The Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC) is offering subawards through the "Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid – Formula Grants to States and Indian Tribes" funding opportunity. This program is designed to improve energy reliability and resilience within Massachusetts, aligning with MassCEC's broader mission to advance clean energy solutions and support the Commonwealth's energy goals. The initiative aims to reduce the frequency and cost of power outages, particularly benefiting communities and underserved populations, including environmental justice communities (EJCs) and disadvantaged communities (DACs).
The program's core objectives include identifying and funding projects that enhance energy reliability and resilience, supporting clean energy and decarbonization efforts like building electrification, and advancing equity, environmental justice, and energy justice priorities in line with the Justice40 Initiative. A key focus is also on creating good-paying jobs with the option for union membership, integrating social and economic benefits into the energy transition. These objectives collectively form MassCEC's strategic priorities for this grant, aiming for a holistic impact on the state's energy infrastructure and workforce.
Target beneficiaries for these subawards are primarily communities and underserved populations, with a specific emphasis on EJCs and DACs, who are disproportionately affected by energy insecurity and outages. The program seeks to achieve impact goals such as reducing the cost and number of outages, enhancing system adaptive capacity during disruptive events, and promoting equitable sharing of program benefits. The anticipated outcomes include a more resilient and reliable electric grid, increased adoption of clean energy technologies, and job creation in the clean energy sector, all contributing to a more just and sustainable energy future for Massachusetts.
Measurable results are expected through the implementation of various eligible projects, which include weatherization, fire-resistant technologies, monitoring and control systems, undergrounding electrical equipment, utility pole management, relocation or reconductoring of power lines, vegetation management, and the use or construction of distributed energy resources like microgrids and battery storage. The total funding currently available is $9,209,845, with project periods potentially extending up to ten years to ensure comprehensive completion of subaward efforts. The theory of change underpinning this program is that by investing in advanced grid technologies and resilient infrastructure, coupled with a focus on equity and job creation, Massachusetts can achieve significant improvements in energy reliability, reduce vulnerability for at-risk communities, and accelerate its clean energy transition.
