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Happy Belated Earth Day! On April 22, communities across the world celebrated the 55th Earth Day with events, exhibits, commitments, and much more. This year’s global theme “Our Power, Our Planet” called for a push to triple renewable energy generation by 2030 in order to drive economic growth, create jobs, center equity, and improve the health of billions of people.
At MAPC, we are committed to the spirit of Earth Day year-round by advancing solutions across the region that equitably reduce greenhouse gas emissions, end dependence on fossil fuel consumption, and support communities in preparing for climate impacts. In this newsletter, we highlight one of the ways our team celebrated Earth Day and share an exciting update about our Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool, which helps communities measure and track their progress towards these GHG reduction goals.
We also highlight the official launch of our Accelerating Climate Resilience Grant application, an upcoming symposium on heat and health, and more!
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Celebrating Earth Day in Our Region
MAPC staff tabled at an Earth Day celebration at Frederick Douglass Park in Lynn, organized by Emerald Cities Collaborative and the Latino Support Network. The celebration featured community organizations working on public health, clean energy, and climate solutions and included resource sharing, performances, interactive activities such as spring planting, and more. MAPC staff shared information about and asked for input on the Community Heat Resilience Program, which is developing and implementing community-led heat solutions in Lynn (as well as in Salem and Somerville). MAPC also sought feedback on proposed strategies in the Greater Boston Climate Action Plan, which is charting a path for greenhouse gas reduction strategies across the region.
| Earth Day Celebration at Lynn's Frederick Douglass Park. Credit: Sasha Shyduroff, MAPC. | | | |
MAPC Launches Updated Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool
| | MAPC launched an updated version of its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Tool. The tool simplifies and streamlines the process for municipalities to assess their own GHG inventories. The update uses 2022 data, and offers a new data point for municipalities to assess emissions data as part of climate action and net zero action plans. Read our new blog post to learn more. | | | Fostering Collaborations: A Symposium to Advance Equitable Heat Health Actions | | |
On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, MAPC, in partnership with the Center for Climate and Health at Boston University School of Public Health is hosting a regional symposium titled "Fostering Collaborations: A Symposium to Advance Equitable Heat Health Actions." The symposium will support constructive dialogue across sectors. Ahead of the symposium, there are several upcoming virtual opportunities to shape the content:
Earlier this month, the organizers also hosted a session about the relationships between heat events and Emergency Department visits in the Greater Boston region, including a discussion on how this evidence can strengthen municipality's heat emergency response systems and contribute to research on developing health-informed heat thresholds in the region. Subscribe to the project newsletter for updates on the symposium.
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Massachusetts Community Climate Bank and Partners Launch Massachusetts Energy Savings Finder
| | The Massachusetts Community Climate Bank (MCCB), in partnership with Rewiring America, Abode Energy Management and a coalition of state government and energy efficiency program partners, launched the first-ever Massachusetts Energy Savings Finder. This tool makes it easier for homeowners and renters to access the resources they need to lower energy bills, improve efficiency, and make clean energy upgrades. Through the finder, residents can identify available clean energy incentives, rebates, and tax credits available across a broad range of clean energy improvement categories, including weatherization and energy efficiency, heating and cooling electrification, electrical upgrades associated with solar panels and electric vehicles, and efficient appliances. | | The Energy Transition and Neighborhood Electrification Conversation | | Join the Building Electrification Accelerator and the Multi-Town Gas Leaks Initiative on Tuesday, May 20 from 11 am-12 pm for a conversation, "The Energy Transition and Neighborhood Electrification." The event will feature speakers from HEET, local Newton residents advocating for electrification over gas pipeline replacement, and staff from Senator Cynthia Creem’s office. It will offer an overview of networked geothermal initiatives, a discussion of neighborhood electrification policy and advocacy, and a legislative update. Register. | | Free Online Course for Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure: Procurement Strategies Under 30B and Statewide Contracts | | The Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General is hosting free online courses on procurement strategies for Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure under 30B and Statewide Contracts. The courses will take place from 10-11:30 am on Thursday, May 15 and Tuesday, June 17. Learn more and register. | | Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive Event in Belmont | The Town of Belmont and Belmont Electric Light are hosting an Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive event on Saturday, May 10, from 11 am-3 pm at Chenery Upper Elementary School in Belmont. Attendees will have the opportunity to check out electric vehicles from four EV dealers, connect with community members showcasing their own EVs, and ask questions. Representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will also share information about current state and federal EV incentives. | | |
Now Open! Call for Proposals for the Accelerating Climate Resilience (ACR) Grant Program Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26)
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MAPC is currently accepting proposals for 15-month projects (up to $50,000) and for 21-month projects (up to $125,000) through Friday, May 30, 2025, at 5 pm. The ACR program helps municipalities and community partners in the Metro Boston region implement strategies that protect people, places, and communities from the impacts of climate change and advance climate equity, regional coordination, and social cohesion. In addition to the 101 cities and towns in the MAPC region, eligible lead applicants also include certain entities and/or organizations that work in and serve the people of the MAPC region, including local 501(c)(3) community-based organizations, tribes, and Indigenous communities. Community-based organizations without 501(c)(3) status are encouraged to partner with their municipality to submit an application.
Register
MAPC is hosting two upcoming virtual sessions for applicants to learn more about the opportunity before submitting prposals.
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Informational Webinar (open to all) | May 1, 2025, 3 pm | Register
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Grant Writing Workshop (for non-municipal applicants) | May 6, 2025, 12 pm | Register
Apply through the Online Proposal Submission Form. If you are unable to access or complete the online form, please contact Van Du for a fillable PDF version of the form
| | Ride Clean Mass Charging Hubs Program – Now Accepting Applications! | | Statewide E-Bike Voucher Program Applications Open | | In mid-April, MassCEC launched the Massachusetts Statewide Electric Vehicle Incentive Program. The e-bike incentive offers income-based vouchers of $800 to $1,200 for qualifying applicants to assist with the purchase of electric bicycles. There is also an additional voucher for safety gear and a bike bump. The program is designed to help low- and moderate-income residents' access clean and affordable transportation. The Massachusetts Statewide E‑bike Voucher Program is part of the state’s strategy to reduce growth in vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions in the Commonwealth. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with about 3,000 vouchers awarded through a random process monthly from April to September. Apply. | | Food Security Infrastructure Grants | | Applications to the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) program are open through Monday May 5, 2025, at 4 pm. FSIG seeks to strengthen the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' food system and build resilience within the food supply chain. Funds will support infrastructure projects that improve local food production and distribution, strengthen the middle of the food supply chain, expand food access and nutrition security, and support emergency preparedness. The grant provides awards from $10,000 to $1,000,000 to eligible Massachusetts agricultural and seafood producers, processors, and distributors. Municipalities, tribes, non-profits, and other food system entities are also able to apply. | | Solar Upgrading Nonprofits | | Resonant Energy is partnering with the Providers’ Council to support nonprofit service providers across Massachusetts as they explore solar as a means of reducing their operating costs and contributing to a clean environment for their constituents. The benefits of the program include no-cost solar feasibility and financial analysis, stipends to cover staff time spent exploring solar (up to $7,500, depending on portfolio size), and free grant writing assistance. Applications for the first phase will be accepted through Monday, June 30, 2025. Learn more. | | | | |
