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Students present their posers at the MassEnergize Conference
Welcome to our June newsletter!
As summer begins, communities across Massachusetts are continuing to connect, collaborate, and accelerate local climate action. This month, we’re celebrating the power of community-driven impact — from inspiring student leaders at the Youth Climate Solutions Challenge Awards Night to new data showing that MassEnergize communities are helping lead the way in clean energy adoption across the Commonwealth.
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore this month’s stories, upcoming events, and resources — and, as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if there are ways MassEnergize can help support climate action in your community.
New analysis of clean energy adoption data shows that MassEnergize communities are helping accelerate local climate action across Massachusetts.
The analysis, conducted by Professor Zana Cranmer of Bentley University, reviewed 2023 and 2024 residential clean energy data and found that MassEnergize communities consistently showed higher rates of electric vehicle and heat pump adoption compared to similar nearby communities.
The research examined communities including Acton, Ashland, Concord, Framingham, Harvard, Natick, Sudbury, Stow, and Wayland, comparing trends in EV adoption, heat pumps, and solar energy uptake. While many factors influence clean energy adoption, the findings suggest that trusted local engagement, peer-to-peer education, and community-led outreach can play an important role in helping residents take action.
Professor Cranmer also collaborated with MassEnergize, Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN), and Green Energy Consumers Alliance to develop the Massachusetts Climate Goals Tracker — an online tool that helps communities track clean energy progress and prepare greenhouse gas inventories.
People are much more likely to explore clean energy solutions when their neighbors and trusted community members suggest technologies like heat pumps, solar and EVs make good sense,” said Ellen Tohn, community leader in Wayland.
The findings reinforce something MassEnergize has long believed: when communities come together to share knowledge, resources, and encouragement, meaningful climate action becomes more possible at the household level.
👉 Explore the Massachusetts Climate Goals Tracker where you can see at a town / city level adoption of clean energy technologies and also your local greenhouse gas emission sources.
Youth Climate Solutions Challenge Awards Night
Earlier in May, MassEnergize proudly celebrated the inaugural Youth Climate Solutions Challenge Awards Night — an inspiring evening highlighting student-led climate action from communities across Massachusetts.
Throughout the Challenge, 10 teams representing communities including Harvard, Newton, Stoughton, Lexington, Northampton, Milford, Framingham, Concord-Carlisle, Holliston, and Nauset developed and led projects focused on clean energy, climate awareness, and community engagement, gaining hands-on experience in outreach, communications, and local climate leadership along the way.
The awards evening showcased the incredible creativity, professionalism, and dedication of participating students, whose projects demonstrated that young people are not only passionate about climate action — they are ready to lead it.
Congratulations to this year’s winning teams:
🥇 First Place:
The Bromfield School (Harvard, MA)
Project: Harnessing the Sun — Veronica Welsh, Flora Poutasse & Kimberly Chen
🥈 Second Place:
Newton North High School (Newton, MA)
Project: Newton Youth Energizers — Madeline Rhine, Leyla Gustin, Alicia Qiu, Nevie Lee, Kendall Swint, Cindy Qiao, Ella Hamel & Theo Evangelinos
🥉 Third Place:
Stoughton High School (Stoughton, MA)
Project: Greenify Stoughton — Gahelle Galette & Jennifer Verdieu
Student teams tackled a wide range of climate challenges through grassroots campaigns and community-based solutions, impressing judges and attendees alike with their innovation and commitment.
“The creativity, professionalism, and dedication these students demonstrated was truly inspiring,” said Nathan Scott, Executive Director of MassEnergize. “This program showed what’s possible when young people are empowered to lead real climate solutions in their own communities.”
The Challenge is already gaining wider recognition, with participating teams recently featured in local press — including coverage in the Harvard Press highlighting the first-place Bromfield team.
As we look ahead, MassEnergize is actively working to secure funding for the 2026–2027 program so that the Youth Climate Solutions Challenge can continue growing as an annual statewide initiative.
👉 Learn more about all 10 student projects and the Class of 2026 here
Fundraising Consultant:
MassEnergize is seeking a Fundraising Consultant to help us grow and strengthen our donor community as we expand climate action efforts across Massachusetts.
We’re looking for someone who is: ✨ Relationship-driven ✨ Strategic + hands-on ✨ Excited about community-based climate work ✨ Interested in helping us build a stronger year-round fundraising program
This is a contract role working closely with our staff, Board, and supporters to deepen donor engagement and grow sustainable support for local climate action.
📅 Proposal deadline: June 5, 2026 👉 Learn more + apply here: bit.ly/fundraisingRFP
Learn about All In Energy’s Energy Bill Check-Up program and how it can support energy affordability and electrification outreach. Jon Simning and Raddhima Dave will share how the program works, what organizations can review to identify bill-saving opportunities, and how Check-Ups can help engage residents in energy efficiency and clean energy programs. The session will include time for questions and discussion.
In this Heat Pumps 101 webinar we'll learn how heat pumps can improve home comfort and reduce emissions. The session will cover how heat pumps work, available Mass Save rebates and funding opportunities, considerations for landlords and tenants, and dedicated programs for low- and moderate-income residents. The webinar will conclude with a live Q&A.
Gas prices hitting $4.50/gallon? There's a better way. Charging an EV at home costs the equivalent of just $2.80/gallon – and EVs cost 30–50% less to maintain than gas cars. That's ~$4,000 in savings over five years.
Join us to hear from real EV drivers and get your questions answered.
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