Sustainable Middleborough
in Action
For seven years we have been on fire! Our committed volunteers show up—and keep showing up—
at Town Hall, community events, our own events, and the State House. See what we’ve accomplished and how it can help you.
Local Policy Advocacy
We are grateful we have public power here, with low rates and excellent service, run by a democratically elected board. In 2018 we started attending monthly Middleborough Gas & Electric Commission meetings. We also asked for meetings regularly with managers and staff. By showing up, we have been an active voice in many local policy decisions that affect you right here in Middleborough. Click on each item to read more:
Low-income discounted rates
One of our first asks was discounted rates on gas and electricity, not just for seniors but also for low-income customers. Most utilities in the country have such rates, but few municipal utilities do. In 2023 MGED began offering a 5% discount on gas and electricity to qualifying low-income households (you can apply here), with 30 days to receive an additional prompt payment discount of 10%.
Higher rebates for low-income households
We also asked MGED for two other policies to help low/moderate-income households. In 2023 the utility doubled most of its rebates, with higher caps, for low-income customers.
0% loan program for energy efficiency
Most useful of all, we argued, is a loan program for low/moderate-income households. In 2024 MGED partnered with Taunton Federal Credit Union to offer loans on heat pumps, weatherization, and heat pump water heaters. Households under the state median income can get 0% interest. All other households can get a reduction of 3 interest points. (Also in 2024 the Mass Community Climate Bank started offering a low-interest loan, with terms that might work better for some households.)
Objecting to proposed rate increases
In 2024 a consultant recommended that MGED raise residential rates and lower commercial rates, and the commission seemed poised to approve the plan. We objected, saying commercial customers here are getting a good deal, paying about half what they would be charged by Eversource or National Grid. Shouldn’t the ratepayers, who are the owners of our public power system, get a price break? At the next meeting, managers told us they had reconsidered.
More accurate carbon accounting
When we first started asking where our electricity comes from in 2017, our utility was telling customers we were using 70% “clean energy.” However, it was reporting only 27% “non-emitting” electricity to the state. Once we understood a creative carbon accounting method called “double counting,” we asked our utility to to tell customers the same story it told the state. We were pleased when a new, more accurate system was put in place in April 2020 and has since been reported at every commission meeting.
WAY more non-emitting electricity
Early on we asked our utility to adopt two goals: 100% non-carbon-emitting electricity by 2030 and 100% renewable by 2050. Since then our utility has increased its nuclear contracts a lot, its renewable contracts somewhat, and committed to buying solar credits in town that become available. MGED now reports 65% or more carbon-free electricity, a dramatic jump from around 25% just 5-10 years ago.
Financing for commercial/multifamily building energy upgrades
We advocated hard with numerous town employees and our Select Board, asking the town to adopt the Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program, administered by MassDevelopment. PACE allows commercial and multifamily building owners to finance major energy-saving rehabs through a betterment program that can be paid off over 20 years, off the books. The program could potentially bring millions into town to rehabilitate and make buildings more efficient. In 2022 the Select Board voted yes, and Middleborough became an early PACE adopter. Now we’re working with our Planning Department to reach out to those building owners. Who will be the first to use PACE?
Shaving the peak to lower our electricity costs
On hot summer days our electricity is produced by the most carbon-emitting fossil-fuel plants, and prices can jump 1,000% in hours. About 40% of what we all pay for electricity goes toward 10% of the hours in a year. In collaboration with MGED, we’ve used our voice for education about shaving the peak to bring all our costs down, all year.
No biomass contract
We objected to signing an electricity contract with a proposed biomass plant that would emit air pollution in Springfield, the asthma capital of the country. One in 5 children in that city suffer from asthma. The decision was tabled and dropped.
Public Comment on the agenda
When we first started attending meetings, the commission chair said we had to request being on the agenda in advance. Sometimes we had to interrupt to comment on issues that came up, such as the biomass contract. Now Public Comment is always on the agenda.
