Massachusetts is on the brink of implementing a $5 billion energy efficiency plan aimed at aiding low-income residents, renters, and other underserved communities. The draft plan, spanning 2025-2027, prioritizes weatherization, heat pumps, timely rebate processing, multilingual support, and workforce expansion. However, advocates insist more needs to be done to address equity and affordability issues. This plan continues the state’s legacy of energy efficiency, driven by Mass Save initiatives, yet faces scrutiny for not reaching all demographics equitably.
Earlier assessments of Massachusetts’ energy efficiency efforts reveal a consistent top ranking in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s annual scorecard for over a decade. Mass Save, a collaboration among utilities, has been the cornerstone, providing education, energy audits, and rebates since 2008. However, recent legislation necessitates a shift toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, rather than merely conserving energy. Despite this, studies and reports from 2020 show a lag in reaching lower-income and racially diverse communities, prompting calls for a more inclusive approach.
Mass Save’s earlier three-year plan from 2022-2024 attempted to bridge this gap by increasing the budget for income-eligible services and incentivizing utilities to serve lower-income households. While these efforts improved outreach, there remains significant room for enhancement, especially in budgeting and service distribution. Notably, prior plans didn’t entirely achieve their equity goals, highlighting the necessity for the upcoming plan to adopt more robust measures.
Strides toward equity
Mass Save’s 2020 study pinpointed that lower-income and minority communities were underserved, prompting a boost in budget and services for these groups in the 2022-2024 plan. This effort led to an increase in contractors and households served. The new draft plan further elevates the budget for income-eligible households to nearly $1 billion and simplifies access to benefits for marginalized communities. By designating 21 “equity communities,” the plan offers no-cost weatherization and electrification services without stringent income verification, aiming to reach more underserved residents.
Missed opportunities
Despite these strides, advocates argue the plan still falls short. The budget for low- and moderate-income services, at 19% of the total, does not proportionately cover the nearly 50% of households in this category. Advocates also criticize the target of 115,000 heat pump installations, with only 16,000 for lower-income households, as insufficient. They suggest a higher target to significantly reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions for those using high-emission fuels like heating oil and propane.
The upcoming plan aims to extend the Community First Partnership program, which funds local nonprofits and municipalities to enhance outreach. However, current funding levels have posed challenges in maintaining a stable workforce, raising concerns about the plan’s ability to meet its ambitious goals. The final proposal will be submitted in October, and public utilities regulators may approve or suggest modifications to ensure a more balanced, inclusive approach.
Key Inferences
- Equity-focused plans must consider proportional budget allocations to effectively serve low-income populations.
- Setting higher targets for heat pump installations can significantly impact energy costs and emission reductions.
- Stable and sufficient funding for community outreach programs is crucial for successful implementation.
Massachusetts’ new energy efficiency plan aims to extend support to underserved communities but faces criticism for its limited budget allocation and modest targets for heat pump installations. Equitable distribution of benefits remains a key issue, with advocates urging for more substantial measures. The plan’s success hinges on balancing these concerns with practical implementation strategies, particularly through robust community outreach and adequate funding. As the state moves forward, these considerations will be critical in ensuring the plan’s effectiveness and inclusivity in serving all residents.
