The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources recently recognized the city for its energy reductions, largely due to the conscious efforts of city departments under the leadership of the Office of Energy and Environment.

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources recently awarded the City of Medford with a certificate in recognition of having reduced municipal energy use by 20 percent between 2009 and June 2016.

Much of the reductions in municipal energy consumption during that time period can be attributed to Medford having joined the Massachusetts Green Communities Designation and Grant Program in 2010, which has allowed the city to implement a number of energy efficient projects in different municipal facilities through state grant funding.

Projects include converting the heating system at the Chevalier Theater from oil to gas, installing high-efficiency hot water heaters at Medford High School, upgrading lighting inside and outside of Medford Public School buildings and upgrading the heating systems of fire stations citywide.

“Most of our reduction has been in our buildings,” said Alicia Hunt, director of Energy and Environment.

But another big factor has been a culture change across city departments toward a greener state of mind, Hunt added.

“A lot of it is attributable to how buildings are being managed,” she said. “People are being conscientious about where we have energy controls, setting them and using them, and where we don’t, being thoughtful about turning off lights and turning things down.”

Though part of Hunt’s job is to reach out to city departments and keep track of municipal energy consumption, she stressed that her role is not to tell employees to reduce energy use, but to ask them about how they manage their facilities and how her office can help them meet the city’s sustainability goals.

“By having those conversations, people think about how they’re using their energy,” she said. “I don’t ever say, ‘You need to manage your building differently,’ but I talk to them about how [they] manage their building … That frequently motivates someone to pay more attention.”

For example, Hunt said she recently spoke to the Police Department about new vehicles purchased for the department’s detectives that are more energy efficient than the old vehicles being replaced. The same consideration is applied to vehicles purchased at other departments, Hunt said.

Though the city officially became a “Green Community” in June 2010, this is the first time that Medford is being recognized for having reduced municipal energy consumption by 20 percent since its baseline year of 2009, which is a requirement of all Green Communities.

“I am pleased that the city of Medford remains a leader throughout the Commonwealth in protecting our environment by using resources more efficiently, educating our community and developing renewable and sustainable energy projects,” Mayor Stephanie M. Burke said of the certificate of recognition.

Hunt stressed that the recognition does not take into account energy consumption in residential or commercial buildings. In particular, the energy consumption of new residential facilities built within the last few years with four or fewer units has decreased, she said, because Medford recently implemented the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code, a more stringent version of the minimum state standards for energy efficiency.

“That’s part of this Green Communities program. That doesn’t contribute to this 20 percent reduction, but it is something we monitor,” Hunt said. “Every developer is held to it [for] every new building before they get an occupancy permit.”

Going forward, Hunt anticipates that the energy reductions for fiscal year 2017 will be more significant than reductions from 2016, especially because the city undertook LED light conversions in multiple facilities citywide over the last year.

“We’re always looking at more projects to do and what makes sense to do,” Hunt said. “I’m in the process of arranging for a detailed energy audit of Medford High School to inform future projects at the High School, and National Grid is partnering with us on that.”

Hunt is also involved in the committees for the construction of a new police station and library to ensure that both of those buildings will be as energy efficient as is practical for their uses.

Judith Judson, the commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, said her office under Governor Charlie Baker is committed to working with municipalities to reduce energy costs, usage and emissions.

“Medford’s impressive accomplishment is a testament to the foresight of their citizens and local leaders, and we look forward to continuing to work with the city to build upon their clean energy progress,” Judson said.

Hunt emphasized that the recognition was made possible by diligent work citywide.

“I think … the bottom line is, all the departments in Medford are paying attention to what they’re doing and how they’re doing it,” she said.