Leading By Example Program: Scope, Goals, and Administration

Learn how LBE works collaboratively with state agencies and public institutes of higher education to reduce the environmental impacts of state government operations.

Program Overview

LBE works collaboratively with state agencies and public colleges and universities to advance clean energy and sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impacts of state government operations.

LBE serves as a trusted resource and helps transform policy into action through strategic partnerships, technical assistance, grant funding, and nation-leading best practices. By demonstrating leadership within state government, LBE strives to empower residents and businesses to take action to collectively address the energy and environmental challenges facing the Commonwealth.

To achieve its mission, the LBE Program:

• Oversees comprehensive data collection and analysis;
• Tracks agency progress in multiple areas;
• Researches innovative technologies;
• Facilitates access to funding sources, including grant programs;
• Coordinates outreach and communication among and across all agencies;
• Issues guidance documents to support policy implementation; and
• Collaborates closely with key agencies and the LBE Council (see the Program Administration section below)

Leading by Example in Equity and Environmental Justice

Executive Order 594 recognizes that many state facilities are located in Environmental Justice (EJ) Communities, where residents often have evidence of higher than average rates of negative environmentally-related health outcomes.  As such, state entities must prioritize clean energy and sustainability efforts at facilities located in EJ populations when other factors (eg, fiscal, physical, and environmental factors) are fundamentally equivalent.

The LBE Program is committed to identifying new and more robust ways to ensure equity and Environmental Justice considerations are a core component of its programmatic initiatives and priorities. This includes supporting state entity implementation of EEA's Environmental Justice Policy by disseminating guidance, sharing best practices, and updating existing LBE grants and programs to advance principles of Environmental Justice and equity. 

Program Scope

The LBE portfolio encompasses Massachusetts' executive branch agencies, quasi-public authorities, and public institutions of higher education.

These entities manage more than 80 million square feet of buildings and over 7,500 vehicles, employ more than 90,000 people, and annually consume over 1 billion kWh of electricity, 80 million therms of natural gas, 4 million gallons of fuel oil, and 8 million gallons of gasoline and diesel. These operations result in more than 870,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

State facilities are diverse in size and utilization, including but not limited to:

• Large and small college campuses made up of residential buildings, labs, cafeterias, classrooms, dormitories, and more
• Prison complexes and youth detention facilities
• 24/7 Hospitals and residential facilities for vulnerable populations and individuals with disabilities
• Vehicle depots and maintenance facilities
• Seasonal state park facilities and visitor centers

You can learn more about the work being done at these various facilities by visiting the Sustainability Efforts at State Facilities page.

Program Goals

The LBE program is guided by Executive Order 594: Leading by Example: Decarbonizing and Minimizing Environmental Impacts of State Government, signed on April 22, 2021, with an effective date of July 1, 2021. EO 594 sets goals and requirements for the decarbonization of fuels used to heat and cool state facilities and accelerates the adoption of electric vehicles for state fleets. These and other provisions outlined in the Order set the stage for deployment of the new and innovative technologies and strategies that will be necessary to meet the Order's ambitious energy and emissions goals in support of the Commonwealth's aggressive long-term greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

See the Executive Order 594 page for more information on this Order, including specific targets and guidance for state entities.

Program Administration

The LBE Program works across state government in close collaboration with key partners.

The LBE Council (which is comprised of representatives from executive branch agencies, institutions of higher education, and quasi-public authorities) provides feedback to program staff on priorities, makes recommendations on the desired types of assistance and guidance, and supports the overall objectives established in Executive Order 594.

The LBE Program is staffed by the Department of Energy Resources. Various state divisions and departments provide vital contributions to the success of the LBE Program:

• The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is the Commonwealth’s energy policy office and oversees efforts to ensure deployment of all cost-effective energy efficiency measures, maximize the development of clean energy resources, ensure reliable energy supplies, minimize the relative cost of clean energy, and support Massachusetts’ clean energy companies and employment. The DOER Leading by Example Program sits within DOER and works with agencies to develop strategies and programs to support clean energy and sustainability efforts across state government.
• The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) is responsible for major capital projects at most state facilities, including new construction, major renovations, renewable energy installations, and energy efficiency projects. The agency is also responsible for ongoing maintenance and operational activities at many facilities.
• The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management of toxics and hazards, recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and preservation of wetlands and coastal resources. In addition, MassDEP manages several electric vehicle (EV) incentives and EV charging programs for the Commonwealth.
• The Office of Vehicle Management (OVM) oversees the Commonwealth's Executive Branch fleet vehicles used by authorized Executive Department personnel while conducting state business. OVM is responsible for the acquisition, leasing, registration, maintenance, and repair of the Executive Branch fleet vehicles.
• The Operational Services Division (OSD) is the central procurement agency responsible for procurement of goods and services and ensuring that best value is provided to Commonwealth agencies. The Environmental Purchasing Program oversees the implementation of Executive Order No. 515 and works to incorporate environmentally preferable products and services into statewide contracts promotes such products to agencies and other eligible customers.

State Entity Leading by Example Coordinators

Executive Order 594 directs all agencies with more than 75 employees to appoint at least one LBE coordinator to disseminate information related to LBE efforts, collaborate with LBE staff, and comply with the reporting requirements of the Order as applicable. Agencies with fewer than 75 employees are also invited to appoint a coordinator.

The spreadsheet linked below lists contacts that have been appointed as LBE coordinators or who otherwise work closely with LBE program staff to advance clean energy and energy efficiency efforts at their facilities. This list is updated regularly. Please contact [e-mail] with any questions or requested changes.

Additional Resources

Leading by Example Coordinator List

Leading by Example Program Staff Contacts

If you have questions or would like to request support, please get in touch with a member of the Massachusetts Leading by Example Program staff. Contact Ryan Kingston to be added to the LBE email list.

Eric Friedman, Director
[e-mail]

Catie Snyder, Deputy Director
[e-mail]

Sophia Vitello, Program Analyst
[e-mail]

Morgan Bowler, Clean Energy and Sustainability Coordinator
[e-mail]

Mark Scribner, Electric Transportation Program Manager
[e-mail]