Environment

Marblehead Light Department awarded $1.3M resiliency grant
06 Jan

Marblehead Light Department awarded $1.3M resiliency grant

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Local News
The Marblehead Municipal Light Department has been awarded $1,328,253 to fortify its 23-kilovolt sub-transmission lines that deliver power to Marblehead from National Grid’s Railyard substation in Salem. The grant, which is funded under the federal 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will facilitate the conversion of several wooden utility poles to steel poles and enable MMLD to underground key sections of vulnerable supply line. MMLD General Manager Jon Blair said this work is critical. “As a transmission-dependent utility, MMLD relies on twin supply lines to deliver power…
Read More
Turning the page to 2026: Resolutions from across Marblehead
01 Jan

Turning the page to 2026: Resolutions from across Marblehead

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Art, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Food, Linda Bassett, Marblehead Public Schools, Public safety, Top Stories
The holiday celebrations may be over, but the spirit of renewal is just beginning in Marblehead. As 2026 unfolds, the Current spoke with town leaders, educators, artists and community members about the resolutions guiding their work, families and passions in the year ahead. Here’s a sampling of responses we received. Cynda Rohmer, Marblehead Arts Festival presidentDo you have any resolutions related to the Arts Festival? Stay organized! Advertise and talk up the new events in 2026.  How about for yourself? Get back to the gym…
Read More
SUSTAINABLE MARBLEHEAD: Energy Coach Program helps cut costs, emissions
26 Dec

SUSTAINABLE MARBLEHEAD: Energy Coach Program helps cut costs, emissions

Leigh BlanderColumns, Environment
Does this sound familiar? You want to pursue something new, start down a path, but then become overwhelmed at the amount of knowledge to take in, only to give up in confusion and discouragement? Many of us can relate to this scenario. That’s one reason Sustainable Marblehead has decided to launch an Energy Coach Program, a free, community-based initiative designed to help residents reduce energy costs, improve home comfort and take meaningful steps toward a clean energy future. The program connects Marblehead residents with technically…
Read More
A pole, a plan and a push for EV access in Marblehead
17 Dec

A pole, a plan and a push for EV access in Marblehead

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories
By Leigh Blander This utility pole on Franklin Street could be the site for one of Marblehead’s first on-street EV charging stations. Seen here, from left, Sue Pace with Leidos, Marblehead Sustainability Coordinator Logan Casey and Light Department Energy Project Manager Michael Hull. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER On a blustery Friday morning, Marblehead Sustainability Coordinator Logan Casey stood bundled up near a utility pole outside 10 Franklin St. The pole is a possible location for one of the town’s first on-street electric vehicle charging…
Read More
GOING GREEN: Efficiency coaches help Headers save money — and the environment
03 Dec

GOING GREEN: Efficiency coaches help Headers save money — and the environment

Saoirse StallingsEnvironment, Local News
More homeowners are exploring sustainable heating and cooling systems and electric appliances — but figuring out where to begin can feel overwhelming. Efficiency coach Lisa Wolf (left) helped Amy Berenson discover new heating solutions for her Marblehead home this winter. CURRENT PHOTO / LUCA TEDESCO That’s where Sustainable Marblehead’s new energy-coaching program comes in. The nonprofit launched the initiative to help residents shrink their carbon footprints by offering in-home guidance on everything from solar panels and battery storage to heat pumps, weatherization, electric vehicles and…
Read More
Marblehead Light GM: Lithium-ion battery storage could save ratepayers $500K a year
25 Nov

Marblehead Light GM: Lithium-ion battery storage could save ratepayers $500K a year

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Top Stories
The Marblehead Municipal Light Department is considering a project that could save ratepayers about $500,000 a year and provide “short-term resiliency for the community,” according to MMLD General Manager Jon Blair. At a Nov. 24 meeting, Blair said the department is negotiating with LightShift Energy to build a five-megawatt, lithium-ion battery storage system at the Village 13 substation along the Rail Trail. Addressing concerns that lithium-ion batteries can overheat and cause fires, Blair told the Current, “There is an inherent risk, but one we can…
Read More
News in brief: Nov. 24
24 Nov

News in brief: Nov. 24

Saoirse StallingsEnvironment, Local News, Politics, Public safety
The Current welcomes 150–200-word submissions to News in Brief. Send yours to info@marbleheadnews.org. Moulton unveils legislation to prevent war with Venezuela On Nov. 21, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., joined by Reps. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass.; Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa.; Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif.; and Eugene Vindman, D-Va., announced new legislation called the No Unauthorized Force in Venezuela Act during a press conference on the House steps in Washington, D.C. The bill prohibits the executive branch from spending federal funds on any military action inside Venezuela or against…
Read More
Town Planner resigns, Select Board considers plan to cut energy use
20 Nov

Town Planner resigns, Select Board considers plan to cut energy use

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories
Town Planner Alex Eitler has resigned effective Dec. 12. Eitler has been on the job for a little more than a year. He plans to move to Australia, according to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer. Marblehead Town Planner Alex Eitler is resigning effective Dec. 12. CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS At a Nov. 20 Select Board meeting, Kezer announced that the planner position would be posted soon. Member Jim Zisson asked whether the town might want to pause on new hires until more is known about…
Read More
Take a spin in e-mini bus at the COA
13 Nov

Take a spin in e-mini bus at the COA

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Local News
Join the Marblehead Council on Aging and the Community Development and Planning Department to take a ride in the Damara E-Jest Mini Bus. Climb aboard for a public test drive and get an up-close look at this all-electric mini bus. Meet in the parking lot Nov. 18, at noon, at the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St.
Read More
Light Department ahead of schedule for net-zero goal; weighing battery project
05 Nov

Light Department ahead of schedule for net-zero goal; weighing battery project

Saoirse StallingsEnvironment, Local News
The Marblehead Municipal Light Department reached an impressive milestone recently — 73% of its power now comes from carbon-free sources. MMLD hit that benchmark three years ahead of schedule.  “We’ve progressively worked toward improving our carbon footprint as we aim for ambitious targets in Marblehead,” MMLD General Manager Jon Blair told the Current. “Our load continues to grow, and our power resources are continually dropping out of our portfolio as assets reach end of useful life or contracts expire. Therefore, it requires us to remain…
Read More
© 2026 Marblehead News Group, Inc. All Right Reserved.