Clean Energy & Environment Legacy Transition Initiative Resulted from Governor Healey’s Trip to Ireland, Aims to Enhance Environmental Equity and Promote Sustainable Energy Solutions
Image by Brooke Coupal
11/19/2024
The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the Clean Energy and Environment Legacy Transition (CELT) Initiative, a significant development resulting from Governor Maura Healey’s trip to Ireland last year.
During the trip, Governor Healey, members of her administration and representatives from UMass Lowell participated in an Energy and Sustainability Roundtable, where they discussed successful university-industry partnerships supported by the Irish government. Inspired by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Energy, Climate, and Marine (MaREI) model, the Healey-Driscoll Administration collaborated with UMass Lowell and Boston University to establish a similar program to advance the clean energy transition, aid cities and towns in their decarbonization efforts, and foster geothermal workforce development.
“Our trip to Ireland focused on forging impactful strategic partnerships and strengthening our economic ties, and with this initiative we are doing just that,” said Governor Healey. “Geothermal energy is a vital step toward reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and achieving our climate goals. With the remarkable talent of our students, we have the innovative spirit to drive transformative change and create a sustainable future.”
“Many municipalities struggle with limited resources for energy transition projects, but partnerships with universities can energize local communities and boost Massachusetts’ economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This collaboration provides students with practical training in renewable energy while delivering essential support to municipalities ready to tap into geothermal energy.”
The CELT Initiative, which is backed by $5.7 million in funding from the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), will establish a resource center focused on clean energy. This program intends to promote equity in the state’s clean energy and climate solutions by leveraging university expertise alongside industry innovation, with support from state and community partners. As part of this initiative, graduate student fellows will be placed in municipalities to assist with clean energy planning and project implementation.
Additionally, graduate students will be deployed in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Office of Energy Transformation (OET) to conduct policy and data analysis to enhance the adoption of networked geothermal systems.
“We are fully committed to affordability and real clean energy solutions. Geothermal energy offers a reliable, cost-effective way to combat rising energy costs, providing long-term savings for residents,” said Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “This first step is about building the workforce and expanding on successful pilot projects in Lowell and Framingham. Our goal is to make clean energy smarter, more efficient, and accessible to everyone.”
“This initiative puts equity at the forefront of Massachusetts' clean energy and climate goals, with geothermal energy as one of the key solutions,” said DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “By harnessing robust university partnerships, we will maximize our impact and create a sustainable future that serves all communities.”
“With CELT, we will be able to build a global workforce that will respond to issues and opportunities around climate, energy, and sustainability, all while delivering direct benefits to the Commonwealth and its residents,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, UMass Lowell is positioned to help create a more sustainable Commonwealth that will serve as a model across the nation and the world. We are pleased UMass is a part of this transformative initiative.”
“UMass Lowell, through its Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy, is uniquely positioned to use its expertise in climate tech and sustainability to help municipalities across Massachusetts implement a transition to clean energy and educate the workforce needed to make Massachusetts a global clean tech leader,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen. “Governor Healey’s trade mission to Ireland presented a dynamic opportunity to enhance and strengthen the Commonwealth’s international research and innovation partnerships. UMass Lowell’s long-standing partnership with University College Cork, a recognized global leader in climate, energy, and sustainability, has been integral to our approach with CELT. We look forward to working in partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration and with our partners at Boston University on the implementation of our shared goals at the local, national, and international level.”
“CELT further attests to Massachusetts’ leadership on climate and clean energy, and Boston University is proud to bring our expertise in sustainability and data science to this research collaboration with the Healey-Driscoll Administration and UMass Lowell,” said Boston University Provost Gloria Waters. “Spearheading our efforts will be the BU Institute for Global Sustainability, which is uniquely positioned to enable communities across the state to better leverage data for decarbonization decision making that benefits everyone.”
The CELT Initiative, in collaboration with DOER, will assist communities in reducing carbon emissions, focusing on several areas:
- Equitable Decarbonization: CELT will support state and municipal efforts toward equitable decarbonization by providing on-demand technical assistance to municipalities, community leaders, and industries lacking capacity or expertise. This initiative aims to foster informed local clean energy transitions and enhance municipalities' ability to secure state and federal support.
- Geothermal Energy Projects: Partnering with the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) and Green Communities programs, CELT will help environmental justice communities plan and execute geothermal energy projects. A program will also place graduate students in municipalities to provide training and support, ensuring that smaller communities benefit from these initiatives.
