State Appoints Lessard to State's New Fossil Fuel Workforce Commission

The Healy-Driscoll Administration has appointed Lawrence Lessard, Founder and Director of Achieve Renewable Energy, to the newly established Commission on Fossil Fuel Workforce. Created under the 2024 Climate Law, the Commission is tasked with supporting the state's clean energy transition. Its primary focus is to assess the impacts on workers in the fossil fuel industry, explore ways to expand employment and training opportunities in the clean energy sectors, and provide recommendations to the Legislature by the end of the year.

“Geothermal energy represents the most reliable and sustainable renewable energy source for year-round heating and cooling,” said Lawrence Lessard, a long-time resident of Marblehead. “Investing in the development of a skilled workforce is key to both securing the Commonwealth’s clean energy future and securing a sustainable future for workers like plumbers, pipefitters, excavators, and more who will lead this transition. I’m honored to join the Commission and contribute to preparing our workforce for the opportunities and transitions ahead.”

As Massachusetts works toward its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the Commission will work with the Office of Energy Transformation and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to create a framework to transition fossil fuel works to clean energy roles. This will include facilitating the adoption of a gas-to-electric infrastructure, such as geothermal, and providing necessary skills, training, and workforce development opportunities.

Lessard is widely recognized as a leading authority in geothermal energy, GeoExchange, and environmental consulting. His extensive experience includes designing and installing commercial, residential, and district geothermal systems and utilizing various ground heat exchangers. As the Founder and Director of Achieve Renewable Energy, he has over 17 years of experience communicating the benefits of ground source heat pump design and installations from the technical and complex to the economic, environmental, and legal implications. He is an accredited installer, a licensed construction supervisor, a Certified Geothermal Inspector, and a Certified GeoExchange Designer, one of three certified in Massachusetts.

In addition to his leadership at Achieve Renewable Energy, Lessard oversees Lessard Environmental, Inc., an environmental consulting and remediation firm providing substantial experience with assessment, containment, and removal actions critical to the site evaluation process. Its capabilities complement Achieve Renewable Energy’s mission, particularly in evaluating potential pilot locations through identification, review, and threat analysis related to environmental contamination near possible project sites.

Lessard also serves as President of the New England Geothermal Professional Association, an organization dedicated to advancing education in the geothermal industry in New England.