MassCEC / High Performance Buildings / Funding / Green School Works Technical Assistance Services
The Challenge: Decarbonize Public Schools
Massachusetts’ approximately 1,800 public school buildings are responsible for about 880,000 metric tons of carbon every year. Electrifying and decarbonizing these buildings represents a significant opportunity for the state to reach its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. While school districts are well-versed in capital planning, they may not have the experience or technical expertise necessary to incorporate energy efficiency, electrification, and decarbonization measures into their capital planning projects.
About Green School Works Technical Assistance Services
As part of the Green School Works program, Technical Assistance offers an excellent opportunity for eligible schools, districts, and collaboratives to receive low- or no-cost support for decarbonization planning that focuses on modern, energy efficient school buildings and facilities. Participants may choose from a Comprehensive Building Assessment, a Building Decarbonization Roadmap, or a Focused Study. Each of these services is described in more detail in the Program Manual and includes a renewable energy feasibility analysis and Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) analysis. Participants will also receive information on available incentives and funding opportunities for energy efficient and fossil-fuel-free technologies and infrastructure.
Enrolling in this program is an ideal way to begin planning for a more sustainable, cost-effective future for school buildings.
Technical assistance worth up to $250k
Rolling enrollment
Who's Eligible
Schools, districts, and collaboratives do not need to have previously engaged in decarbonization planning to be eligible to enroll.
To be eligible to receive technical assistance, potential participants must satisfy all of the following:
- Be public K-12 schools, including charter schools; school districts; or educational collaboratives in Massachusetts
- Own their building(s), or have long-term ground leases (of at least 20 years) and capital responsibility
- Affirm that the building(s) will remain in use as a public K-12 school(s), serving public school students, for the next 20 years
- Serve or have served a student population that is at least 40% low-income* in one or more of the last three school years (2022-2023, 2023-2024, or 2024-2025)
*To find your school or district's percentage of low-income students, use the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) report on statewide enrollment by selected populations:
Enroll
Process
Eligible schools, districts, and collaboratives must complete the enrollment form online. Enrollment form progress will be saved so that the form can be completed over multiple sessions. A PDF version of the enrollment form is available for reference.
Enrollment forms will be accepted on a rolling basis. However, potential participants are encouraged to enroll early, as funding is limited.
If technical assistance is for a single building, an eligible school, school district, or educational collaborative may enroll.
If technical assistance is for multiple buildings, the eligible school district or collaborative should enroll. For more information on enrollment, timelines, participant responsibilities, and types of technical assistance offered, please refer to the Program Manual.
If you have questions about enrolling, please email greenschools@masscec.com or visit us during our weekly office hours on Mondays 2-3pm. Advance sign up required.
Materials
Green School Works Vendor List
Below is a list of technical assistance vendors that have been selected to participate in the Green School Works program. Please note that MassCEC does not endorse these vendors or guarantee the quality or reliability of their services. Your use of a particular vendor is at your own risk and MassCEC makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding their services and is not liable for any damages or losses incurred by you as a result of your use of these vendors.
For Mass Save-eligible schools: Before selecting a vendor, please reach out to Mass Save to discuss your needs. They will provide you with a list of Mass Save pre-approved vendors who can provide technical assistance studies at low- or no-cost to you. Please note, only some of the vendors listed below are Mass Save pre-approved vendors. If you do not know your Mass Save representative you can contact them via email at info@masssave.com.
MassCEC / High Performance Buildings / Funding / Green School Works Technical Assistance Services
Additional Funding Opportunities
School Bus: Advisory Services Program
No-Cost Advisory Services
Rolling
BETA: Roadmaps
Custom electrification and decarbonization plan, including financing analysis
Rolling, deadline TBD