Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Releases Inaugural Report from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration released the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) inaugural report highlighting key milestones and accomplishments by the agency in Governor Maura Healey’s first year. This report showcases the outstanding work done by EEA organizations and partners to ensure that Massachusetts climate goals are achieved. The report describes the EEA officials’ visits across the state and actions to identify and address climate-related goals, including but not limited to decarbonization, climate resilience, natural resource stewardship, and environmental and energy justice.  

“The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is on the frontlines of climate change, and its work has never been more important,” said Governor Healey. “We were proud to invest in this agency in our first budget and even prouder to see the results. States are collaborating like never before on energy issues, environmental justice communities have a seat in government, and so much more. I’m grateful to Secretary Tepper, our commissioners, and the over 3,000 hardworking staff that serve our residents.” 

“We’ve made important strides this year to address climate change,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “In our first year alone, we’ve invested $213 million in grants to help decarbonize our homes, protect open spaces, expand our tree canopy, and support our farmers. And we’re just getting started.” 

“In the past year, Massachusetts faced numerous challenges, from record-breaking heat waves to devastating floods that damaged crops and served as a reminder of what is at stake in the clean energy transition,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Our inaugural report demonstrates the collective commitment and dedication our organizations have towards addressing the climate crisis and protecting our communities. We’re proud to present a summary of our work thus far, and we are looking forward to a new year of opportunities.” 

“This year, we adopted a whole-of-government approach to climate action, and you see that in the important work accomplished — strong collaboration among our agencies to secure unprecedented federal funding, the first statewide coastal resilience initiative, and much more," said Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer. "I’m grateful for Secretary Tepper’s partnership and the hard work of her team, and I’m looking forward to another year of bold climate action.”

Governor Healey’s first operating budget elevated EEA to 1 percent of the overall budget, representing a significant investment in agencies tasked with combating climate change and protecting natural resources. The administration also created several new offices and positions within EEA to advance the state’s climate goals, including: 

• Office of Environmental Justice & Equity 

• Office of Federal & Regional Energy Affairs 

• Office of Climate Science 

• Office of Outdoor Recreation 

• Undersecretary of Decarbonization & Resilience 

The report also summarizes the impact of EEA’s grants. In 2023, EEA awarded $216 million to 1,813 individual grantees through initiatives like the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program (MVP), the Affordable Housing Deep Energy Retrofit Grant Program, and the Natural Disaster Recovery Program for Agriculture. 

The report will be available online at www.mass.gov/eea and printed copies are available upon request.

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