Medford Secures $300K Grant to Help Underserved Residents Save Money and Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels

Electrify Medford outreach campaign will promote energy efficiency, renewables, and electrification 

(MEDFORD) — The City has secured a $300,000 grant to expand public outreach and strengthen support specifically for underrepresented and underserved communities interested in decarbonizing their homes and vehicles through energy efficiency; solar; and electrification of heating, water heating, appliances, and electric vehicles, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced. The grant is from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) EmPower Massachusetts program. 

EmPower Massachusetts invests in community-focused programs that provide access to the benefits of clean energy or reduce energy burden for previously underserved or vulnerable populations in the Commonwealth. Medford’s program, Electrify Medford, will seek to educate residents on available resources and help them make these changes in their own homes. Options will be available for all residents, and EmPower funding will specifically support efforts under the program to reach residents with historically less access to clean energy and energy efficiency programs such as multilingual populations, renters, environmental justice (EJ) communities, and communities impacted by environmental hazards, and will offer stipends for income-eligible participants to aid them in moving forward with projects. 

“Cost barriers and lack of understanding of the resources available can prevent our community from taking advantage of these technologies in large numbers,” said Mayor Lungo-Koehn. “This grant, secured thanks to our Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability, will aid our efforts to promote climate justice, reduce our carbon emissions, and ease the financial burden of rising energy costs on our community.” 

“As we reduce the reliance of City buildings on fossil fuels, we also want to empower residents to do the same in their own homes,” said Alicia Hunt, Director of Planning, Development, and Sustainability. “If you are interested in this project and want to help your fellow residents learn more, consider signing up to be a volunteer or coach.” 

Electrify Medford will begin outreach efforts in the coming months, with community partners that include the Medford Energy and Environment Committee and 350 Mass Mystic Valley. If you are interested in learning more about becoming an energy coach or event volunteer with this project, visit bit.ly/electrify-medford. Stipends may be available for eligible coaches. 

“Transitioning to clean energy both helps our environment and helps people save money,” said MassCEC CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “The targeted focus on previously underserved populations as a part of the City of Medford’s Electrify Medford campaign will help residents explore these opportunities, especially those that need it most. We’re proud our EmPower Massachusetts program is supporting communities as they work to accelerate the distribution of clean energy and tackle the climate challenge in an equitable way.” 

About MassCEC  

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts. 

About EmPower Massachusetts  

EmPower Massachusetts is an initiative to support the exploration, development, and implementation of program models or projects that provide access to the benefits of clean energy for previously underserved populations in Massachusetts. For more information, please visit the EmPower website.