UPDATE: First Meeting of the Massachusetts Office of Energy Transformation (OET) Advisory Board

The newly formed Massachusetts Office of Energy Transformation (OET) Advisory Board, created with supporting recommendations from NEEEC, held its first meeting on September 30. Steve Cowell, NEEEC’s Executive Director, represented our organization as an appointed board member by Governor Healey. The meeting, led by OET’s Executive Director Melissa Lavinson, brought together over 50 key stakeholders from government agencies and organizations.

In addition to the full advisory board, three Focused Area Work Groups were established to tackle specific challenges in the transition to clean energy:

  • Everett Marine Terminal (EMT)
  • Decarbonizing the Peak (DTP)
  • Financing the Transition (FTT)

Steve Cowell will be actively participating in the Financing the Transition (FTT) group, where NEEEC’s expertise in identifying the financial requirements for this monumental shift will play a key role. These groups will meet regularly over the next six months to develop strategies and recommendations that will be presented to the state and legislature for consideration.

The key takeaway from the meeting is that the OET Advisory Board is now officially underway, and we are excited to see progress. With a focus on actionable recommendations, these work groups will drive solutions to help Massachusetts achieve its ambitious climate goals. Our recent research revealed that Massachusetts currently spends $14.5 billion annually on fossil fuels, highlighting the scale of the challenge ahead. NEEEC’s participation in these discussions ensures that we remain at the forefront of crafting the policies and strategies that will shape the energy transition for our state. Stay tuned for updates as the work groups continue their critical work.