Renewable Communities 2022

Massachusetts cities and towns leading the way to 100% renewable energy

Across Massachusetts, cities and towns are leading the way to a future powered entirely by clean and renewable sources of energy. This report includes nine new case studies of cities and towns that have adopted innovative policies and programs to reduce the use of fossil fuels and transition to clean energy.

Ben Hellerstein

State Director, Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center

Jack Quigley

Across Massachusetts, cities and towns are leading the way to a future powered entirely by clean and renewable sources of energy. Municipal officials and staff — working with citizen activists, nonprofit organizations, and businesses — are taking action to reduce fossil fuel consumption and increase the use of renewable energy.

This is the fifth edition of Renewable Communities, previously published in 201620192020, and 2021. This year’s report includes nine new case studies of cities and towns that have adopted innovative policies and programs to reduce the use of fossil fuels and transition to clean energy. Several of the case studies in this report focus on strategies to encourage the switch to cleaner modes of transportation, including public transit, biking, and electric vehicles.

These case studies illustrate how action at the local level can accelerate Massachusetts’ progress toward 100 percent renewable energy. We hope this report will inspire more communities to follow the example of the cities and towns featured here.

Topics
Authors

Ben Hellerstein

State Director, Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center

Ben directs Environment Massachusetts’ efforts to promote clean air, clean water, clean energy and open spaces in Massachusetts. In 2016, he launched a campaign to repower Massachusetts with 100 percent renewable energy. Prior to assuming his current role, Ben led the organization’s effort to get Massachusetts to 20 percent renewable electricity by 2025. His areas of expertise lie in renewable energy and the impacts of fossil fuel pollution, and he has authored reports on clean energy policies at the local, state and federal levels, earning media coverage statewide. Ben lives in Boston, where he enjoys exploring the city on foot, by bike and by public transit.

Jack Quigley

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