Leading by Example Tools and Resources

The Leading by Example Program develops resources and guidance documents for Massachusetts state agencies, authorities, and public institutions of higher education to help meet and track progress towards the targets set forth in Executive Order 594.

This page lists tools and resources developed by the Leading by Example Division and partner entities to support state entities with efforts related to tracking greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to clean transportation technologies, adopting sustainable landscaping practices, and partaking in general sustainability efforts.

For any questions or more information, please contact Sophia Vitello at [e-mail] or 617-626-7353.

FY26 LBE Tracking Form

FY26 LBE Tracking Form coming Fall 2026! 

This annual form tracks data related to energy usage, renewables, vehicle fleets, charging station deployment, and other sustainability efforts at state agencies and campuses.

Tracking Tools

• Massachusetts Energy Insight - This tool allows LBE partners to view past energy use, view GHG emissions progress, generate reports on energy consumption, and more.
• Commonwealth Energy Intelligence System - This program, managed by DCAMM, provides state facilities with access to real-time metering, building management system integration, utility bill management and building energy analytics.

Greenhouse Gas Calculator

• LBE Conversions and GHG Emissions Calculator - This calculator translates energy units, such as electricity, oil, and natural gas, into GHG emissions and social math (eg, emissions equivalent to number of cars on the road).

Transportation

Electric Vehicles

• OSD Vehicle Acquisition & Maintenance Contracts - Access user guides for contracts related to the procurement of vehicle acquisition, rentals, maintenance, services and supplies.

Electric Vehicle Charging/ EV Supply Equipment (EVSE)

• LBE Scope of Services for Fleet EV Charging - This document provides template language for partners to utilize when procuring EV charging stations, particularly those intended for fleet use.

Renewables and Clean Energy Resources

• MassCEC Production Tracking System - This system lets state facilities register their installations, track the amount of electricity being produced, and more. Note that a log-in is required. 
• MassCEC Resiliency Toolkit - Integrating renewable energy into facilities and community electric grids can help make them more resilient during outages. The MassCEC Clean Energy and Resiliency (CLEAR) program developed a toolkit to help facilities conduct a preliminary analysis of the cost and resources that would be required to undertake such a project before hiring a consultant. 

Energy Efficiency and Demand Response

• DOER Clean Heating and Cooling - The DOER Renewable Energy Division has compiled introductory information on clean heating and cooling technologies, as well as incentives for residential, business, and government operations.
• DOER Energy Efficiency Resources and Tools - The DOER Energy Efficiency Division has compiled resources for energy practitioners, businesses, and more to help entities learn best practices and access fiscal and technical assistance.

Sustainable Landscaping

Pollinator Habitats

• Interagency Pollinator Meadow and Garden BMP 3.16.22 - This two-page BMP is modeled after best practices developed and recommended by the DCR Pollinator Team, including guidance around site preparation, watering and weeding, and mowing. Guidance is intended to be broadly applicable to most state facilities, but may be adjusted to fit site-specific needs.
• Growing Wild for Pollinators Signs - Signage can help educate the public and show intentionality of limited-mow zones and wildflower meadows. Visit the Growing Wild Massachusetts: Resources to Get Your Started Growing Wild page to download signs that can be placed in pollinator habitat and help educate the public.
• Massachusetts Native Plant Palette - A website application from the Commonwealth's Water Resources Commission that allows users to explore native plants and create lists ("plant palettes") which they can then bring with them to their local nurseries or garden centers. 
• Additional Pollinator Habitat Info and Resources - If you would like additional resources, including websites and resources related to creating and maintaining pollinator habitats in the Northeast US, please reach out to the LBE team ([e-mail]). 

Battery-Powered Landscape Equipment

• LBE Battery-Powered Landscaping Equipment Resources Guide - This one-page guidance acts as a one-stop shop for the various informational resources and incentives available to public entities to support their transition to BPLE.
• Commercial Battery-Powered Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Calculator - Compares the fiscal and environmental costs and benefits between commercial battery-powered landscape equipment and traditional gasoline-powered landscape equipment.
• OSD's Environmentally Preferable Products Program: Commercial BPLE - OSD's EPP program page contains information on statewide contracts and additional tools and resources to support state facility adoption of battery-powered landscaping equipment.

Other Sustainability

• MassDEP RecyclingWorks - RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is a recycling assistance program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and delivered under contract by CET that helps businesses and institutions reduce waste and maximize recycling, reuse, and food recovery opportunities.
• EPP Program - Environmentally Preferable Products and Services on Statewide Contracts - The Operational Services Division's EPP program offers thousands of environmentally preferable products and services on statewide contracts. This website includes summaries of these offerings and links to relevant contracts.