Mark Sylvia, Commissioner

Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources

Commissioner Sylvia
Commissioner was appointed at the beginning of Governor Patrick's second term to lead the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), which develops and implements policies and programs aimed at ensuring the adequacy, security, diversity, and cost-effectiveness of the Commonwealth's energy supply within the context of creating a cleaner energy future. He represents Massachusetts as a Director on the Boards of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Inc., the National Association of State Energy Officials (Northeast Region), and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

Sylvia served previously as the Director of DOER's Green Community Division, providing programs and guidance to help the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns transition to a cleaner energy future. In that role, he and his team oversaw the successful allocation of over $42 million in federal stimulus-funded Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants, and established criteria for and implemented the signature initiative of the Green Communities Act - designating 53 cities and towns as Green Communities, distributing over $8 million in Green Communities grants to municipalities in 2010, and preparing to award another $3.62 million in early 2011 to help newly designated communities make local investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Prior to joining the DOER in February, 2009, Sylvia was an official in Plymouth town government for over a decade, including serving as Assistant Town Manager and Acting Town Manager, before becoming Town Manager in 2005. Working closely with Plymouth's volunteer Energy Committee and professional staff, Sylvia helped lead numerous efforts in support of the Plymouth 2020 Plan - an initiative that set ambitious energy independence targets, including a goal to run all municipal buildings with renewable energy by the Town's 400th Anniversary. He led the team that negotiated a $37 million tax agreement and creation of a new Emergency Operations Center with Entergy Nuclear Power Company. Mark's experience also includes working as a contract consultant for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

Sylvia lives with his wife, son, and daughter in Fairhaven, where he served on the School Committee for six years and is the current elected Town Moderator. Mark earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration from The American University in Washington, D.C.



This information is provided by the Department of Energy Resources.