“
“Sustainable Middleborough has taken a big step in committing a lot of resources and a lot of energy… Initially, when those folks started coming to our meetings and started questioning some of our practices, it was easy to feel threatened, or like we were being criticized.… But we came to the realization that these are our customers. We’re actually in agreement with the goals of Sustainable Middleborough. And we made a real effort to create a conversation and started to question ourselves about ‘Well, we think we can’t do this…. Well, why can’t we do this?… We really could do this.’ ”
– now retired MGED general manager Jackie Crowley,
at a webinar about municipal utilities and community engagement
Local Policy Advocacy
We are grateful we have public power here, with low rates and excellent service, run by a democratically elected board. In 2018 we started attending monthly Middleborough Gas & Electric Commission meetings. We also asked for meetings regularly with managers and staff. By showing up, we have been an active voice in many local policy decisions that affect you right here in Middleborough:
Low-income discounted rates
One of our first asks was discounted rates on gas and electricity, not just for seniors but also for low-income customers. Most utilities in the country have such rates, but few municipal utilities do. In 2023 MGED began offering a 5% discount on gas and electricity to qualifying low-income households (you can apply here), with 30 days to receive an additional prompt payment discount of 10%.
Higher rebates for low-income households
We also asked MGED for two other policies to help low/moderate-income households. In 2023 the utility doubled most of its rebates, with higher caps, for low-income customers.
0% loan program for energy efficiency
Most useful of all, we argued, is a loan program for low/moderate-income households. In 2024 MGED partnered with Taunton Federal Credit Union to offer loans on heat pumps, weatherization, and heat pump water heaters. Households under the state median income can get 0% interest. All other households can get a reduction of 3 interest points. (Also in 2024 the Mass Community Climate Bank started offering a low-interest loan, with terms that might work better for some households.)
Objecting to proposed rate increases
In 2024 a consultant recommended that MGED raise residential rates and lower commercial rates, and the commission seemed poised to approve the plan. We objected, saying commercial customers here are getting a good deal, paying about half what they would be charged by Eversource or National Grid. Shouldn’t the ratepayers, who are the owners of our public power system, get a price break? At the next meeting, managers told us they had reconsidered.
More accurate carbon accounting
When we first started asking where our electricity comes from in 2017, our utility was telling customers we were using 70% “clean energy.” However, it was reporting only 27% “non-emitting” electricity to the state. Once we understood a creative carbon accounting method called “double counting,” we asked our utility to to tell customers the same story it told the state. We were pleased when a new, more accurate system was put in place in April 2020 and has since been reported at every commission meeting.
WAY more non-emitting electricity
Early on we asked our utility to adopt two goals: 100% non-carbon-emitting electricity by 2030 and 100% renewable by 2050. Since then our utility has increased its nuclear contracts a lot, its renewable contracts somewhat, and committed to buying solar credits in town that become available. MGED now reports 65% or more carbon-free electricity, a dramatic jump from around 25% just 5-10 years ago.
Financing for commercial/multifamily building energy upgrades
We advocated hard with numerous town employees and our Select Board, asking the town to adopt the Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program, administered by MassDevelopment. PACE allows commercial and multifamily building owners to finance major energy-saving rehabs through a betterment program that can be paid off over 20 years, off the books. The program could potentially bring millions into town to rehabilitate and make buildings more efficient. In 2022 the Select Board voted yes, and Middleborough became an early PACE adopter. Now we’re working with our Planning Department to reach out to those building owners. Who will be the first to use PACE?
Shaving the peak to lower our electricity costs
On hot summer days our electricity is produced by the most carbon-emitting fossil-fuel plants, and prices can jump 1,000% in hours. About 40% of what we all pay for electricity goes toward 10% of the hours in a year. In collaboration with MGED, we’ve used our voice for education about shaving the peak to bring all our costs down, all year.
No biomass contract
We objected to signing an electricity contract with a proposed biomass plant that would emit air pollution in Springfield, the asthma capital of the country. One in 5 children in that city suffer from asthma. The decision was tabled and dropped.
Public Comment on the agenda
When we first started attending meetings, the commission chair said we had to request being on the agenda in advance. Sometimes we had to interrupt to comment on issues that came up, such as the biomass contract. Now Public Comment is always on the agenda.
