The mission of the Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) is to implement strategies that continually improve the environmental performance of Somerville city government and the community. OSE's objective is to make Somerville a leader in reducing energy usage and costs, minimizing environmental impacts and waste, and addressing global climate change, resulting in a healthy and enjoyable environment for the residents of Somerville.
Solarize Somerville was a City, State, and volunteer campaign to bring reduced cost solar electricity to Somerville residents. In just five months in 2016, we exceeded our goals, and community members signed up for over half a megawatt of rooftop solar panels.
This report presents an inventory of GHG emissions for all of Somerville as well as an inventory of the subset of emissions that are from city government operations. The inventories of 2014 emissions provide a baseline for planning emissions reductions and measuring progress in future years. This report identifies the leading sources of climate change-causing emissions in our community.
Somerville has set an ambitious goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. This report defines carbon neutrality and analyzes the technological transformations necessary to achieve this emissions reduction target, through the implementation of policies and programs. This report presents a possible pathway to reduce emissions but does not encompass all of the ways the city can reduce emissions and is not intended to be a prescription for how the city should reach its goal. The report is an exercise in understanding what it will take to become carbon neutral and will serve as a baseline resource for the strategies for Somerville that will be developed in the city’s Climate Change Plan
In order to implement a successful stormwater management plan and to eliminate (or reduce) non-point source pollution from Somerville, the City developed an in-house asset management and environmental accounting system for storm water utilities. This system developed a Geographic Information System (GIS) layer of stormwater utilities and Best Management Practices to track problems, solutions, implementations, and corrective actions. Special consideration was given to trees and greenery in the City to analyze and understand their utility as Best Management Practice (BMP) to reduce stormwater and pollution in general. Public educational material was developed and mailed to all residents and provided on the City's website.
Please note: The August 11 mobile HHW event has reached its capacity due to the overwhelming response. We are working to schedule another event at the earliest possible date. We will keep you posted on this webpage, through Waste Wizard notifications, and via social media.
It's easy for Somerville residents and businesses to recycle electronic waste responsibly.
SustainaVille is a call to come together to develop the most ambitious, creative, effective plan for both reducing our carbon output and preparing...
The City has piloted two green technologies developed by local companies to support this vital industry and...
Where some people see food scraps, we see the foundation of urban agriculture in Somerville!
See how you can replace your old fossil fuel-burning heating and cooling units with a green and efficient heat pump.
An easy, convenient, and free way to recycle pre-loved clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Somerville Climate Forward is a set of implementable actions that will reduce Somerville’s contribution to climate change and prepare the City for...
The goal is to increase the Somerville community's capacity to engage in climate action.
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Office of Sustainability and Environment announce an expansion of the city’s Community Choice Electricity Program (CCE) which will bring lower rates and increased renewable energy from local clean renewable sources.
This winter, Somerville property owners can save big on utility bills with an energy-saving heating system thanks to an initiative by National Grid being offered through the City of Somerville.
The City of Somerville is seeking community members interested in learning more about climate change, and the City’s actions toward addressing its challenges.
Join the City of Somerville, Groundwork Somerville, and Comcast Cares for the annual Spring Cleanup, on Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to noon. All participants are invited to meet at the Blessing of the Bay Boat House on Shore Drive from 9 to 10 a.m.
Please note: The August 11 mobile HHW event has reached its capacity due to the overwhelming response. We are working to schedule another event at the earliest possible date. We will keep you posted on this webpage, through Waste Wizard notifications, and via social media.
It's easy for Somerville residents and businesses to recycle electronic waste responsibly.
SustainaVille is a call to come together to develop the most ambitious, creative, effective plan for both reducing our carbon output and preparing...
The City has piloted two green technologies developed by local companies to support this vital industry and...
Where some people see food scraps, we see the foundation of urban agriculture in Somerville!
See how you can replace your old fossil fuel-burning heating and cooling units with a green and efficient heat pump.
An easy, convenient, and free way to recycle pre-loved clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Somerville Climate Forward is a set of implementable actions that will reduce Somerville’s contribution to climate change and prepare the City for...
The goal is to increase the Somerville community's capacity to engage in climate action.
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Office of Sustainability and Environment announce an expansion of the city’s Community Choice Electricity Program (CCE) which will bring lower rates and increased renewable energy from local clean renewable sources.
This winter, Somerville property owners can save big on utility bills with an energy-saving heating system thanks to an initiative by National Grid being offered through the City of Somerville.
The City of Somerville is seeking community members interested in learning more about climate change, and the City’s actions toward addressing its challenges.
Join the City of Somerville, Groundwork Somerville, and Comcast Cares for the annual Spring Cleanup, on Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to noon. All participants are invited to meet at the Blessing of the Bay Boat House on Shore Drive from 9 to 10 a.m.
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