- Diverse Workforce Development: To address the need for skilled workers in geothermal and offshore wind sectors, CELT will analyze workforce needs and develop training programs in collaboration with industry, labor, and educational partners. This includes creating micro-credentials and certificate programs to enhance the geothermal workforce in Massachusetts.
- Research and Innovation: CELT will engage in research partnerships with Irish universities to secure funding for projects focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and electric costs.
STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT
Consul General of Ireland in Boston Síghle FitzGerald:
“I welcome the Clean Energy and Environmental Legacy Transition Initiative announced this morning which represents an exciting outcome of Governor Healey’s trade mission to Ireland in 2023. I’m particularly pleased that the work of the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Energy, Climate, and Marine (MaREI) at University College Cork has been the catalyst for further collaboration between higher education institutions in Ireland and Massachusetts.”
Jay Ash, President and CEO, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership:
“Part of leading is learning, and we learned a lot from our visit to Ireland about a leading collaboration in the clean tech space. MACP is pleased to see the Healey-Driscoll Administration methodically taking the steps necessary to seek out best practices from other jurisdictions and add our own Massachusetts-brand of leadership to produce impactful results for our residents, our economy and, hopefully, our planet. Massachusetts has every right to compete and win in the still emerging clean energy and environment space. CELT will help us achieve those objectives and more.”
Emily Reichert, CEO, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center:
“Building and mobilizing a diverse clean energy workforce requires us to lean in and learn from international partners like our friends in Ireland. CELT is an exciting addition to the Commonwealth’s workforce development toolbox, and it will complement the MassCEC programs empowering clean energy workers and employers across Massachusetts."
Mary Sugrue, CEO, Irish American Partnership:
“We commend the Healey-Driscoll Administration on the launch of the CELT Initiative and the international partnerships that led to it. In drawing inspiration from the innovations at Science Foundation Ireland’s Research Centre and University College Cork, UMass Lowell and Boston University, along with the administration, have advanced the clean energy transition here in Massachusetts, bringing us closer to achieving climate goals. This collaboration enhances and strengthens the Commonwealth’s research and innovation partnerships across the Atlantic and we applaud the vision and leadership of all partners.”
Nikki Bruno, Vice President of Clean Energy Technologies, Eversource:
“Massachusetts is a national leader with its equity-focused approach to the clean energy transition, and this new initiative will help build on those efforts while supporting continued development of the highly skilled, diverse workforce we need to build our shared clean energy future. Our first-in-the-nation networked geothermal project in Framingham exemplifies Massachusetts’ leadership on innovation and collaboration, which also represents the great opportunity for workforce development in this space. We’re proud to work with the Administration and stakeholders across the commonwealth every day to achieve decarbonization goals in an equitable manner, and we look forward to the CELT initiative serving as a strong complement to our forward-looking approach in Massachusetts.”
Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director, Massachusetts Municipal Association:
“We are very excited about the Clean Energy and Environmental Legacy Transition Initiative and the partnership behind it. Our members deeply appreciate any and all assistance to help them meet local climate and decarbonization goals, and the on-demand technical assistance to municipalities and outreach to smaller communities couldn’t come at a better time. We applaud the CELT’s approach to partner with existing grant programs that local governments know well, like MVP and Green Communities.”
Joe Curtatone, President, The Alliance for Climate Transition:
"The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s CELT Initiative exemplifies bold leadership and a forward-thinking approach to growing our economy and jobs, advancing clean energy, and environmental equity. By leveraging innovative partnerships with UMass Lowell and Boston University and drawing inspiration from innovation and leadership at the local level, this initiative not only positions Massachusetts as a leader in clean energy but also empowers communities and builds a diverse workforce essential for a thriving climate economy and sustainable future."
Zeyneb Magavi, Executive Director, HEET:
“This initiative aligns perfectly with the conversations we are having with people and organizations both in our communities here in Massachusetts and around the globe. The best way to accelerate a clean energy future is through collaboration and partnerships. We need a realistic plan to build a ready and diverse workforce and I believe the structure the Healey-Driscoll Administration has outlined with CELT will move us in that direction. We are grateful to the administration for this leading new initiative.”
Media Contacts:
Emily_GowdeyBackus@uml.edu, director of media relations
Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu, assistant director of media relations