“
“Sustainable Middleborough has taken a big step in committing a lot of resources and a lot of energy… Initially, when those folks started coming to our meetings and started questioning some of our practices, it was easy to feel threatened, or like we were being criticized.… But we came to the realization that these are our customers. We’re actually in agreement with the goals of Sustainable Middleborough. And we made a real effort to create a conversation and started to question ourselves about ‘Well, we think we can’t do this…. Well, why can’t we do this?… We really could do this.’ ”
– now retired MGED general manager Jackie Crowley,
at a webinar about municipal utilities and community engagement
Weatherization Navigator
In 2024 Sustainable Middleborough hired Hayden Kane to help guide residents here through the complicated process of weatherizing and upgrading their heating/cooling systems—and how to pay for it. We became a nonprofit and received a six-figure EmPower grant from the Mass Clean Energy Center to make this service available to people in our town. You can email our Weatherization Navigator here.
Weatherization Navigator
In 2024 Sustainable Middleborough hired Hayden Kane to help guide residents here through the complicated process of weatherizing and upgrading their heating/cooling systems—and how to pay for it. We became a nonprofit and received a six-figure EmPower grant from the Mass Clean Energy Center to make this service available to people in our town.
Cooler Middleborough Fairs
For two years we’ve cohosted Cooler Middleborough Fairs with the high school YESS Club and the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance. Students volunteered and exhibited their energy projects. Kids had tons of fun walking inside a life-size inflatable whale. Folks of all ages signed up for energy assessments, learned about incentives, and talked to local contactors and organizations about heat pumps, insulation, solar panels, and electric vehicles—all in one stop.
Cooler Middleborough Fairs
For two years we’ve cohosted Cooler Middleborough Fairs with the high school YESS Club and the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance. Students volunteered and exhibited their energy projects. Kids had tons of fun walking inside a life-size inflatable whale. Folks of all ages signed up for energy assessments, learned about incentives, and talked to local contactors and organizations about heat pumps, insulation, solar panels, and electric vehicles—all in one stop.
Weatherization Guide
We created a Weatherization Guide just for Middleborough residents, with the help of our first EmPower grant. The guide takes you step by step through the energy home-improvement process. It’s the only place where you can find every federal, state, and local rebate, tax credit, and financing you may be eligible for as a Middleborough resident. Click here to view our Weatherization Guide.
Weatherization Guide
We created a Weatherization Guide just for Middleborough residents, with the help of our first EmPower grant. The guide takes you step by step through the energy home-improvement process. It’s the only place where you can find every federal, state, and local rebate, tax credit, and financing you may be eligible for as a Middleborough resident.
Community Events
We show up around town! At community events—like the Herring Run Festival, First Fridays, and events put on by Soule Homestead, the library, Council on Aging, schools, and more—we’ve talked with hundreds of Middleborough residents one-on-one about their weatherization issues. We’ve found it’s one of the best ways to get to know people in town and what they need and care about. Nothing to sell, just good info, free goodies, and kids’ activities. Come say hi when you see our table.
Community Events
We show up around town! At community events—like the Herring Run Festival, First Fridays, and events put on by Soule Homestead, the library, Council on Aging, schools, and more—we’ve talked with hundreds of Middleborough residents one-on-one about their weatherization issues. We’ve found it’s one of the best ways to get to know people in town and what they need and care about. Nothing to sell, just good info, free goodies, and kids’ activities. Come say hi when you see our table.
