Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 21, 2025 Malden Climate Action and Sustainability Commission outlines priorities for 2025-26 Mayor Christenson and City Council receive report that discusses FY26 focus on renewable energy, flood mitigation and data reporting By Steve Freker T he Malden Climate Action and Sustainability Commission (CASC) may have been formed just this calendar year, but it is more than apparent that the members have hit the ground running. Members of the Commission include Councillor-at-Large Carey McDonald, Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley, Amanda Treat, Diego Maldonado, Lipin Ji, Rachel Surette, Rebekah McPheeters, Ricky Ma, Robert Fitzpatrick and Ron Cochran. At Tuesday night’s Malden City Council meeting, the Councillors formally received a CASC report outlining a number of points, including goals for the remainder of this fiscal year (FY26) as well an outline of existing collaborations in which the group has entered. “We have a number of productive meetings and I encouraged [the CASC] to present this report so everyone knows the work that has been done and the goals moving forward,” said Councillor McDonald, who was instrumental in establishing the primary initiative which led to the establishment and formation of this group. “I want to commend the CASC for all of the members’ efforts and the progress they have made in just a short time,” said Ward 4’s O’Malley, who is also a member of the Commission. “I was very pleased to see the committee’s intention to address flood mitigation issues on the east side of the city,” Ward 6 Councillor Stephen Winslow said. “We are already working on this issue in our ward and we welcome any assistance or insight the CASC might provide.” “I am excited about the Clean Energy Coaches program and the strides that have been made so far. I look forward to the CASC continuing on this path,” Councillor McDonald said. Following is the text of the letter the CASC sent to Malden Mayor Gary Christenson and the City Council: “The Malden Climate Action and Sustainability Commission (CASC) is excited to present our strategic priorities for FY2026. Though we were officially formed in June of this year, we have quickly moved to implement key components of the city’s 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP). Our focus this fiscal year is on renewable energy, community engagement, flood mitigation, and data reporting. These are foundational areas critical to building a more sustainable and resilient Malden. We are thrilled to launch these initiatives and are confident they will deliver tangible, positive change for our community. “FY26 Near-Term Goals “Our top priorities for this fiscal year are centered on the following goals: • Renewable Energy: We’ll work to achieve SolSmart Silver or better designation by the end of the fiscal year. This designation will help streamline the city’s permitting process for solar panel installations, one of the foundational elements for achieving net-zero carbon emissions across the city. This is an exciting opportunity to make it easier for residents and businesses to go solar. “• Community Engagement: We’ll establish a Clean Energy Coaches program. We aim to develop and train a cohort of volunteer energy coaches to provide residents with free, peer-topeer guidance on transitioning to clean energy. To support this effort, we are looking to partner with local universities and business leaders. This program pairs well with the SolSmart designation effort and is a fantastic way to empower our community, providing equitable access to affordable renewable energy options for all residents, including funding programs like tax rebates and Mass Save incentives. “• Flood Mitigation: Our focus this year is to identify opportunities for flood mitigation. Malden has experienced multiple natural disasters throughout the years, with the majority of them involving flooding. The eastern parts of our city [are] particularly prone to severe flooding. Our goal is to work with city departments and local advocacy groups to identify potential solutions in highrisk areas. We are eager to lay the groundwork for this effort. “• Data Reporting and Strategy: We’ll update the city’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory. This effort is crucial for monitoring progress against the CAP’s targets and identifying key emission hotspots. By the end of the fiscal year, we’ll use this data to inform our near-term and long-term strategic planning for the next three to five years. We also plan to use this information to provide a transparent and data driven summary of our progress to the city. We believe transparent data will be a foundation tool in our execution of the CAP, supporting all of our focus areas. “Key Collaborations “To implement these priorities, we’ll collaborate closely with several key stakeholders: “• Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC): The MAPC is a crucial regional partner that will support us with technical experCarey McDonald Malden Councillor-at-Large tise, data, and regional collaboration efforts for our ongoing initiatives. “• Malden Inspectional Services Department: Their partnership is essential for the SolSmart designation process, requiring streamlining permitting and inspection procedures. “• Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD): The OSPCD will be a key partner for both the Clean Energy Coaches program and other community engagement efforts. “• Local Community Partners: These partners will be key in our public outreach efforts such as a Clean Energy Coaches program and can provide on-the-ground knowledge for flood mitigation. “• SolSmart: SolSmart provides free technical assistance in helping us achieve our designation, identifying opportunities for improvement in our permitting, zoning, and inspection process for solar installations. “• Mass Save: Collaborative of Massachusetts electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency service providers working to deliver energy-saving programs and incentives to residents and businesses. “• MassCEC: Quasi-public state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector across the Commonwealth.”
11 Publizr Home