”

About the LBE Program

The Leading by Example Program works collaboratively with state agencies and public colleges and universities to advance clean energy and sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impacts of state government operations. LBE serves as a trusted resource and helps transform policy into action through strategic partnerships, technical assistance, grant funding, and nation-leading best practices. LBE strives to empower residents and businesses to take action to collectively address the energy and environmental challenges facing Massachusetts.

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