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We hope everyone is having a relaxing summer! This month, we are featuring MAPC's recent work helping municipalities like Norwood and Somerville incorporate climate resilience and mitigation considerations into their zoning codes and other local regulations. These regulations play a key role in shaping existing and future development and by updating them through a climate resilience lens, communities can harness development to reduce flooding, expand tree cover, and make neighborhoods cooler, greener, and more livable.
This month's newsletter also highlights open energy manager roles; upcoming MAPC webinars about the Climate Resilience Playbook and solar + storage permitting and zoning; and a technical assistance opportunity for K-12 schools.
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Resilient Regulations in Norwood
MAPC recently partnered with the Town of Norwood to review and propose updates to the Town's Subdivision Rules and Regulations and Site Plan Review Regulations. The goal of the project was to ensure future development supports climate resiliency by reducing flood risks, protecting natural resources, improving air and water quality, and creating safer and more accessible streets for all. Employing a four-part process that involved understanding local priorities, reviewing best practices, conducting a technical review, and engaging with town department, MAPC developed recommendations for the Town. As more communities look to incorporate climate considerations into their local regulations, this project will offer important lessons.
| | | Webinar: Introducing the Climate Resilience Playbook | | Municipalities across the Commonwealth play a key role in helping their communities prepare for and respond to climate change impacts. MAPC, in partnership with the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program Team at EEA and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), is pleased to introduce the Climate Resilience Playbook - a new online resource to help advance the implementation of municipal and community-driven climate solutions. Join us on Wednesday, September 10 from 12-1 p.m. to learn more about the Playbook and opportunities to help expand this resource. Register for the webinar and take a sneak peek at the Playbook. This webinar is eligible for 1.0 AICP SR credit. | | Webinar: Training on Solar Storage Permitting and Zoning Co-Hosted by MAPC | | On Thursday, October 9 from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., MAPC and SolSmart are partnering to host a training on best practices for permitting and inspection of solar PV and battery energy storage systems. SolSmart is also hosting a training on Thursday, September 18 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on best practices in planning and zoning for solar PV and large-scale battery energy storage systems. These trainings will provide ICC and AICP CM credits respectively for attendees. Additionally, if you are interested in getting designated by SolSmart or upgrading your current designation, these trainings will contribute to your designation efforts. Sign up for the events. If you're interested in getting designated with SolSmart, reach out to the SolSmart team. Stay tuned for more information from MAPC in the coming months about the upcoming siting and permitting regulations and new/updated model bylaws | | |
State Council Publishes Second Assessment of EV Charging in Massachusetts
| | On August 11, the state's Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (EVICC) released its Second Assessment. The Second Assessment includes an analysis of EV charging in Massachusetts, estimates of EV charging needs and associated electric grid needs in 2030 and 2035, and recommendations. The assessment, which provides an update to the First Assessment published in August 2023, found that Massachusetts has almost 9,500 publicly accessible charging ports, with the majority being Level 2 charger ports, and that the state will need to triple the current pace of charging deployment to meet the CECP's 2030 goals. EVICC provides a range of recommendations, from deploying additional initiatives to support Medium- and Heavy-Duty EV charging to exploring opportunities to unlock Charging-as-a-Service for publicly accessible charging to renewing efforts to pass "right-to-charge" legislation for renters. Read the full assessment and a summary of the recommendations. | | | Open Municipal Energy Manager Positions | | Many towns and cities across Massachusetts are currently hiring Municipal Energy Managers, supported by the Mass Save Municipal Energy Manager (MEM) Grant. This grant helps a municipality, or a group of municipalities hire a dedicated staff member to lead efforts in managing energy use, improving energy efficiency, and reducing municipal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the pilot year of the grant, 24 energy managers will be hired to support a total of 63 municipalities and 4 regional planning commissions starting later this summer. | | New State Climate Leaders in Municipal Buying Initiative | | The Operational Services Division (OSD) is launching a new Climate Leaders in Municipal Buying (CLIMB) Initiative. This program is designed to help municipal purchasers across Massachusetts establish climate-conscious procurement and purchasing strategies. The CLIMB Initiative will provide a dedicated space for procurement professionals, sustainability coordinators, public works directors, and other local leaders to learn from their peers, ask questions, and explore the full potential of sustainable and streamlined purchasing. The program will offer training on how to utilize statewide contracts to meet local environmental and climate goals, opportunities for peer-led learning, interactive contract discussions, and feedback on contract readiness. If you are interested in participating in the CLIMB Initiative, contact Climate Data Specialist Sophie Collins or Manager of Strategic Climate Initiatives Paul Carey. | | Upcoming Green Energy Consumer's Alliance Webinars | | |
Throughout September, Green Energy Consumer's Alliance (GECA) is hosting several relevant webinars.
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How to Apply for the Federal EV Tax Credit by September 30: On Tuesday, September 2 at 12:30 p.m., GECA is hosting a How to Apply for the Federal EV Tax Credit webinar. The federal tax credit of up to $7,500 comes to an end on September 30, 2025. If you are planning on buying or leasing a new or used EV this year, join this webinar to learn how the federal tax credit works, how to apply in time to get it, and what this means for the future of the EV market in the US. Register!
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How Clean Energy Helps Lower Your Energy Bills: On Thursday, September 11 at 12 p.m. GECA is hosting a How Clean Energy Helps Lower Your Energy Bill webinar. The webinar will cover the concept of price suppression and how clean energy technology including offshore wind, solar, and energy storage can reduce electricity prices. Register!
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Understanding the Massachusetts MOR-EV Rebate for Electric Cars: On Tuesday, September 23 at 12 p.m., GECA is hosting a webinar that will inform participants about Massachusetts rebate for electric cards including how to access the rebate at the dealership or at home after purchase. Register!
| | Climatetech Career Fair 2025 | | On Thursday, September 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Greentown Labs is hosting an in-person career fair at its Somerville office. Greentown Labs supports climatetech startups with technology, business, and workforce development. Ahead of the in-person event, on Monday, September 8 at 12 p.m., Greentown Labs is also holding a virtual prep session for students, recent grads, and early-career applicants. Register for the prep session and the in-person Climatetech Career Fair. | | |
Green Schools Works Services Technical Assistance
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Application Deadline: Rolling
Award Potential: $5 million available for technical assistance services, Awards up to $250,000.
As part of its Green School Works Program, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is providing technical assistance to public K-12 schools or districts for projects that improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, or mitigate the impacts of climate change, and support decarbonization planning and prioritization. MassCEC has compiled a list of pre-approved technical assistance vendors that can deliver technical assistance. If schools have previously worked with other vendors not on the list, MassCEC can work to approve the vendors. As part of the technical assistance offered, schools or school districts can choose to receive a Comprehensive Building Assessments, a Building Decarbonization Roadmap, or a Focused Study. To be eligible, schools and school districts must serve a student population that is 40% or more low-income for one or more of the last three school years. This program complements the Green School Works Implementation Grants, which were due in the spring.
Watch a recent webinar about the program and learn more about eligibility, enrollment, and offerings.
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