BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration released the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) 2024 End of Year Report highlighting key milestones and accomplishments from our agencies.
Over the past year government officials, stakeholders, and partners worked collaboratively to build healthier, and more sustainable communities. From the passage of landmark climate legislation to new programs to combat inland flooding, EEA has made important strides in making Massachusetts the best place to live and raise a family.
“The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is on the frontlines of climate change, lowering energy costs, and helping people get outside and enjoy our beautiful state,” said Governor Healey. “All of this work is done in the spirit of collaboration, equity, and affordability. I’m grateful to Secretary Tepper, our commissioners, and the over 3,000 hardworking staff that serve our residents.”
“In 2024, we took major steps forward to cut down on permitting timelines and build more resilient communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “In the past two years, we’ve invested over $453 million in grants to help electrify our homes, get people playing outside, expand our tree canopy, and support our farmers. The innovation and dedication of all involved is boundless. I’m excited for what we can accomplish in the next year.”
“In the past year Massachusetts faced numerous challenges, record-breaking droughts and fires served as a reminder of what is at stake in the clean energy transition,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Our annual report demonstrates the remarkable commitment our organizations have towards achieving energy independence and building stronger communities. We’re proud to present a summary of our work thus far and we are looking forward to a new year of opportunities.”
Some of the highlights from EEA’s year include:
- Governor Maura Healey signed into law a landmark climate bill, advancing clean energy, community engagement, cumulative impacts, and community benefits plans
- Governor Healey also signed the Mass Leads Act to accelerate clean energy development and support the climatetech industry
- EEA awarded over $240 million to 1,545 individual grantees who are doing impactful work across the state
- EEA launched the Massachusetts “Climate Action is for All of Us” Campaign highlighting meaningful ways individuals can take sustainable actions
- The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded over $52 million Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness action grants
- DEP launched the first-in-the-nation cumulative impact analysis regulations for air permits
- DCR welcomed their first Indigenous People’s Partnership Coordinator
- The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinated Council awarded $50 million to electric vehicle charging infrastructure and innovation initiatives
- MOOR established ‘Trails for All’ a statewide initiative to review, upgrade and build universally accessible trails
- EEA also helped secure over $1 billion in federal funding for climate initiatives, including low-cost solar and heat pumps
- Massachusetts was recognized as a national leader in food waste reduction
- DPU made significant strides in reshaping rate structures to advance electrification and make energy more affordable
- DEP invested $775,000 to install affordable air quality sensors in environmental justice communities
- Massachusetts was first state in the nation to test all 95 of our licensed dairy herds for High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI) and return 100% negative results
- MDAR awarded $24.6 million in grants to ensure that fresh, healthy, local food is available to all residents
- EEA launched its first Environmental Justice (EJ) Strategy, Language Access Plans and Public Involvement Plans to advance environmental justice and equity in its programs, policies, and regulations
- MassCEC announced the winners of its Embodied Carbon Reduction Challenge, a first-in-the-nation competition to reduce upfront carbon emissions in building projects.
