Sustaining the wealth of Boston’s industry

BOSTON’S EMERGING ECO-INDUSTRIAL ZONE

IN NEWMARKET

• Major commercial and industrial wholesale district in Boston

• Over 500 employers with more than 11,000 employees in the district

• Generates over $3 billion in sales every year

NEWMARKET & BostonIntroduction to Newmarket

OUR SHARED VISION-Why are we here?

• EPA provided seed funding to develop Newmarket as an “integrated eco-industrial zone”

• We aim to develop Newmarket as a “laboratory” to pilot cleantech projects and programs

• We want to collaborate with leading policy-makers to develop a vibrant urban sustainability model for C&I businesses

– Partner with existing programs– Leverage funding and resources– Pilot new, innovative ideas

• Purpose of today’s workshop: To explore how we can we best collaborate…

OUR SHARED VISION-EPA & Sustainable Skylines Grant

• Identify cost-effective strategies to advance programming and polices, especially for:

Stationary & Area Sources

Energy &

Climate

Diesel

Engines

Green Building & Developme

nt

Off-Road

Sources

Land Use & Trans.

Strategies

OUR SHARED VISION-Outcomes of the Newmarket eco-industrial zone

Develop strategy and implement feasibility studies that:

• Achieve immediate cost savings for businesses

• Increase business innovation and access to new market opportunities

• Leverage federal, state, local, utility and business resources

• Mitigate regulatory risk

• Engage community members

Newmarket Eco-industrial Strategy Development

WS 2: Resource Providers & Policy-

makers

WS 1: Council of Champions

WS 3: All Stakeholders

WS 4: All Stakeholders

1. Short-medium term Newmarket solutions, 2. Online wiki & long-term eco-industrial

strategy, 3. Project implementation,4. Additional resources

Interviews & Outreach

WS 3: Businesses present needs to policymakers and resource providers• ID potential projects• discuss strategy options

WS 4: Present final strategy and project proposals• secure consensus and commitments

WS 1 & 2: Review business drivers and potential resources • establish goals & expectations• brainstorm issues & options• determine next steps

Planning: Interview business leaders to discuss business drivers and challenges• Form Council of Champions• Form Policy-committee members

Outcomes: Newmarket eco-industrial zone

http://newmarket.wikidot.com/

• Small businesses report that “the most significant challenge they face is the financial impact of rising energy costs”

• Approximately a third of businesses indicated some interest in energy efficiency and/or waste management trainings

Source: UMass Donahue Institute, 2008

WHY NEWMARKET-Mitigate risings costs of energy and waste management

WHY NEWMARKET-Energy Use

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Food wholesale

Corrections

Industrial/storage/distribution

Food and other retail stores

City governnment

Commercial buildings(incl.hotels)

Health & laundry

WHY NEWMARKET-Waste Production

• Initial analyses indicate Newmarket generates 27,000 tons of organic waste per year

• This is enough feedstock to support an anaerobic digester in the district.Source: Carver, L. et al. (2009). “Wind & Waste.”

WHY NEWMARKET-Improve air quality and transportation options

• High volume of wholesale/distribution trucks making deliveries/pick-ups– Over 100 diesel trucks garaged in

Newmarket in 2009

• High auto commuter rates for business employees– Employer assistance for commuting

options is infrequent, especially as many businesses begin their shifts before public transportation is operational.

WHY NEWMARKET-Solar Potential

• Exception– 170 kW array on the

South Bay Stop & Shop

•Many large roofs, but few solar or other renewable energy installations

South Bay Stop & Shop

FEASIBILITY STUDIES- Energy Efficiency?

Objective: increase energy efficiency and operational cost savings for businesses in the district

Approach: assist utilities in expediting EE assessment intake process by aggregating and expanding outreach to small commercial and industrial customers in Newmarket

Results: achieve significant operational cost savings (1-3 year payback); lower energy-related GHG emissions from the district

FEASIBILITY STUDIES- Pilot EV infrastructure for Newmarket vehicles?Objective: encourage transition from diesel to low-emission EV vehicles for Newmarket businesses

Approach: pilot installation of EV charging stations in parking garages, general use lots, and loading areas; couple with grant programs to encourage EV trucking/vehicle purchases

Results: reduce energy use and improve air quality in Newmarket; improve environmental image of companies

FEASIBILITY STUDIES- District-scale/Community Renewables?

Objective: encourage businesses to transition to renewable energy sources; drive down costs of RE installations through economies of scale

Approach: pilot a community financed renewable installation or aggregate renewable installations to achieve economies of scale

Results: reduce operational energy costs and/or provide long-term energy hedge; improve environmental image of companies

NEXT STEPS

What are the best opportunities?

What funding and resources do we collectively bring to the table?

How should we prioritize opportunities?