If you're having trouble viewing this email, you cansee it online.
Welcome to our January newsletter!
As we step into 2026, there’s a real sense of momentum across the climate leadership community in Massachusetts. Thanks to your work — from municipal campaigns to grassroots engagement — we are better positioned to build a cleaner, more equitable energy future together.
As the new year begins, we’re excited to continue supporting communities as they deepen engagement, expand participation, and build resilience together. The opportunities highlighted in this newsletter reflect different entry points into that work — from convening with peers to developing new outreach strategies.
Behind every local climate action is a person — a neighbor, a volunteer, a student — stepping up to make a difference. With big events, and new partnerships, 2026 is shaping up to be a year full of opportunity. We’re glad you’re part of it.
Reducing household emissions is one of the most impactful ways communities can address climate change — and one of the most challenging. While many residents are interested in switching to clean heating technologies like heat pumps, the process can feel confusing, from understanding system options to comparing contractor quotes.
This year, a new regional pilot program in the Connecticut River Valley in Western Mass aims to help bridge that gap.
In partnership with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) and the HeatSmart Alliance, MassEnergize is supporting the launch of a Regional Heat Pump Coaching Program that will provide residents with trusted, one-on-one guidance as they explore heat pump adoption. Local volunteers from participating communities will be trained as coaches to help residents navigate decisions with confidence.
Rather than requiring each town to run its own program, this pilot takes a regional approach, reducing the burden on smaller and under-resourced communities while expanding access to expert support. PVPC will administer the program locally, while the HeatSmart Alliance brings years of experience training volunteer coaches across Massachusetts.
MassEnergize will support the program’s infrastructure by providing a customized, user-friendly coaching platform website and coordination support. With residential emissions representing a significant share of community greenhouse gas emissions, this pilot reflects MassEnergize’s commitment to strengthening local leadership and making climate action more accessible at the household level.
Join us for a day of connection, inspiration, and action at the 2026 MassEnergize Climate Leaders Conference—bringing together community leaders, organizers, youth, and climate champions from across the region.
This year’s highlights include:
🎨 Keynote Speaker: Tom Toro Acclaimed New Yorker cartoonist and author Tom Toro brings humor, heart, and urgency to the climate conversation.
🧠 Breakout Sessions + Built-In Networking A wide range of engaging breakouts—plus longer breaks designed for deeper conversations and collaboration.
🔮 Technology & the Possible Future A forward-looking session with David Miller of Clean Energy Ventures on how technology can shape an equitable, sustainable future.
More speakers and session details will be announced soon - watch the conference website as the schedule is finalized.
🤝 The Nonprofit Fair Returns Connect with mission-driven organizations from across the region. Interested in participating? Email hello@massenergize.org.
MassEnergize is excited to partner with Green Community Catalysts to offer GCC Incubator Plus MassEnergize, an advanced training program designed for community climate leaders ready to deepen their impact.
Built for teams who already have climate initiatives underway, this spring cohort goes beyond the basics - diving into outreach strategy, community engagement, and high-impact campaign design.
Through interactive workshops, peer learning, and hands-on support, participants will strengthen messaging, design inclusive and scalable campaigns, and apply proven approaches to initiatives such as home energy upgrades, electrification, and clean energy programs.
The course begins April 26, 2026, with applications due Friday, April 17.
Natalie joins MassEnergize as our new intern, bringing a background in marketing, communications, and digital storytelling.
Natalie is a Clark University graduate in Marketing with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Natalie is continuing her studies as an MBA candidate with a concentration in Digital Marketing. She’ll be building on the great work of our previous interns—supporting our Social Media Magic Toolkit, creating social media content for our communities, and assisting with conference communications and other projects that help power local climate action. Welcome to the team Natalie!
Join SuAsCo Climate Collaborative for a virtual Community-Based Organization Focus Group.
This regional effort brings together municipalities, community organizations, partners, and residents across the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord watershed to advance climate resilience.
Led by OARS 3 Rivers in partnership with the Town of Concord and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and funded through the MVP Action Grant Program, this initiative is centered on collaboration and community voice. CBOs working on climate, public health, environmental justice, or community resilience are invited to share input that will help shape the Collaborative’s steering committee and first-year workplan. Register here.
Join Carrie Katan of the Green Energy Consumers Alliance for a practical, easy-to-understand webinar on how to lower your energy costs.
Learn how to read your utility bills, access discounts and income-eligible programs, take advantage of Mass Save incentives, and explore smart efficiency upgrades like heat pumps and insulation. More event info visit here.
MassEnergize relies on donations from supporters like you!
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%20(1).JPG)
