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Welcome to our December newsletter! The results of the November election sent shock waves through the climate action community, but what that means for us is that our work at MassEnergize is more timely and important than ever. Going forward, we will be focused on local level action, supporting communities and engaging residents like never before!
As always, please reach out to let us know what else we can be doing to support you or your community on the road to a healthier planet for all!
Senator Jamie Eldridge Celebrates plugIN Program’s Role in Advancing Community Electrification
On November 1st, Senator Jamie Eldridge joined local leaders and residents in Wayland, MA, for a celebratory event highlighting the success of the plugIN program. During the gathering, Senator Eldridge presented a $50,000 check to support MassEnergize’s impactful work in advancing clean energy outreach and decarbonization across the communities he represents.
The plugIN program, a collaboration between MassEnergize and local communities, is driving meaningful progress in household and community electrification. The initiative promotes cleaner energy alternatives, reduces carbon emissions, and delivers economic benefits to residents.
The event showcased the growing momentum behind plugIN’s mission to create cleaner, more sustainable communities. Interested in getting involved? Learn more at plugINMetrowest.org.
A night of inspiration with Heather White
On Wednesday, November 13th, MassEnergize partnered with Sustainable Wellesley to host an engaging author event at Wellesley Books featuring Heather White, author of Eco-Anxiety: Saving Our Sanity, Our Kids, and Our Future. Heather captivated the audience as she emphasized that everyone has a vital role to play in creating a better climate future for all.
The evening sparked a lively discussion about the urgency of local climate action, especially in light of the recent election. Heather highlighted the record levels of youth anxiety about the climate, calling on each of us to engage more deeply and build resilience in our communities. Quoting Joan Baez, she reminded us, “Action is the antidote to despair,” adding, “This is the biggest crisis of our lifetime, and everyone is welcome, and everyone is needed.”
It was truly an inspiring event that left attendees motivated to take meaningful steps toward a sustainable future.
Missed the event but still curious about Heather's insights? You can grab a copy of her book, Eco-Anxiety: Saving Our Sanity, Our Kids, and Our Future, here from Wellesley Books.
We’re thrilled to announce the second annual Community Climate Leaders Conference, will take place on April 30, 2025, at Bentley University, in Waltham, MA. Following last year’s incredible success, this year’s event promises to be another impactful day of learning, collaboration, and action for climate leaders, local organizers, and community activists.
SAVE THE DATE
Registration opens December 9th—don’t miss out! Take advantage of early bird discounts and secure your spot early. Last year’s conference was oversubscribed, so act fast to guarantee your place at this engaging and inspiring event!
Call for Conference Workshop / Breakout Proposals & Volunteers As we prepare for the 2025 conference, we invite you to submit your proposals for workshop sessions! This is a great opportunity to share your ideas and help shape the conference with topics you’re passionate about. Simply complete the form here to submit your proposal by December 15th, 2025.
We are looking for a few volunteers to help with the organization of the event. If you have any ideas or would like to be involved in any way, please reach out to us here.
As we wrap up the year and reflect on our journey, we’re thrilled to celebrate a major milestone: MassEnergize turns 5!
Since our founding in 2019, we’ve worked passionately to empower communities across Massachusetts to take bold climate action. Together, we’ve achieved remarkable progress:
34 Member Communities supported through our programs and platform
11,265 Households actively engaged in climate action
15.8 million lbs of annual greenhouse gas emissions reduced
Through initiatives like PlugIN Metrowest and Solar Para Todos, we’re bringing clean energy solutions to residents, including those in Environmental Justice communities. Thanks to the incredible efforts of community leaders and supporters like you, we’re building a more sustainable future.
Whether you’ve contributed time, skills, or donations, your support has made all the difference. As we look ahead, we’d love to hear from you if you’re ready to deepen your involvement or share your expertise.
Thank you for being part of the MassEnergize family. Here's to many more years of collective action!
At this month’s Community of Practice meeting, we focused on resilience, social networks, and community adaptation, with participants sharing updates on local climate initiatives. Highlights included Dr. Balachandran from the Sustainable Solutions Lab at UMass Boston discussing strategies to enhance resilience in underserved communities and fostering collaboration on climate action projects. Brad Hubbard-Nelson took some time to share a new platform update, where communities can share community testimonials directly on their sites. Learn how to enable this new platform feature here.
Couldn't attend November's meeting? You can catch up on all the key takeaways and resources shared during the meeting at the MassEnergize Resource Center. You can also watch the recording of our November meeting right here. Feel free to revisit any part of the conversation!
November's Community of Practice concludes our meeting series for 2024 and we hope you take some time to enjoy the holiday season. Join us in January for our first Community of Practice meeting of 2025 - see you there!
(December 4th, 6pm - 7pm - Acton Memorial Library Main Meeting Room, 486 Main St, Acton, MA)
Learn about Air Source Heat Pumps!
Join us for a talk with heat pump experts. Learn about how they work and how the free Acton Clean Energy Coach Program can assist you through the heat pump selection process. Pizza and snacks will be provided!
Co-sponsored by plugIN communities & Resilient Swampscott
(December 4th, 7pm - 8pm - Online)
Discover how to efficiently cool and heat your home! Hear from an expert from the Heat Smart Alliance, and learn from the experiences of community members. Find out more about the event and register here!
Join Ross Trethewey, P.E., M.Eng., Building Engineer for This Old House and Ask This Old House as he provides an excellent holistic view of the aspects you as a homeowner need to consider when looking at energy efficiency changes that also provide a better environment for healthier living.
This year, Sustainable Middlesex welcomes Secretary Rebecca Tepper from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs as their keynote speaker. Following Secretary Tepper's address, a series of rapid, “lightning” presentations will be showcased, highlighting successful town-level climate initiatives that can be adapted and implemented in your own community.
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