Sustainability

Needham is committed to being a sustainable and resilient community for all residents. Working with town departments, committees, boards, residents, non-profit partners, and businesses, Needham's Sustainability Manager is responsible for developing and implementing programs, policies and initiatives to achieve the Town’s sustainability goals.  Sustainability is a team effort. Let’s work together to create a sustainable Needham.  

Policies

Town of Needham Buy Recycled Purchase Policy

Town of Needham Electric Vehicle Charging Policy

Town of Needham Zero-Emission First Vehicle Policy

What’s New? 

Tree Planting Grant Award from Cooling Corridors Program

In October 2025, the Town of Needham was awarded a $92,000 grant from the state Cooling Corridors Grant Program which will be used to plant and water 46 new trees along several of Needham’s Safe Routes to Schools sidewalks within identified hotspots around town. The primary focus of the Cooling Corridors grant program is to support tree planting and related activities that assist with mitigating extreme heat and enhancing tree canopy within neighborhoods and public spaces. This is the first grant award for the Town from this state program. Tree planting and watering for this award will take place through June 2027. 

Eversource Winter Heat Pump Electric Delivery Rates 

Eversource has a new winter heat pump electric delivery rate (November-April) for residents that have homes fully or partially heated with heat pumps. Please note that this change does not affect the supply rate portion of your electric bill. Whether you are participating in Needham Power Choice supply rates, using Eversource supply rates, or using a private electricity supply contract, these supply rates will remain unchanged. The new heat pump rate applies only to the delivery rate portion of your electric bill.

If you received a Mass Save rebate for a heat pump you installed after Jan. 1, 2019, Eversource should have automatically enrolled you in this rate beginning Nov. 1, 2025. If you were automatically enrolled, you should have received an email from Eversource during the month of October. You should see the new winter heat pump electric delivery rate reflected on your December electric bill. If you did not receive an email from Eversource during the month of October or if you installed your heat pump prior to Jan. 1, 2019, you need to apply for the heat pump rate and submit documentation to Eversource via their website.

Green Communities Competitive Grant Award

In August 2025, the Town of Needham was awarded a $180,702 grant from the state Green Communities program which will be used to fund LED lighting upgrades at Broadmeadow Elementary School and the installation of attic insulation at the Mitchell Elementary School. Since the Town received its designation as a Green Community in 2020, this is the second time the Town has received a Competitive Grant from this program.

Eversource Updates 6-Month Electricity Prices

On August 1, 2025, Eversource's Basic Service prices changed to new 6-month prices, and Needham Power Choice prices are competitive in comparison. A reminder that Needham Power Choice cannot guarantee future savings compared with Eversource's Basic Service price as Eversource's prices change every 6 months. Needham Power Choice prices are set for two years. To enroll, change your program option, opt out, or get additional program information, please visit the program website at NeedhamPowerChoice.com or call customer support with the Town’s program consultants at 1-844-379-2171.

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Planning Assistance Grant

In April 2025, the Town of Needham was awarded a grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Planning Assistance Grant program. The grant award ($45,000) will provide funding for consulting services to support the development of a Low Impact Development (LID) parking requirements review which will help reduce impervious cover and stormwater runoff, helping to support climate resiliency in Needham.

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Drought Resiliency & Water Efficiency Grant 

In a collaboration between the Town’s Sustainability and Parks and Forestry Division, in March 2025 the Town of Needham was recently awarded a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Drought Resiliency and Water Efficiency Grant Program. The grant award ($14,545.28) will upgrade Memorial Field’s irrigation system with high-efficiency irrigation equipment to reduce outdoor water usage at the playing field. The primary objective for the project is to replace current equipment with low-flow nozzles to reduce water usage, replace leaking equipment to minimize water loss, and reset rotor placement to above grade to ensure that watering at the field occurs as effectively as possible to minimize water usage. 

MAPC TAP Solar Parking Lot Solar Canopy Resource Guide Grant Award

In March 2025, the Town of Needham was awarded an MAPC Technical Assistance Program (TAP) grant award. The Town will work with MAPC staff to support the development of a Municipal Parking Lot Solar Canopy Resource Guide which will include an assessment of the Town's municipal parking lots to determine their viability for solar canopies. The Town's proposal was one of thirty-one municipal and regional projects selected for this funding round.

Flood Preparedness and Solutions Workshop

Concerned about extreme weather and flooding in Needham? In collaboration with the Town, Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) and the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) will host a workshop on Monday, March 31, 2025 from 3-4:30 pm at the Center at the Heights. Come learn how flooding impacts Needham and steps you can take at home to prepare yourself for extreme weather events. Refreshments will be provided!

Needham Power Choice to provide two years of stable electricity supply prices starting in March 2025

The Town of Needham is pleased to announce the launch of Needham Power Choice, a new group electricity buying program from the Town which will be available for both residential and commercial customers. The Town has signed a contract that will provide two years of stable electricity prices and cleaner electricity to program participants. Needham Power Choice received state regulatory approval in August 2024 and will launch in March 2025. For program information and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the new program website at NeedhamPowerChoice.com or call customer support with the Town’s program consultants at 1-844-379-2171. Click here to read the press release for the program launch. Click here to review the PowerPoint slides from the public information sessions in January. 

Green Communities Competitive Grant Award

In August 2024, the Town of Needham was awarded a $162,848 grant from the state Green Communities program which will be used to fund LED lighting upgrades at Eliot Elementary School and the installation of heat pump hot water heaters at Town Hall and the DPW Garage. Since the Town received its designation as a Green Community in 2020, it’s the first time it has received a Competitive Grant from this program.

Alder Brook Stormwater and Climate Resiliency Grant Award

In August 2024, the Town of Needham was awarded a $125,425 grant by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grant program for its project proposal to advance stormwater management along Alder Brook. The Town's proposal was one of six projects selected for this grant program this year. The project will capture and treat stormwater before reaching the waterbody via the installation of a bioretention basin. This project will improve water quality in the Alder Brook watershed, support stormwater management, reduce flooding, and enhance climate resiliency in Needham. More information will be shared with residents about the project in the coming months once the project launches. 

Municipal Building Decarbonization Roadmaps

In May 2024, the Town of Needham was awarded a Municipal Decarbonization Planning Assistance Grant by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. The grant will fund the consulting services for the Town to develop decarbonization roadmaps. The roadmaps will focus on eliminating the use of onsite fossil fuels by municipal buildings by 2050.

Opt-In Specialized Stretch Energy Code

The Opt-In Specialized Stretch Energy Code, which incentivizes new construction to be zero emissions, went into effect in Needham on July 1, 2024.  

Sustainable Needham: Climate Action Roadmap 

In June 2024, the Town finalized Sustainable Needham, Needham's first-ever Climate Action Roadmap, that will serve as a strategic plan to achieve a more sustainable future in Needham.