In 2007, the new Patrick administration reorganized environmental and energy agencies. In 2008, the legislature passed the Green Communities Act and the Global Warming Solutions Act, creating a framework to address climate change. Successive administrations and legislatures have further evolved agency roles. Today multiple agencies collaborate in addressing climate change. This inventory focuses on those involved directly or indirectly in the greening of existing buildings.
Energy and Environmental Affairs
The Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs leads climate planning and oversees the Department of Energy Resources, the Department of Public Utilities, and the Department of Environmental Protection.
Brief History of EEA
Department of Energy Resources
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) develops and implements policies and programs aimed at ensuring the adequacy, security, diversity, and cost-effectiveness of the Commonwealth’s energy supply to create a clean, affordable and resilient energy future for all residents, businesses, communities, and institutions.
Department of Energy Resources
Department of Public Utilities
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is an adjudicatory agency overseen by a three-member Commission. It is responsible for oversight of investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water utilities in the Commonwealth.
Department of Public Utilities
Department of Environmental Protection
MassDEP supports a wide range of efforts to address climate issues in Massachusetts . . . [including] monitoring and assessment, reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, administering water centered programs to promote adaptation, supporting storm response and recovery efforts, providing mapping resources, and funding for climate preparedness and resiliency efforts.
MassDEP’s Climate Work
GWSA Implementation Advisory Committee
Advises Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs on implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act. Created in 2012, the committee continues to meet regularly to guide major climate planning efforts.
Clean Energy Center
[Among other areas of innovation it supports,] MassCEC accelerates the most impactful, resilient, and cost-effective electrification technologies and approaches to decarbonizing the building sector.
Clean Energy Center
Energy Efficiency Advisory Council
The Energy Efficiency Advisory Council guides the progress of energy efficiency in the Commonwealth, ensuring our continuing leadership in implementation, integration, and innovation.
Energy Efficiency Advisory Council
MassSave
Mass Save® is an efficiency program that provides rebates, incentives, training, and resources to help Massachusetts residents and businesses make energy efficiency upgrades. Several Massachusetts utility companies and energy efficiency service providers joined forces to sponsor the program . . .. The program strives to reduce energy demand throughout the state, minimize strain on the electric grid, reduce carbon emissions, and help homeowners save energy and money.
Neeeco on MassSave
Mass Save is currently the best-resourced and farthest-reaching policy tool that the Commonwealth can leverage to achieve GHG emissions reductions from the Buildings sector.
Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2025/2030, page 56
Commission on Clean Heat
The Commission will explore options to accelerate the deployment of energy efficiency programs and clean heating systems in new and existing buildings and transition existing distribution systems to clean energy. This work will be conducted in accordance with the 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap and will consider financing mechanisms, incentives, and other regulatory options, including a framework for a cap on greenhouse gas emissions from heating fuels. . . . The Commission will meet regularly until December 2022 . . .
Commission on Clean Heat
AG’s Energy and Environment Bureau
The Energy and Environment Bureau works to protect utility ratepayers and our environment, and to reduce the threat of climate change for the people of Massachusetts. . . . The Energy and Telecommunications Division represents consumers in matters involving the price and delivery of natural gas, electricity, and telecommunications services before federal and state government regulators.The division works to ensure that Massachusetts businesses and residents have access to reliable, safe, and affordable energy.
Attorney General’s Energy and Environment Bureau
Will Brownsberger, November 2022