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Just ahead of Greater Boston's most recent heat wave, MAPC and partners convened a regional symposium that brought together researchers, local governments, community-based organizations, and many others to discuss key topics related to extreme heat and public health in the region. This month's newsletter highlights a blog post about the symposium as well as upcoming webinars related to building decarbonization and electric vehicle adoption, and new funding opportunities.
We would also like to highlight an important new project on the Specialized and Stretch Energy Codes led by MAPC and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. Please fill out a brief survey to share more about your experiences with the updated and new energy codes in your community so far. Your input will help to shape the technical assistance and resources developed through this project.
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MAPC and Boston University School of Public Health Host Symposium on Heat and Health
On Wednesday, June 18, MAPC, in partnership with the Center for Climate and Health at the Boston University (BU) School of Public Health held "Fostering Collaborations, A Symposium to Advance Equitable Health Actions." The regional symposium brought together more than one hundred partners across various sectors and fostered dialogue to bridge the gap between heat-health research and practice. Held at the BU Center for Computing and Data Sciences, the event included presentations and discussions by experts and leaders from academic, state and municipal governments, healthcare institutions, community-based organizations, foundations, and advocacy groups in the region. While the day covered many different aspects of public health and extreme heat, a key theme emerged around the need to advance whole-community approaches in addressing heat and health outcomes.
| | | Help us Shape an Upcoming Project for Stretch and Specialized Energy Code Adoption! | | |
MAPC is working with the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to accelerate the adoption of the Stretch and Specialized Energy Codes among communities across the Commonwealth.
If you have already adopted or tried to adopt the Strech or Specialized Code in your community, we want to hear from you! Your feedback will help us learn more about the challenges you’ve encountered, where you've found success, and how we can best support your community.
Please fill out the survey by Friday, July 11.
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Webinar: Decarbonization with Electric Vehicles, Solar, and Storage
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On Tuesday, July 8 at 1 p.m., the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) will host a webinar about electric vehicles, solar energy, and storage technologies. The webinar will provide an introduction to these technologies, discuss how they can be part of decarbonization plans for Massachusetts commercial and industrial facilities, and review available incentives.
Learn more and register!
| | Webinar: The Massachusetts Municipal Opt-In Specialized Energy Code for Residential Buildings | | |
On Wednesday, July 30 at 1 p.m., Mass Save is hosting a webinar that will provide a comprehensive summary of the requirements of the new Massachusetts Specialized Code for residential buildings and information about the energy code landscape in Massachusetts.
Learn more and register!
| | Upcoming Green Energy Consumer’s Alliance Webinars | |
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Massachusetts Heat Pump Incentives: On Tuesday, July 15 at 12 p.m., the Green Energy Consumer’s Alliance is hosting "Massachusetts Heat Pumps Incentives," a webinar about heat pump rebates, incentives, and the new Three-Year Plan for Mass Save. There will also be an opportunity to get answers to any questions you might have about heat pumps. Register to join the webinar!
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Understanding the Massachusetts MOR-EV Rebate for Electric Cars: On Wednesday, July 16 at 7 p.m., the Green Energy Consumer’s Alliance is hosting "Understanding the Massachusetts MOR-EV Rebate for Electric Cars." The webinar will cover the MOR-EV rebate for new and used cars, rebates for income-qualified residents, and how to access the rebate at the dealership or at home after purchase. Register to join the webinar!
| | Grid Modernization Advisory Council Stakeholder Event | | On Thursday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. the Grid Modernization Advisory Council (GMAC) is convening municipal stakeholders and community leaders interested in and/or already taking steps to decarbonize and electrify their cities and towns. The in-person event, which will take place at 100 Cambridge St. in Boston, will feature a panel of speakers from the GMAC. The panel will share information about the actions Massachusetts is taking to modernize and proactively plan the electric grid, including the development of electric-sector modernization plans (ESMPs). The event will also include facilitated breakout sessions focused on community engagement strategies and recommendations. Fill out this form to express interest in attending. | | Virtual Event: People, Land, Policy: Social Ties for Climate Resilience | | |
On Tuesday, July 29 at 2 p.m., Trust for Public Land (TPL) Boston will hold a virtual event focusing on how people, land, and policy can strengthen social ties for climate resilience. The event will feature speakers from TPL, I See You Consulting, Communidades Enraizadas Community Land Trust, and Groundwork USA and focus on how grassroots leadership, land stewardship, and equitable policymaking all strengthen the fabric of communities, particularly those most vulnerable to threats.
Register to join the event!
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Building Electrification and Transformation Accelerator (BETA): Project Planning
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Application Deadline: Rolling
Award Potential: Each participating building will receive an electrification and decarbonization plan, including directions to financing options and a recommended implementation timeline.
The MassCEC BETA Project Team is actively seeking applications from building owners of small commercial, medium (4 units or more) and large multifamily, colleges and universities, big box retail or supermarkets and municipal buildings supporting waster or water management. The BETA: Project Planning is a MassCEC initiative that seeks to surface and prove the technical, implementation, and financial models that will serve as the basis for electrification and decarbonization of the commercial buildings sector. The Program will develop and pilot a decarbonization assessment process for commercial and multifamily residential buildings with 4 or more units. Visit the MassCEC Beta: Project Planning website to apply! Please contact Gregory King at TSK Energy Solutions.
| | Cooling Corridors Grant Program | | |
Application Deadline: Friday, July 11 at 4 p.m.
Award Potential: $150,000 per award
The Division of Conservation Services, within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Services, is accepting applications to the Cooling Corridors Grant Program. The program will provide financial assistance to municipalities, non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, federally recognized tribes, state housing authorities, and/or public & private schools and universities to conduct tree planting and related activities to assist with mitigating extreme heat and to enhance the tree canopy within neighborhoods and public spaces. Learn more and apply!
| | Leading by Example: Decarbonization Implementation Grant | | |
Application Deadline: Statements of Interest due Thursday, July 17
Award Potential: $12.5 million available for whole program
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has launched the Leading by Example Decarbonization Implementation Grant (DIG) Program, offering up to $12.5 million to support large-scale decarbonization projects at state buildings and campuses. This competitive grant aims to fund initiatives that reduce onsite fossil fuel use and integrate renewable energy and storage solutions. Eligible state agencies, public colleges, and quasi-public entities are encouraged to apply.
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Application Deadline: Monday, July 28
Award Potential: $350,000 per award
MassCEC’s InnovateMass Program is offering up to $350,000 in grant funding and technical support to applicant teams deploying new clean energy technologies or innovative combinations of existing technologies. Successful applicants will propose projects that address important energy challenges, help to grow the state’s clean energy economy, and contribute to Massachusetts’ continued clean energy leadership. Learn more and apply!
| | Vehicle to Everything Demonstration Projects | | |
Application Deadline: Thursday, July 31
Award Potential: All chargers installed through this demonstration program will be deployed at no-cost to the selected participants.
MassCEC is seeking residential, commercial, and school district applicants who own or are in the process of purchasing an Electric Vehicle capable of bi-directional charging to participate in the Vehicle-to-Everything Demonstration Projects, a cutting-edge project that seeks to create a more resilient grid using EVs as energy storage.
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