Mass Clean Energy Center Invests $2.9 Million to Expand Clean Energy Access in Local Communities

Mass Clean Energy Center Invests $2.9 Million to Expand Clean Energy Access in Local Communities

Funding supports 35 community-led projects that reduce costs, improve public health, and connect residents to clean energy opportunities

BOSTON – The Mass Clean Energy Center today announced more than $2.9 million in awards through the EmPower Massachusetts program to support community-driven projects that break down barriers to clean energy adoption and reduce energy costs for residents across the state. The funding will support innovative projects that connect historically underserved populations with the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy.

“Some of the most impactful work happens at the local level, where community organizations understand the challenges families face in accessing affordable heat pumps, solar, storage, and clean appliances,” said Ben Downing, Mass Clean Energy Center CEO. “Mass Clean Energy Center is committed to finding those ideas, investing in them, and helping bring them to life. These funds support organizations that are building community trust, creating new pathways to clean energy adoption, and demonstrating innovative approaches that can be replicated across Massachusetts.”

Low-income households often spend a disproportionately large share of their income on energy costs, while renters, non-English-speaking households, and communities of color consistently face barriers to accessing energy efficiency programs. Since 2022, EmPower Massachusetts has addressed these challenges by supporting 207 organizations in developing and delivering solutions that expand access to clean energy benefits throughout the state.

The program offers two tracks of funding: Implementation grants, which support organizations in carrying out community-based programs and projects that increase access to clean energy benefits and reduce energy burden; and Innovation and Capacity Building grants, which provide seed funding for organizations to explore new program models and build long-term organizational capacity.

The EmPower Massachusetts Implementation awardees are:

• Applied Economics Clinic, Inc. ($50,000): Funding will be used to provide technical assistance and expert support to Environmental Justice groups and community-based organizations working to expand clean energy access and reduce energy burdens.

• Art for Public Good LLC ($50,000): Funding will be used to expand a school-based education program that helps students and families understand clean energy, energy costs, and the impacts of fossil fuel use on health and communities. Teachers will gain a high-quality curriculum addressing energy literacy.

• Berkshire Regional Planning Commission ($50,000): Funding will be used to help rural residents access energy efficiency and electrification upgrades by bridging existing Community Development Block Grant programming and Mass Save energy-efficiency upgrades.

• Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Housing Innovations Corporation

• Healthy Air, Healthy Homes Initiative ($149,775): Funding will be used to replace gas stoves with induction stoves in a subset of Boston Housing Authority properties, educate residents, and explore the potential to scale across all properties.

• Shared Clean Energy Savings for Boston’s Public Housing Residents ($149,889): Funding will be used to explore battery energy storage at Boston Housing Authority properties and develop new ways to help residents receive direct benefits from on-site clean energy.

• Bright Saver ($146,306): Funding will be used to explore and demonstrate how plug-in solar systems can help low-income residents access clean energy, reduce energy costs, and improve resilience.

• Cape Ann Climate Coalition Inc. ($50,000): Funding will be used to expand an educator-focused campaign that helps teachers and school staff access information, resources, and support to adopt home energy efficiency and electrification solutions.

• City of Boston ($150,000): Funding will be used to expand Boston’s community-based, multilingual clean energy outreach efforts by supporting local organizations that connect residents with energy savings programs and resources.

• City of Easthampton ($25,000): Funding will be used to expand energy savings opportunities for low-income Easthampton residents by hiring a solar advocate to connect households with weatherization, electrification, and community solar programs.

• City of Everett ($150,000): Funding will be used to expand clean energy access in Everett by connecting residents and businesses with energy efficiency and electrification programs alongside housing support services.

• City of Watertown ($86,450): Funding will be used to help renters and lower-income households access clean, energy-efficient heat pumps through coaching, outreach, and financial support.

• Eastie Farm, Inc. ($149,775): Funding will be used to expand community education and outreach that helps East Boston residents understand and access clean energy programs and resources.

