Wayland Energy and Climate Committee endorses decarbonization roadmap, EV-first policy

WAYLAND -- September 24, 2025, Wayland Energy and Climate Committee clears two documents needed for Climate Leader bid. The committee voted 3-0 twice Wednesday to recommend a decarbonization roadmap covering 22 municipal buildings and 85 fleet vehicles through 2050 and an EV-first procurement policy for light-duty town vehicles, both required for a December state application that would unlock additional grant funding. Chair Ellen R. Tohn, Tom Sciacca and Neil Gordon backed the motions; PowerOptions consultant Michelle Gardner will incorporate member comments due by next Friday. Tohn also floated a roughly $5,000 outreach line item in the Facilities budget, "pocket change" she said is "an absolute no-brainer." Associate member Paul Dale briefed members on the new DPU winter heat-pump rate effective Nov. 1, which cuts Eversource distribution charges from 6.3 cents to about 2 cents per kilowatt-hour and is projected to save 74 percent of single-family homes a median $963 per winter. Sustainability Manager Abby is departing for Worcester.