School Decarbonization Efforts at Hopkinton Public Schools

School decarbonization is a marathon, not a sprint. Just ask Susan Rothermich, the Director of Finance and Operations for Hopkinton Public Schools. Susan has been working to decarbonize Hopkinton since 2020 – leading efforts to plan, finance, and implement the conversion of fossil-fuel burning machines to cleaner, more efficient alternatives. With Susan’s leadership, it’s happening. Modern HVAC systems and energy tax credits occupy center stage.

For those who want to understand where Hopkinton’s been and where it’s headed, a useful place to start is a September 2025 Electrification and Cooling Energy Management Study.

It’s an enormously informative presentation that lays out how the district can replace aging HVAC systems, add cooling, advance toward meeting their climate commitments, and defray costs to local taxpayers.

There is lots to learn and be excited about in this work:

Maximizing federal tax credits. Hopkinton’s thinking exemplifies what it looks like to make the most of uncapped, noncompetitive energy tax credits. The district could earn ~$18.5M in federal energy tax credits from 4 ground-source heat pump systems. Keeping these projects on a forward march will allow the district to claim these credits before they sunset in 2035.

Dig to think big. The close proximity of the middle and high schools means the district has the opportunity to think about a more cost-effective way to electrify. As the 2025 study showed, ground-source heat pumps are a financially smart option for both buildings. But the district could reduce installation costs if both buildings can share one wellfield. Hopkinton may have the option to dig a wellfield for the high school first and then connect the middle school to the wellfield in a subsequent project.

This could be enormously valuable learning for other school and municipal campuses across the Commonwealth.

There is no question that these moves require local leadership; but they also require support from State, utility and private sector partners who can provide technical assistance, financial incentives, and recognition. 

We’re thrilled to spread the word about the work underway in Hopkinton to advance healthy, resilient, cost-effective facilities and hope it can inspire more districts to follow in their footsteps.