Energy and Environmental Mission

The Energy and Environmental Services Program provides technical and research support for innovative energy and environmental technologies. The two main activities that are implemented in this program are Research and Technology Transfer. In addition, the focus of the program is very diverse, in that we cover areas including basic statewide economic development issues, pollution prevention, and technology implementation and training. The program has a Massachusetts focus but also provides service throughout the Northeast Region.
The environmental impact from energy efficiency programs and the use of renewable resources for energy production are significant. These programs have a beneficial effect on contaminated air and water emissions and greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency and renewable energy development are part of national Climate Change efforts to meet the targets of the Kyoto agreements. Other new issues are raised by renewable energy use such as land use issues, marine environmental issues and visual and noise pollution. The displacement of fossil fuel as a power source also minimizes environmental degradation caused by the extraction, processing, and transportation of fossil fuels. Improvements to environmental quality are often achieved as a byproduct of an effort to reduce energy consumption or to divert and limit use of nonrenewable natural resources. Energy demand can be reduced through pollution prevention programs. Environmental benefits resulting from energy programs are more attractive when defined in advance. Specific programs that are currently active in the Center include environmental control technologies, pollution prevention, waste minimization, reuse, and environmentally sustainable building technologies. Additional linkages between the energy programs and their environmental outcomes are integral to Commonwealth sponsored activities.

Training and Education

CEERE is the program administrator for the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Partnership. MAEEP supports deployment of energy efficient technology and tools to the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors. The MAEEP Program delivers its value through a combination of stakeholder input, technology transfer, education and outreach, and research. The MAEEP program leverages resources from USDOE, the University of Massachusetts and Massachusetts Electric Utilities, NSTAR, MECO and WMECO, in partnership. All partners work together to identify opportunities to improve the efficient use of electricity and other fuels, improve productivity, and minimize waste in manufacturing and facility operation. Programs held by MAEEP include partial or all day general awareness and technical training sessions with information that will lead to implementation of energy efficiency improvements. The primary purpose of these training sessions is to educate, inform and equip end-users with tools to identify implementation improvements. Programs typically include introduction to advanced technologies, tools for understanding the benefits of implementing improvements, and opportunities to make use of resources available through grants or incentives, such as utility rebate programs.
For more information about the partnership, go to the program web page at www.maeep.org

Technology Transfer

CEERE provides information on energy related environmental issues for use by state agencies, utilities, and consumers. CEERE offers technical assistance related to these environmental issues through a technology transfer system including public access to research databases and revenue based support.
CEERE is currently supporting a technology transfer initiative, the Massachusetts Stormwater Evaluation Project (www.mastep.net) which is an outgrowth of the state initiated Strategic Envirotechnology Partnership. The goal of this project is to provide technology transfer information about innovative stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) to MADEP, conservation commissions, local officials, and other BMP users to help them make appropriate technology implementation decisions. Our objective is to assist communities to maximize environmental benefits of grant programs by focusing efforts on technologies that have the most promising potential to reach specific water quality objectives.. In other areas the Center has strong capabilities include: pollution prevention and waste reduction measures for industry, non point source pollution, and hazardous waste remediation.

Technical Support for Policy Development

Technical support is provided to state agencies for the development of policies related to energy and environmental activities. In particular, air quality and Climate Change issues are directly related to the beneficial use of energy. Environmental and energy policies must be constructively integrated to achieve an optimal policy that will support a Massachusetts Climate Change Initiative. CEERE's efforts to examine energy related environmental issues and pollution prevention measures are provided to the appropriate agencies involved in the Commonwealth's environmental agenda. CEERE Staff participate in state and federal stakeholder groups providing technical expertise in stormwater management, energy and environmental assistance.

Modified 04/11/06