Our May meeting is a collaboration with the Building Electrification Accelerator. Our goal is to provide an update on networked geothermal initiatives, and on neighborhood electrification policy and advocacy, along with a brief legislative update. Here is the agenda:

• Update on HEET KickStart Mass initiative – Funded by Mass CEC, this HEET initiative aims to accelerate the development of networked geothermal projects in Massachusetts. We’ll discuss key takeaways from the KickStart communities and an update on the Framingham networked geothermal pilot expansion.
• Neighborhood electrification – Steps for municipalities and advocates to explore alternatives to pipe replacement projects:

• Update on Newton model developed by advocates and city councilors, including the economic analysis of electrification vs. pipe replacement and their requests to the Department of Public Utilities
• Mothers Out Front/350 Mass campaign to educate municipal officials and others about neighborhood electrification, its viability, and the need to change GSEP spending on gas pipeline replacements

• Legislative update – Key takeaways from Sen. Creem’s Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming hearing on April 1, “Federal Climate Retrenchment and Its Impact on the Commonwealth.” And updates on our three priority bills: 

• S2249/HD3405: An Act relative to a Tactical Transition to Affordable, Clean Thermal Energy
• S2298/H3446: An Act relative to municipal voices in gas utility work
• S533/H1013: An Act establishing the Municipal Reforestation Program