• Emerald Cities Collaborative, Inc. ($150,000): Funding will be used to connect residents with energy assistance programs and provide education on induction cooking technologies.

• La Colaborativa, Inc. ($144,704): Funding will be used to expand a Healthy Homes Initiative that helps vulnerable households access energy efficiency upgrades, utility assistance, and resources that improve health and housing conditions.

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation ($150,000): Funding will be used to help affordable housing owners evaluate and advance solar energy projects, identifying the best opportunities for installations.

• Metropolitan Area Planning Council ($150,000): Funding will be used to help low-income renters in MetroWest access energy-saving upgrades by providing personalized coaching, program navigation, and support working with building owners.

• My Path to Freedom Ministry ($50,000): Funding will be used to expand clean energy education and outreach for Environmental Justice and low- to moderate-income households in North Central Massachusetts.

• New Ecology, Inc. ($150,000): Funding will be used to support the creation of new affordable rental housing while improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings through green upgrades.

• Resonant Energy, LLC ($150,000): Funding will be used to provide technical assistance, staff support, and grant writing assistance to help nonprofits move solar projects toward implementation.

• Ridez ($150,000): Funding will be used to pilot clean transportation options in Fall River and New Bedford by providing residents with access to shared e-bikes and e-scooters.

• Solar United Neighbors, Inc. ($101,611): Funding will be used to train community leaders and nonprofit staff to become clean energy advocates who can help their communities participate in and benefit from the clean energy transition.

• T.R.U.E Diversity Inc. ($150,000): Funding will be used to launch a community energy hub on the South Coast that helps residents access clean energy programs, reduce energy costs, and build energy literacy.

• Town of Brookline ($50,000): Funding will be used to help renters improve home energy efficiency through weatherization tools, educational resources, and connections to clean energy programs.

The EmPower Massachusetts Innovation and Capacity Building awardees are:

• Applied Economics Clinic, Inc. ($25,000): Funding will be used to expand energy education and professional development opportunities and deliver them to CBOs across the Commonwealth.

• Black Swan Lab Incorporated ($24,960): Funding will be used to help communities explore the potential of thermal energy networks powered by wastewater energy recovery as a clean, affordable heating and cooling solution.

• City of New Bedford ($25,000): Funding will be used to assess and design a renter-focused window heat pump program that expands access to clean, efficient heating and cooling in Environmental Justice communities.

• EmpowerUS Inc. ($25,000): Funding will be used to advance community solar projects at churches in underserved communities, helping reduce energy costs, increase resilience, and expand access to clean energy benefits.

• Green Energy Consumers Alliance ($20,000): Funding will be used to explore ways to make clean heating and energy-saving technologies more accessible to low- and moderate-income households and renters.

• GreenRoots, Inc. ($50,000): Funding will be used to expand energy education and advocacy efforts for low-income, immigrant, and limited English proficiency residents in Chelsea and East Boston.

• Lexington Climate Action Network, Inc. ($48,000): Funding will be used to expand access to clean energy programs by providing culturally and linguistically tailored outreach and support for residents who face language barriers.

• Mass Spiritz Inc ($25,000): Funding will be used to engage clean energy ambassadors who can help make clean energy resources and incentives more accessible through culturally relevant storytelling and media.

• Metropolitan Area Planning Council ($25,000): Funding will be used to develop a roadmap for a community-owned retrofit cooperative that helps residents and building owners invest in clean energy upgrades.

• PowerOptions Inc. ($25,000): Funding will be used to assess opportunities for centralized electric vehicle charging and maintenance hubs across Cape Cod to support public fleet electrification.

• Sassafras Earth Education, Inc. ($50,000): Funding will be used to expand education programs that promote sustainable living, climate resilience, and reduced energy and environmental burdens.
• The Community Builders ($50,000): Funding will be used to design a clean energy financing model that helps affordable housing providers invest in upgrades that improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and building sustainability.

For more information on the EmPower program, visit masscec.com/program/empower-massachusetts.