BOSTON — The Mass Clean Energy Center announced more than $2.9 million in awards through the EmPower Massachusetts program to support community-driven projects that break down barriers to clean energy adoption and reduce energy costs for residents across the state. 

 

The funding will support innovative projects that connect historically underserved populations with the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy.

 

In Berkshire County, the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) was awarded $50,000 to be used to help rural residents access energy efficiency and electrification upgrades by bridging existing Community Development Block Grant programming and Mass Save energy-efficiency upgrades.

 

"Some of the most impactful work happens at the local level, where community organizations understand the challenges families face in accessing affordable heat pumps, solar, storage, and clean appliances," said Ben Downing, Mass Clean Energy Center CEO. "Mass Clean Energy Center is committed to finding those ideas, investing in them, and helping bring them to life. These funds support organizations that are building community trust, creating new pathways to clean energy adoption, and demonstrating innovative approaches that can be replicated across Massachusetts."

 

Low-income households often spend a disproportionately large share of their income on energy costs, while renters, non-English-speaking households, and communities of color consistently face barriers to accessing energy efficiency programs. Since 2022, EmPower Massachusetts has addressed these challenges by supporting 207 organizations in developing and delivering solutions that expand access to clean energy benefits throughout the state.

 

The program offers two tracks of funding: Implementation grants, which support organizations in carrying out community-based programs and projects that increase access to clean energy benefits and reduce energy burden; and Innovation and Capacity Building grants, which provide seed funding for organizations to explore new program models and build long-term organizational capacity.