'plugIN MetroWest' Hopes To Shift Homeowners Away From Fossil Fuels

News release from MassEnergize.

NATICK, MA — MassEnergize launched “plugIN Metrowest,” (https://pluginmetrowest.org) a community outreach effort to reach, inform, and encourage MetroWest homeowners to shift away from fossil fuels that contribute to global warming and transition to electrification. The campaign specifically focuses on rooftop solar, community solar, and heat pumps (that heat and cool homes).

The effort is coordinated by MassEnergize and led by sustainability managers and volunteers in Acton, Wayland, Framingham, and Natick. As our planet continues to warm (2023 being the hottest on record) electrification is a key climate action to reduce emissions. A heat pump can reduce emissions by up to 93 percent compared with gas furnaces. Rooftop solar panels use 12 times less carbon to generate electricity than natural gas, and 20 times less than coal. And community solar (a solar array that homeowners and renters can select to source their power) can help community members to offset energy consumption with a renewable source and lower their electric bills. The switch from gas to electrification also improves home indoor and outdoor air quality – a welcomed outcome in achieving healthier homes and a healthier MetroWest.

“We are learning with our community partners about what their communities know about moving to heat pumps and solar, and how to spark greater adoption to scale electrification,” said Nathan Scott, Executive Director of MassEnergize. “This effort is essential to determine how best to scale electrification and other climate actions.”

“We are thrilled to have the support of MassEnergize as we embark on innovative approaches to electrify with our neighboring towns,” remarked Anne Harris, Co-Chair of the Wayland’s Energy and Climate Committee

“The plugIN campaign is an example of what should be happening throughout our state and the country to work at the community level to address global warming,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). “I’m continuing to work with colleagues to support efforts like that of MassEnergize to ensure we can meet our carbon reduction targets and have a resilient future.”

In June 2023, Senator Eldridge announced that he secured $100,000 in the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for MassEnergize to promote home electrification. Due to revenue shortfalls, the Healey administration reduced funding for many state-funded projects by 50% in January 2024. This resulted in a final funding amount of $50,000 for the plugIN campaign.