MassDOER

DOER staff at NEWIEE Annual Members Meeting and Fall Fête 2025

Having fun and networking with others in the energy and environmental fields always recharges our batteries. Thank you, NEWIEE, for a terrific Annual Members Meeting and Fall Fête.

Photo collage from the DOER Green Communities + Leading By Example Summit

On Tuesday, staff and volunteers from state entities, municipalities, regional planning agencies and non-profits came together at the Green Communities + Leading by Example Summit. The opportunity for learning, collaboration and discussion is one of our favorite days of the year!

Information about the event, “The future grid from a municipal lens and new customer connections workshop,” December 12, 2025 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at UMass Amherst. Learn more and register at bit.ly/FutureGridEvent.

Are you working to electrify your city or town’s buildings and fleets? The GMAC wants to meet with local leaders and stakeholders who implement electrification and renewable energy projects and want to learn about grid modernization. Learn more and register at bit.ly/FutureGridEvent.

Image that depicts a weatherized home saving money in winter and summer, with the words: Properly insulating and air sealing a home reduces heating and cooling costs, improves air quality and comfort, keeps homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer, and minimizes outside noise.

Air sealing & insulation are two of the most cost-effective ways to boost energy efficiency and save on winter heating bills. Weatherizing can save up to 15-20% of annual heating usage. Visit masssave.com, nextzero.org or ene.org/sustainability to find discounts and rebates.

Congratulations to our 9 newest Climate Leader Communities – Aquinnah, Bedford, Harvard, Lincoln, Needham, Stockbridge, West Tisbury, Weston and Winchester! Keep up the great work cutting energy costs and pollution and upgrading municipal buildings and fleets.
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⚡🚗Our Fleet EV Charging grant program has helped state government exceed its 2030 goal of 500 EV charging stations with 658 stations (and counting) installed on state properties! DOER helps state government “Lead by Example” to reduce its environmental impacts.

Graphic that illustrates the phrase “when the clock falls back, let your thermostat fall too,” and then says, “lower heat, lower bills.”

For heat pumps, it’s better to “set it and forget it” – heat pumps run most efficiently at consistent temperatures day and night.

The end of daylight savings is the start of winter heating season. Adjusting thermostats a little leads to big energy savings! Set thermostats at 68 or lower when people are home, and 7 - 10 degrees lower when no one is home for 2+ hours and overnight.

It’s never been a better time to heat with a heat pump! Residential heat pump customers can now sign up for lower electricity rates this winter. We’re thrilled to see the recommendations in our January petition come to life.

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This week–Commissioner Mahony was invited to testify before the Senate Committee on Climate Change, highlighting the vital role of solar energy as an affordable, deployable solution for reliable energy supply.

Low-Income Services Solar Program • CET The Low-Income Services Solar Program (LISSP) helps nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts bring solar power and battery backup to the communities that need it most

Are you a non-profit that serves low-income residents or EJ communities?

Our Low-Income Services Solar Program offers funding and support to install solar, which can reduce energy bills and free up resources for your vital work.

Learn more at bit.ly/DOER-LISSP.

Our team discussed all things solar at a recent New England Women in Energy and the Environment chapter meeting.

Thank you, NEWIEE, for bringing together energy and environmental voices for another great conversation.

Our Leading by Example team shared the latest on fleet EV charging at the Office of Vehicle Management’s Annual Fleet Day.

Our team was revved up to “ride and drive” new EVs and see DOER-funded charging stations out in the world at MassWildlife.

SMART 3.0 is open for applications! The updated program will revitalize solar growth, keep pace with industry developments, and increase equity to ensure all residents can lower energy costs with solar. Program updates will benefit ALL ratepayers with $300 million in savings.

Graphic that lists upcoming public information sessions and virtual public hearing about small clean energy siting and permitting. Visit www.bit.ly/DOER-SP-Reg for all information in the graphic.

TONIGHT in Amherst. We’re looking forward to hearing from communities around MA at our public info. sessions on our resources for siting & permitting small clean energy projects, including draft regulations. Join us to hear about the initiative and get your Qs answered.

Graphic that lists upcoming public information sessions and virtual public hearing about small clean energy siting and permitting. Visit www.bit.ly/DOER-SP-Reg for all information in the graphic.

TONIGHT in Fitchburg. We’re looking forward to hearing from communities around MA at our public info. sessions on our resources for siting & permitting small clean energy projects, including draft regulations. Join us to hear about the initiative and get your Qs answered.

Graphic that lists upcoming public information sessions and virtual public hearing about small clean energy siting and permitting. Visit www.bit.ly/DOER-SP-Reg for all information in the graphic.

TONIGHT in Danvers. We’re looking forward to hearing from communities around MA at our public info. sessions on our resources for siting & permitting small clean energy projects, including draft regulations. Join us to hear about the initiative and get your Qs answered.

Thank you, @massgovernor.bsky.social and Secretary Tepper, for bringing together industry, labor leaders, and policy makers to talk about how to bring more solar into MA to lower bills, boost our economy and meet demand.

Adding more solar will lower energy bills and support Mass. businesses and workers. This is how we get things done for the Bay State!

TONIGHT in Buzzards Bay. We’re looking forward to hearing from communities around MA at our four public info. session on our resources for siting & permitting small clean energy projects, including draft regulations. Join us to hear about the initiative and get your Qs answered.

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Tip #11: Did you know you can save energy with your home appliances? Unplug electronics when not in use or use a smart power strip, clean your dryer filter regularly, or turn off the drying cycle on your dishwasher – open the door to air dry instead!

Happy Energy Efficiency Day!

Tip #10: Seasonal heat pump rates will be available this winter for people who heat their homes with heat pumps. Heat pumps are a more efficient way to heat and cool your home and these new rates will now bring customers more savings. Explore incentives for heat pumps at masssave.com.

Tip #9: Mass Save’s Main Streets initiative connects small business owners with approved contractors to provide NO-COST Energy Assessments and customized energy saving solutions! Call 866-527-SAVE today.

Tip #8: The Mass Save programs provide about 100,000 NO-COST Home Energy Assessments each year, offering families and residents across Massachusetts key guidance on how to reduce their energy bills!

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Tip #7: On the hottest day of the summer (June 24), in ONE hour alone, we all avoided $ 2.6 million in energy costs thanks to energy efficiency investments!

Tip #6: Did you know that changing your HVAC air filter regularly will help keep your home’s air cleaner and make your heating/cooling run efficiently to use less energy?

Tip #5: Our nation-leading building energy codes help CRUSH energy use for heating. These codes lower energy use (and bills) for a building’s residents and businesses, and save for everyone by minimizing the need for upgrades to our electric grid.

Tip #4: Over 126,000 workers are employed in Massachusetts’ clean energy sector! We need you too. Receive related training and education through MassCEC or Massachusetts Community Colleges throughout the state. Learn more at www.masscec.com/students-job....

Tip #3: Are you a Municipal Light Plant Customer? MLP customers can also find ways to lower energy use and save on monthly energy bills. Visit nextzero.org or ene.org/sustainability to learn more.

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Tip #2: Weatherizing your home can save up to 15-20% on monthly energy costs. Customers of Mass Save programs can call 866-527-SAVE today to schedule a Home Energy Assessment to save on your bills!