Ann Berwick, Co-Director of Climate and Sustainability

Ann served in the administration of former Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, first as Undersecretary for Energy and then as Chair of the Department of Public Utilities. Prior to serving in the Patrick Administration, she worked as a senior environmental consultant at M.J. Bradley & Associates, served as Chief of the Environmental Protection Division in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and, was a partner in the litigation department of the Boston law firm of Goulston & Storrs. Ann served six years on the Newton School Committee including two as chair.

Bill Ferguson, Co-Director of Climate and Sustainability

Bill worked for 30 years for the State of Rhode Island in the Governor’s Energy Office, where he served as Deputy Director, and in the RI Dept of Administration where he served as Associate Director of Central Services in charge of State buildings, State fleet, and the State Energy Office.  

Bill subsequently worked as a Manager of Energy Efficiency Programs at RISE Engineering and Executive Director of The Energy Council of RI.

For the City of Newton, Bill’s  responsibilities include  the City’s participation in the Green Communities program, solar and energy efficiency projects in City buildings and schools, and assisting in the writing and implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan.

Citizens Commission on Energy

The Newton Citizens Commission on Energy (NCCE) meets monthly, and addresses the actions Newton must take to meet the goals of the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report, which requires the elimination of most green house gas emissions by 2050. The NCCE prepared the 2019 Citizens Action Plan (CCAP) presented to Mayor Fuller in May 2019 and to the City Council in August 2019. 

• Final CCAP - Aug 14-1.1 (PDF)
• Aug 26-CC presentation (PDF)

Newton EV Task Force

The Newton EV Task Force is a team of volunteers co-chaired by Philip Vergragt and Leslie Zebrowitz. Our mission is to take actions that will encourage Newton residents to switch to all-electric driving and to further reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by signing up for 100% renewable through Newton Power Choice.

HeatSmart Newton

HeatSmart Newton is helping to educate our residents about clean, efficient, heat pump technology for heating, cooling, and hot water.   We are a community-based, volunteer-led initiative funded by a state grant to help residents adopt clean heating and cooling technology for the home.

Newton Energy Coach

Newton Energy Coach is a team of volunteer experts in several areas related to climate changes, energy efficiency of buildings, non-fossil fuels residential technologies, electric vehicles, municipal electricity aggregation, solar panels, and others. These experts are available, by appointment, to personally answer questions and provide consultation for Newton residents. Appointments with Energy coaches can be made here. The website also provides answers to many typical questions that residents often have.  

Green Newton

Since 1990, Green Newton has worked to create sustainable solutions to environmental problems in Newton and beyond.

Newton Power Choice

Newton Power Choice is an electricity program from the City of Newton for Newton residents and businesses. Through Newton Power Choice, residents and business in Newton are buying renewable electricity to match 62% of their electricity use, which is the highest amount of any community electricity aggregation program in Massachusetts.

Contact Us

Ann G. Berwick

Co-Director of Sustainability

City of Newton

Phone: 617-417-5366

Email: ABerwick@newtonma.gov

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William Ferguson

Co-Director of Sustainability

City of Newton

Phone: 617-796-1606

Email: WFerguson@newtonma.gov

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Liora Silkes

Energy Coach

City of Newton

Phone:781-808-7152

Email: LSilkes@newtonma.gov