The EmPower Massachusetts program is currently in development!

The EmPower Massachusetts pilot program is an overarching initiative aimed at the exploration, development and implementation of program models or projects that provide access to the benefits of clean energy  for previously underserved populations in the Commonwealth, including Environmental Justice (as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Environmental Justice Policy)  renters, or communities disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards (e.g. air quality, urban heat).

Program Goals

The goals of EmPower Massachusetts are to empower communities, organizations, and stakeholders to:

  • Identify innovative solutions to increasing access to the benefits of clean energy and/or reducing energy burden to underserved or vulnerable population Priority Groups.
  • Implement innovative solutions and continue long-term engagement strategies in underserved or vulnerable populations.
  • Build organizational capacity in these focus areas.

Opportunities Under the Program

  • Coming Soon! Stakeholder Workshops

    • During 2021 MassCEC will offer several opportunities to participate in focused sessions on clean energy and access topics. 

    • Workshop Goals:

      • Hear feedback on "What MassCEC can do" to inform future programming and policy

      • Identify applicants for grant opportunities

      • Facilitate relationships for grant opportunities

  • Coming Soon! Apply to receive Innovation and Capacity Building grants

    • An opportunity to apply for “seed” funding for the exploration of innovative ideas for potential program or project models and/or for building community or organizational capacity towards these potential models to conduct community-based programs or projects that increase access to the benefits of clean energy and/or reducing energy burden to underserved or vulnerable population Priority Groups.

    • We expect this funding could be utilized for, but is not limited to: staff time devoted to program concept development or refinement; technical studies needed to move projects forward; costs for a grant-writer, accountant, lawyer, or other professional services; and costs associated with ongoing community engagement

    • We anticipate a grant range of $5,000-$20,000

  • Coming Soon! Apply to receive Implementation Grants

    • An opportunity to apply for funding for community-based programs or projects that increase access to the benefits of clean energy and/or reduce energy burden to underserved or vulnerable population Priority Groups and are ready for implementation.

    • We expect applications will identify clear goals and outcomes for energy access within each priority population

    • We anticipate a grant range of $50,000-$125,000

Program Development & Launch Timeline

Please note this timeline is subject to change and will be updated regularly as development continues

Milestone Date

Stakeholder Engagement

 Ongoing

Seek Applicants for Innovation & Capacity Building Grants

 Late Winter/Early Spring 2021; 6-8 mo. rolling application period

Seek Applicants for Implementation Grants

 Late Winter/Early Spring 2021; 3 mo. application period

Begin Focused Stakeholder Workshops

 1-2 during Spring 2021

Second Round of both Grants

 Winter 2021/Spring 2022
 

Resources (In Development)

Through our program we aim to offer educational and inspirational resources and transparent idea sharing.

We're currently building the resources section and will be offering information & resources in the following categories:

Want to see your program, project or approach listed here? email: empower@masscec.com

Contact

We want to hear from you! Stakeholder feedback for this program will be ongoing and MassCEC welcomes outreach at any time, especially for the following:

  • to provide feedback on the design of the program

  • to indicate interest in participating in stakeholder engagement or identify stakeholders for this process

  • to indicate interest in applying for either grant opportunity

  • to be added to our idea sharing and relationship facilitation opt-in listserv

To get in touch with MassCEC about EmPower Mass, email: empower@masscec.com with “EmPower” in the subject line. We look forward to hearing from you.