Net Zero Action Plan Presentation - Nov 19th, 2025

Presentation on a planned update to Arlington's Net Zero Action Plan. Meeting held at 27 Maple St.

(Ryan Katofsky, Clean Energy Future Committee (CEFC) chair) Mr. Katofsky says the the current Net Zero Action Plan was completed in 2021 and the Clean Energy Future Committee would like to issue an update next year. Arlington has three main sources of greenhouse gas emissions: vehicles, electricity generation, and homes. We need to decarbonize our energy supply, electrify buildings, and electrify vehicles.

(Talia Fox, Sustainability Manager) Ms. Fox says the Net Zero Action Plan's goal is to reduce emissions and add offsets, like planting trees. We'll need to switch to electric vehicles and reduce the use of personal vehicles. Half of Arlington's emissions comes from residential homes and one-third comes from personal vehicles. Where we get electricity from matters as well; we want clean sources of energy.

Arlington has done three greenhouse gas inventories: in 2017, 2020, and 2022. We've made a 15\% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2017 and 2022. Sources of these reductions include less use of fuel oil for heading, using more renewables in our electric supply, having more electric vehicles, and better vehicle efficiencies.

(Paige, Planning Department Intern) Paige says there have been a number of outreach events on emissions reduction. The top priorities we've heard are: making it easier for people to bike, walk, and use transit, and using clean electricity for heating and cooking.

There were 316 responses to the town's net zero action plan survey. Items that were important to the community included: having more net-zero buildings, zero emissions mobility (by implementing the Connect Arlington Plan), and having a 100\% renewables option via Arlington Community Electric.

Other themes from the survey included: having realistic and data-driven plans, affordability, and making clear explanations available to the public.

Attendees break into table exercises at this point, to discuss and provide feedback on plan strategies.

(Lori Kenschaft, Energy Advocate) Ms. Kenschaft says that the electrify Arlington program was created as part of the first Net Zero Action Plan. The program hosts events, teaches classes, and has a website with resources.

(Anne, ?) Ann works with Mothers Out Front and the gas leaks task force. She asks people to write to our legislators, and ask them to put people over utility profits. People can also visit Mothers Out Front's website to sign a petition for neighborhood electrification. Mothers Out Front is interested in a just and equitable transition away from methane gas.

(Kristen Fritsch, CEFC) Ms. Fritch studies embedded carbon, and her call to action is for people to learn about it. There are greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacture, transportation, and maintenance of building materials. https://carbonleadershipforum.org/ is a useful source of information in this area. Concrete, insulation, and cladding are the materials with the highest carbon footprints. We can reduce our embedded carbon footprint by reusing, retrofitting, and adapting buildings.