A report published by Environment Massachusetts in August features case studies of 21 cities and towns across the state that are leading the way to powering their communities entirely with renewable energy.

The report highlights the acceleration of municipal projects related to clean energy over the past three years. The examples range from well-known approaches, such as installing solar panels on school buildings and electrifying municipal buses, to emerging strategies, such as microgrids and battery storage.

The report reflects the state’s geographic diversity, with case studies from Martha’s Vineyard and Gosnold alongside Watertown, Sterling and Ashburnham, and Pittsfield.

The report is intended to bolster the case for a commitment to renewable energy throughout Massachusetts. The 100% Renewable Energy Act (H. 2836 and S. 1958), would transition the state to 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable heating and transportation power by 2045. The bills had a hearing before the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy in late July. Environment Massachusetts reports that 113 legislators have endorsed the bills.

The group released its first Renewable Communities report in 2016. The 2019 report is available at environmentmassachusettscenter.org/reports/mac/renewable-communities-2019.

The MMA’s 2020 Annual Meeting will include a workshop on innovations in municipal renewable energy.

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