Free Workshops
We regularly offer free community workshops, show films, and host events like a Climate Café at a local bakery. Most have videos you can still watch:
Is Solar Right for You? (10/7/23), with Sam Kooharian of EnergySage and Dan Hotchkiss of Sustainable Middleborough
Insulate Middleborough, with Inflation Reduction Act Incentives (10/22/22), with Loie Hayes, energy efficiency specialist at Green Energy Consumers Alliance, and Sen. Marc Pacheco
Read More…
A Crash Course on State Climate Bills (1/27/20), with Jacob Stern of Sierra Club Massachusetts
Under Pressure (12/18/19), a documentary film about the Merrimack Valley gas explosions by charter school students, cohosted with the YESS Club at Middleborough High School
All about Carbon Accounting (7/15/19), with Brian Foulds, now a Concord Municipal Light Plant commissioner
Climate Café: Renewable Energy 101 (2/23/19), with Mass Audubon and Green Energy Consumers Alliance at Battistini’s Bakery
Young Voices for the Planet, (1/12/19), with two Lexington teens who reversed a town policy
What Is Carbon Pricing? And How Can It Help Us in Massachusetts? (9/25/17), with Dr. Marc Breslow of ClimateXChange
Free Workshops
We regularly offer free community workshops, show films, and host events like a Climate Café at a local bakery. Most have videos you can still watch:
Is Solar Right for You? (10/7/23), with Sam Kooharian of EnergySage and Dan Hotchkiss of Sustainable Middleborough
Insulate Middleborough, with Inflation Reduction Act Incentives (10/22/22), with Loie Hayes, energy efficiency specialist at Green Energy Consumers Alliance, and Sen. Marc Pacheco
Read More…
A Crash Course on State Climate Bills (1/27/20), with Jacob Stein of Sierra Club Massachusetts
Under Pressure (12/18/19), a documentary film about the Merrimack Valley gas explosions by charter school students, cohosted with the YESS Club at Middleborough High School
All about Carbon Accounting (7/15/19), with Brian Foulds, now a Concord Municipal Light Plant commissioner
Climate Café: Renewable Energy 101 (2/23/19), with Mass Audubon and Green Energy Consumers Alliance at Battistini’s Bakery
Young Voices for the Planet, (1/12/19), with two Lexington teens who reversed a town policy
What Is Carbon Pricing? And How Can It Help Us in Massachusetts? (9/25/17), with Dr. Marc Breslow of ClimateXChange
Statewide Leadership
We have put Middleborough on the climate-advocacy map! Sustainable Middleborough is now a known voice in the statewide movement. When the state Department of Energy Resources proposed an inequitable distribution of federal-taxpayer-funded energy incentives in 2024, we led an advocacy movement among the 51 towns served by municipal utilities. We’ve regularly been invited by statewide organizations to give talks about our work on equitable energy efficiency, or how to make the best use of media, or how to use a municipal utility report card.
Statewide Leadership
We have put Middleborough on the clean-energy map! Sustainable Middleborough is now a known voice in the statewide climate advocacy movement. When the state Department of Energy Resources proposed an inequitable distribution of federal-taxpayer-funded energy incentives in 2024, we led an advocacy movement among the 51 towns served by municipal utilities. We’ve regularly been invited by statewide organizations to give talks about our work on equitable energy efficiency, or how to make the best use of media, or how to use a municipal utility report card.
Legislative Advocacy
State policy affects most of us far more than federal policy. We have relationships with all four of Middleborough’s state legislators—Sen. Marc Pacheco, Reps. Kathy LaNatra, Norman Orrall, and Susan Gifford—and importantly, we’ve learned, with their aides as well. We follow our state’s two-year legislative cycle and write concise action guides so you can call or write at three critical points in that cycle and know what you’re talking about.
EnergySage Partnership
We have partnered with independent consultant EnergySage to help Middleborough residents find reliable solar installers and calculate a cost-benefit analysis before making any decisions. Getting solar panel estimates from salespeople can feel high pressure and overwhelming. Plus Middleborough’s low electricity rates means the payback period is longer, changing the cost-benefit calculation. An EnergySage consultation is free, and you don’t have to give contact info to salespeople until you’re ready.
Legislative Advocacy
State policy affects most of us far more than federal policy. We have relationships with all four of Middleborough’s state legislators—Sen. Marc Pacheco, Reps. Kathy LaNatra, Norman Orrall, and Susan Gifford—and importantly, we’ve learned, their aides. We follow our state’s two-year legislative cycle and write concise action guides so you can call or write at three critical points in that cycle and know what you’re talking about.
EnergySage Partnership
We have partnered with independent consultant EnergySage to help Middleborough residents find reliable solar installers and calculate a cost-benefit analysis before making any decisions. Getting solar panel estimates from salespeople can feel high pressure and overwhelming. Plus Middleborough’s low electricity rates means the payback period is longer, changing the cost-benefit calculation. An EnergySage consultation is free, and you don’t have to give contact info to salespeople until you’re ready.
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