Emily Reichert, CEO, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
In an interview with Invest:, Emily Reichert, CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, discussed the state’s pioneering role in addressing climate change. Reichert emphasized the significance of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s $1 billion climatetech initiative, which will bolster the climatetech industry, foster new technologies, and enhance workforce development.
Why has clean energy become such a major focus for Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has historically been a leader in various movements, starting from the American Revolution. This pioneering spirit extends to our approach to climate change. Recognizing these threats early on, Massachusetts leveraged its strengths in innovation and impactful legislation. For example, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008 and the Green Communities Act of 2008 were early efforts to mandate reductions in carbon emissions and support municipalities to achieve emission reductions, respectively. The implementation of these policies required advanced technology and innovation, alongside a workforce capable of supporting this growing industry.
We initially focused on solar and onshore wind energy, but as understanding of the climate crisis deepened, we recognized the need to address carbon emissions across all sectors — not just electricity. Today, Massachusetts is tackling emissions in buildings, transportation, industrial processes, and agriculture, as well as the technologies we will need to adapt to climate change and build resilience. Our companies and innovators are at the forefront, devising solutions to meet these complex challenges, continuing our commitment to both our planet and the Commonwealth.
We recognize that the climate challenge presents us with a unique economic opportunity to be the climate innovation lab for the world. By investing in the clean energy and climatetech sector, we can create good jobs for residents, stimulate local economies, and provide climate solutions that will benefit the nation and the world. This innovation is already happening across Massachusetts – low-carbon cement is being manufactured in Holyoke, green steel is being produced in Woburn, and offshore wind anchor technology is being developed in Chelmsford. We want these innovators to stay, scale, and succeed in Massachusetts.
What specific programs are in place to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 in Massachusetts?
The Healey-Driscoll Administration emphasizes a whole-of-government approach to tackling climate change, not confined to any single agency. We’re focusing on the major carbon-emitting sectors in Massachusetts and doing so in an equity-focused way: electricity, buildings, and transportation. For electricity, we are administering solar energy incentives to reach disadvantaged populations and supporting the launch of significant offshore wind projects, like the Vineyard I turbines already generating electricity off Martha’s Vineyard. And we’re investing in port infrastructure like MassCEC’s offshore wind terminals in New Bedford and Salem. In the building sector, we’re upgrading insulation and lighting, and integrating new technologies like heat pumps and energy storage to reduce emissions. For transportation, our efforts are directed toward increasing electric vehicle adoption, establishing necessary charging infrastructure, and supporting the electrification of commercial fleets, including ride-share options like Uber and Lyft. By addressing these sectors, we’re working collaboratively with residents and businesses to progress daily toward our goals, striving to be a model for decarbonization efforts far beyond Massachusetts.
How will the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s $1.3 billion climatetech initiative impact the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s strategy over the next decade?
The Mass Leads Act represents a historic investment in Massachusetts’s future economic growth. Reflecting on our past successes, such as the billion-dollar investment in the life sciences sector under the Patrick Administration fifteen years ago, we see that innovation can drive significant impact. That investment brought 18 of the world’s top 20 life science companies to Massachusetts, demonstrating the profound effect such funding can have. Like life sciences, the climatetech industry is set to expand significantly, spurred by a new $1.3 billion investment, which will serve as a catalyst for growth. According to an analysis by the Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, this initiative would generate $16.4 billion in economic activity and create nearly 7,000 new jobs, representing a 12-1 return on investment.
We are starting from a strong position, with numerous young companies emerging from our universities, where students and faculty are developing cutting-edge technologies to tackle climate change. These startups are supported by larger organizations and are bolstered by a supportive policy environment and municipalities throughout the Commonwealth eager to adopt new technologies.
For the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, this funding will be transformative. It will allow us to support young companies and university researchers today and help companies grow, scale, and maintain their operations within Massachusetts tomorrow. This includes fostering partnerships, and facilitating testing, demonstration, and early deployment of technologies.
Additionally, the funding will help spread the economic benefits of the climatetech sector across the Commonwealth, aiding in the development of clusters in specific areas, like industrial decarbonization in Worcester and Western Massachusetts. Lastly, it will enhance our competitiveness in attracting climatetech companies from outside Massachusetts, supported by targeted tax incentives. This holistic approach not only draws from our strong foundation in innovation but also ensures that Massachusetts remains a leader in climatetech development.
How is the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center addressing workforce development for the region?
Workforce development is a critical focus for us. Our assessment from the summer of 2023 indicated that we need to add 38,000 jobs in the next five years to meet the demands of climate-critical roles. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center plays a pivotal role in this area. We support various training programs, targeting different educational levels — from middle schools to vocational schools to community colleges — and focus on upskilling those already in the energy industry to transition to new, vital careers.
For new entrants, we’re emphasizing roles in installing technologies like heat pumps and EV charging systems, which offer trained workers good wagess. We’ve designed our support structure around three types of grants: planning grants to help training providers design their programs, capacity building grants to assist with initial program staffing, and direct support for the training itself, whether through community colleges, vocational schools, or private providers. This strategic approach is essential for us to build the necessary infrastructure and capacity to facilitate the energy transition in our state.
Equity and environmental justice are core components of the climate strategy. How do you ensure that benefits are equitably distributed?
This transition must be a just transition. From a workforce perspective, it is integral to everything we do, including our Workforce Equity programs. MassCEC’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Support Grant program focuses on collaborations that enhance these businesses’ their capacity to provide this training. Additionally, we ensure our Workforce Equity and EmPower programs reach a variety of communities, particularly Environmental Justice and low-income neighborhoods. We also target middle and high schools to expose students early to the opportunities available in this industry, emphasizing the potential to attain a good paying job and build a fulfilling career.
What do you see as the most pressing challenges for the clean energy strategy?
The primary challenge is the sheer number of people needed to meet our climate goals — 38,000 workers are needed quickly. Scaling our workforce programs and building the necessary infrastructure to support this influx is critical. Another challenge is ensuring the sustainability and growth of new enterprises emerging from our local universities. Through initiatives like the Mass Leads Act, we aim to provide economic development tools, such as tax incentives and support for capital expenditures, to help these companies thrive. This not only addresses our immediate challenges but also positions Massachusetts as a global hub for climate innovation.
