Climate Groups Applaud Mayor Wu’s Renewable Energy and Efficiency Programs for Boston’s Environmental Justice Neighborhoods

Boston, MA – On Monday, Mayor Wu announced two new programs to increase access to renewable energy and energy efficiency in East Boston, an environmental justice neighborhood facing some of the highest levels of industrial pollution in the region. 

The Solarize Eastie program is a pilot program designed to increase solar panel installations and battery storage in the community by reducing barriers for low and moderate-income residents to participate. The program will use a collective purchasing model to reduce costs for residents by aggregating demand and securing a discounted price per watt. It will offer a 15% discount below the average cost of solar installation, with upfront subsidies available for income eligible building owners and no-cost options. The City is partnering with local environmental justice organization GreenRoots to launch the program. 

The Community First partnership with MassSave will bring energy efficiency and savings to residents, small businesses, local nonprofits, and houses of worship in East Boston as well as Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan. All four of these environmental justice communities have had historically disproportionately low participation in the program due to existing inequities. This program will offer no-cost home energy assessments to identify energy-saving opportunities, and MassSave sponsors will cover 100% of approved upgrades. Both the Community First partnership and Solarize Eastie are being supported by the American Rescue Plan Act funds.

In response, Michele Brooks, Boston Lead Organizer, issued the following statement:

“The Massachusetts Sierra Club is excited by the announcement of these two programs which seek to break down existing barriers and inequities for low and moderate-income communities of color like East Boston to participate in and benefit from the clean energy economy. We know that for far too long clean energy has been seen as a luxury; something only wealthy white communities could afford. These programs shift that message and demonstrate that equitable access to clean energy is possible for all. This is a key component of the Green New Deal for Boston.”

John Walkey, Director of Waterfront and Climate Justice Initiatives at GreenRoots, issued the following statement: 

“The general public is increasingly aware of the need to transition to renewable energy sources because of the climate crisis. We are so happy to partner with the City of Boston on the Solarize Eastie pilot project because that need is going to be specifically addressed for those too often left out of the adoption of these technologies. This is so important for our community.”