Climate panel reelects Cataldo, weighs energy fee
Climate Change Committee · Meeting of September 24, 2026
Pepperell Climate Change Committee reelects Cataldo, hears warning on green power premiums. The committee unanimously reelected Bob Cataldo as chair and elected Mary Feeley as clerk, replacing Naomi Soden. Consultant Marlana Patton, who manages the town's Pepperell Community Electricity program, told members that buying extra Massachusetts Class 1 renewable certificates is increasingly failing to spur new regional renewable projects, citing federal permitting slowdowns; several towns, including Newton, Wayland and Canton, have already dropped their premium tiers.
"You're not going to get the benefit of paying that extra money," Patton said. Cataldo noted the board previously rejected a renewable "adder" fee, calling it "a new tax on them, which it is." Patton said 98 percent of participants remain on the basic tier; the committee also heard updates on a planned electric vehicle charging station, a community garden that donated over 1,000 pounds of produce, and zoning articles headed to Town Meeting.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,161 words
Source: the Climate Change Committee meeting of September 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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