Gearing Up For Summer

June | 2024

Welcome to MassCEC’s June newsletter. We’re gearing up for an action-packed summer of events and exciting announcements. But first, we have news to share about offshore wind workforce grants, a big federal award for electric school buses, a new energy loan program for homeowners, and more!

Building the Commonwealth's Offshore Wind Workforce

We recently announced over $3.5 million in grants for offshore wind workforce infrastructure, recruitment, and training in Massachusetts. Seven organizations will use this funding to advance the preparedness and capabilities of Massachusetts’ growing offshore wind workforce. 

 “Our neighbors, friends, and family members will be the workers that power this new industry, and we’re committed to making sure they have the tools and resources they need to embark on fulfilling careers,” said Governor Maura Healey in a statement celebrating the announcement.  Explore how these colleges and universities, businesses, labor unions, and nonprofits are building the equitable offshore wind workforce we need to meet our climate goals. 

MA Wins $42M for Clean School Buses

Masachusetts is celebrating a $42 million award from the U.S. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program. These funds will enable 17 Massachusetts school districts to replace fossil-fueled school buses with cleaner electric models.  "This is another major clean energy win for Massachusetts, and it’s one that will benefit students and neighborhoods for years to come,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Dr. Emily Reichert.

“MassCEC’s clean transportation program has supported two-thirds of the electric school buses in Massachusetts, and these funds from the Biden-Harris Administration will bring the Commonwealth one step closer to electrifying school bus fleets in all of our communities.” Massachusetts has also supported municipal school bus fleet conversions through MassCEC. We’ve helped municipalities across the state, including several selected for awards in this funding cycle, through grant assistance and technical assistance via the Fleet Advisory Program, the Fleet Deployment Program, and the ACTNow Program, as well as guidance through ACT School Bus Open Office Hours.

Emily Reichert Appears on @Issue

MassCEC CEO Emily Reichert joined Northeast Clean Energy Council President Joe Curtatone on NBC Boston’s @Issue to talk all things climatetech with host Matt Prichard. Click below to watch.

ClimaTech Conference

MassCEC was proud to showcase Massachusetts' climatetech leadership at the inaugural ClimaTech conference last week! Our CEO Emily Reichert, Governor Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper, Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao, and Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer all spoke at the event. MassCEC also sponsored a $10,000 prize for Climatech's Great Global Innovation Challenge startup pitch competition, awarded to Boston-based AeroShield Materials, who are developing affordable insulation technology for windows.

What is Climatetech?

Wondering how to define climatetech? We’ve got you covered.  

Climatetech encompasses innovative technologies that mitigate the impacts of climate change, help communities adapt, and build resilience in systems and infrastructure. Learn more below about two Massachusetts climatetech companies that are working to decarbonize energy-intensive industries:

• Sublime Systems: Low-Carbon Cement Applied at Boston Office Building
• Boston Metal: Making steel with electricity

Climate Bank Launches First Program

Massachusetts has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, and 60 percent of building emissions come from single family and small multi-family homes.  

Massachusetts Community Climate Bank’s new Energy Saver Home Loan Program is designed to make it easier for low- and moderate-income homeowners to finance clean energy home improvements that cut energy usage and carbon emissions. 

Celebrating Pride!

Happy Pride Month from MassCEC! Massachusetts’ clean energy and climatetech sector wouldn’t be as strong as it is today without the extraordinary contributions of LGBTQ climate leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers.

Thank you for reading! Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X to stay up to speed about the latest updates.  

Wondering how you can help? Forward this newsletter to a friend, family member, or neighbor. Learn more about Governor Healey’s climatetech initiative. And explore ways you can join the clean energy transformation at CleanEnergyLivesHere.com or MassCEC.com. 

We're happy to share some recent MassCEC press coverage:

• Cape Cod Times detailed how a grant from our Offshore Wind Works Program will help Massachusetts Maritime Academy strengthen its offshore wind safety training by building a helicopter underwater training unit (HUET) in its Olympic-sized pool. 
• Ben Downing of The Engine Accelerator and Michael Kearney of Engine Ventures wrote in the Boston Business Journal about how Governor Healey’s climatetech initiative would help Massachusetts secure its clean energy and climate leadership.
• Cape Cod Times covered how a MassCEC grant is funding Cape Light Compact’s e-bike rebate program for income-eligible residents of Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.
• Rahul Yarala, executive director of the MassCEC Wind Turbine Testing Center, spoke with Daily Energy Insider about recent upgrades to our Charlestown facility.
• Sarah Cullinan, senior director of MassCEC’s Net Zero Grid Program, was featured in MassLive’s story about how battery storage is poised to transform New England’s power grid.
• Fall River Reporter detailed the Commonwealth’s $42 million EPA award for electric school buses and MassCEC’s work to electrify school fleets across Massachusetts.
• ABC News covered Massachusetts’ effort to become the climate innovation lab for the world and mentioned how Governor Healey’s climatetech initiative would supercharge MassCEC.
• Energy News Network detailed how a $156M federal grant will energize solar programs for low-income residents. MassCEC will be the lead implentater of the Commonwealth’s Solar for All program.
• The Trucker reported on the expansion of MassCEC and CALSTART’s Mass Fleet Advisor Program, designed to help organizations electrify medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

Requests for Proposals

Are you looking for ways to use your professional expertise in the clean energy and climatetech sector? See our featured RFPs below:   

Building Performance Exchange | $6,000,000

Applications Due July 10

Organizations with well-established relationships with the Massachusetts building professional community are encouraged to apply for this consulting role, which will involve educational resources training, peer to peer interaction, and targeted research.

Developing a Grid Services & DERs Compensation Method | $350,000

Applications Due June 26

Consultants and professionals are sought to create a Massachusetts specific, statewide compensation mechanism for DERs providing services to the distribution grid. 

Massachusetts Climatetech Studio | $15,000 +

Applications Due June 24

Aspiring entrepreneurs are welcome to apply to The Climatetech Studio cohort, which matches teams of entrepreneurs with cutting-edge technologies from federal and university labs during an intensive 16-week program. Each participant receives a $15,000 stipend and has the chance to win further prize money and grant funding.

Request for Interest: Partnerships and Participation in Ocean Renewable Energy Innovation Center

Applications Due June 12

Organizations interested in active participation in the ORE Innovation Center are sought to better understand how the center might support the goals, functions, and needs of such entities, and what expertise, capabilities, and ventures such entities might bring to the center.

See more RFP listings on our website.

We're Hiring! Join the MassCEC Team!

 MassCEC provides a challenging, progressive and supportive environment that encourages and promotes employee development. Our exciting, fast-paced culture is fueled by creative ideas, innovative thinking and unparalleled commitment of our employees. Current open positions include:  

Managing Director of Emerging Climatetech

Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Deputy General Counsel

Senior Program Manager – Adult Training & Upskilling

Program Manager – Research and Program Assessment Support

Program Manager – School Decarbonization

Payroll and Benefits Manager

Press Secretary

Please visit our Careers page for more listings.

Looking for clean energy jobs at other organizations? 

Clean energy employers from across the state regularly post non-internship positions on our Jobs Board and are looking for candidates just like you to fill these crucial roles. 

Go to Clean Energy Jobs Board