Photo courtesy of EPA New England

Sustainable Belmont recently received a 2010 Environmental Merit Award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England, one of 10 organizations in Massachusetts and a total of 40 individuals or groups across New England to receive the prestigious award, which recognizes individuals and groups whose work has protected or improved the region’s environment in distinct ways. Given out by EPA since 1970, the merit awards honor individuals and groups who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts to protect the environment. Sustainable Belmont was honored at a ceremony held at Faneuil Hall in Boston. Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA New England, (third from left) and Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for the EPA Office of Air and Radiation (fifth from right), presented members of Sustainable Belmont with a plaque, which will hang in Belmont’s Town Hall. Sustainable Belmont was recognized for two substantial accomplishments in particular: finishing a Climate Action Plan for Belmont and adoption by the Belmont Board of Selectmen and Belmont Town Meeting of two major recommendations in this plan. The recommendations were to work toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050 and to create a permanent Town Energy Committee responsible for this goal. Established in 2005, the Town’s Vision Implementation Committee charged Sustainable Belmont with helping the Belmont community to achieve a single part of Belmont’s Vision to become “an environmentally responsible community.”

In case of technical problems with this website, please contact webmaster@sustainablebelmont.net.