Overview
Since first receiving Green Community designation in 2010, Williamstown has participated in the state program that provides guidance and funding to help municipalities reduce energy use. The designation reflects the Town’s commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship. This work is supported by local initiatives such as the COOL Committee, climate action planning efforts, and green building projects.
Take Action
Green Williamstown shares practical steps you can take to prepare for a changing climate and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Click the links below to get started.
Green Your Home and Business
Use Green Transportation
- Drive Less/Walk More
- Ride an E-Bike
- Drive an electric vehicle
More Actions
Town Programs and Community Organizations
- Bee Friendly Williamstown promotes the preservation and expansion of habitat for insect pollinators in recognition of their essential role in the health of our planet’s ecosystems.
- Climate Action Plan guides town efforts to achieve net zero emissions. In May 2024, Williamstown’s Net Zero Task Force, an initiative of the COOL Committee, adopted the plan. The document includes plans for the residential, municipal, and institutional/commercial sectors.
- COOL Committee is a climate action committee that promotes sustainable living practices and inspires community engagement, prompts individual action, and promotes exchange of ideas and practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Green Williamstown is an initiative of the COOL Committee. Go there to learn how you can take action and report progress you’ve already made to move Williamstown toward net zero.
- Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA) is a citizens’ group that looks after the river.
- Right to Farm Bylaw legally prioritizes and protects Williamstown’s agricultural heritage by balancing farming needs with development pressures.
- The Transfer Station is a place to take your trash, recyclables, and compost. Residents with a Transfer Station Permit may drop off recyclables and food waste at no additional cost, including fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat, and bones.
- Williamstown’s Community Choice Power Supply program provides a greener electricity supply for residents and businesses and an option to “opt-up” to 100% green electricity for a cost of less than 2 cents kWh!
- Williamstown Net Zero Fire Station completed in 2026 is the first municipal building project since Williamstown’s Town Meeting endorsed the goal of becoming a carbon-neutral community. The station is designed to achieve net carbon-zero certification from the International Future Living Institute. Except for a mandated emergency backup system, all power will be produced by solar panels on site.
- Williamstown Rural Lands is a private, non-profit, member-supported land trust that conserves and promotes the natural habitats and working lands of the northern Berkshires.
- Williamstown’s Solar Field went live in November 2017. The energy credits generated by the site pay for power to municipal buildings, the town’s fire district, streetlights, and the Mount Greylock Regional School District. You can see lifetime and daily energy production of the solar array, information about environmental impact, and more details on SolrenView’s website.