Geothermal is coming to Revere—and to dozens of schools across Massachusetts. A growing number of districts are modernizing their buildings with ground-source heat pumps and maximizing federal, state, and utility funding to move projects forward. On August 19, UndauntedK12 partnered with Revere Public Schools and Leftfield Project Management to give school district and municipal leaders an up-close look at the new Revere High School’s geothermal wellfield—and explore the resources available to help fund projects like this.

During the annual MAAP Summit, community health leaders shared how aging facilities are struggling to keep students safe during extreme heat and poor air quality events, and shared practical solutions underway in their communities. Sara Ross (Co-Founder, UndauntedK12), delivered a keynote address on how communities can advance climate-resilient schools through making smart infrastructure investments and expanding climate literacy opportunities for students.

During Boston Climate Week, Undaunted joined Mass Audubon, SubjectToClimate, and over 50 educators, students, and state and local leaders at Harvard Graduate School of Education for a working roundtable on climate education efforts underway across the Commonwealth.

Hopkinton Public Schools is leading on efforts to decarbonize their schools – converting from fossil-fuel-based systems to cleaner, more energy-efficient infrastructure across the district.

After awarding $52 million in Green School Works grants to schools in June, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) opened the second round of funding in December for HVAC upgrades, solar installations, and other clean energy projects.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) announced the first round of invitations for 15 school districts to develop heat pump retrofit projects funded through the state’s Accelerated Repair Program.

On October 7th, UndauntedK12 partnered with Brightcore Energy and Eversource to give school district leaders a tour of a ground-source (aka geothermal) drilling site at the new Agawam High School. 

Four new state funding programs are helping schools—especially those in districts with a high percentage of low-income students—install heat pump retrofits and make progress toward decarbonization.

During the annual MASC/MASS Joint Conference, state agencies and utility partners shared information about upcoming technical assistance and funding programs to improve aging school facilities and build healthier, more resilient schools.

The Climate Resilient Schools Coalition is a diverse network that empowers teachers, students and community members to advance rigorous climate education and infrastructure improvements in Massachusetts schools by passing and implementing climate action resolutions at the district level.

This month the Massachusetts School Building Authority is relaunching the Accelerated Repair Program (ARP) with important changes that stand to better serve communities and support the state’s climate goals. The MSBA recommended that the Accelerated Repair Program reopen this month with its narrowed focus and an annual budget of $150 million - double its prior grant capacity. Meanwhile, the staff will work to develop a separate heat pump retrofit program with a desired launch in January 2025.

On October 19th, UndauntedK12 partnered with the MSBA to host a roundtable presentation illustrating how new federal funds through the Inflation Reduction Act, paired with newly enriched offerings from Mass Save have substantially reduced the installation costs for modern, clean energy technologies that can help schools reduce operating costs, improve resilience and indoor air quality, and ultimately safeguard student health and learning.

On September 18, Massachusetts legislators heard powerful testimony from a diverse set of stakeholders calling for action to improve our school buildings. Climate change is heightening the challenges and exacerbating inequities. Instead of business as usual, it’s time for bold leadership and change. You can help.

On August 9, Governor Healey signed into law the FY2024 budget. Here’s what’s in and what’s out when it comes to school buildings.

On June 12, UndauntedK12 joined a powerful group of organizations to advocate for the creation of a Special Commission to study the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The focus? The interrelated issues of equitable and adequate funding for school facilities, policies to support healthy schools, and policies to advance the state’s environmental and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in schools.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority plays a central role in creating healthy, equitable, modern school buildings. In 2023, that means moving toward modern, all-electric HVAC systems in schools. Unfortunately, the Authority’s Accelerated Repair Program is still stuck in the past funding gas boilers. Now is the time for the Authority to engage stakeholders around a redesign of the program.

Did you know that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers schools a huge opportunity to replace fossil-fuel burning HVAC systems with new ground-source heat pumps at up to a 50% discount? These incentives offer schools a once-in-a-generation opportunity — and we need your help getting the word out.

UndauntedK12 is grateful to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for identifying the urgent need to advance climate-ready schools. It’s especially important that a competitive program work to support applications from schools serving low-income and environmental justice populations.

UndauntedK12’s cofounder Sara Ross presented at the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund legislative briefing to advocate for how the ZRCF could address existing inequities in school buildings that challenge the health and wellness of K-12 students.

All district and municipal leaders in Massachusetts need to know about new federal and state funding opportunities. We spoke with Mary Wambui, a resident of Lowell, about her local advocacy to advance green and healthy schools!

Congratulations to Dr. Patrick Tutwiler for being named Massachusetts’ Secretary of Education and to Melissa Hoffer for being named Massachusetts’ — and the nation’s — first-ever Climate Chief. Schools play a vital role in mitigating the climate crisis and improving community climate resilience.

We were thrilled to present to municipal representatives and advocates (among others) regarding new opportunities to electrify schools. Inspiring work was presented by Pip Lewis (HFMH Architects) and Talia Fox (Town of Arlington).

On November 14th, we moderated a panel at the annual MFAA/MASBO conference on how new federal funds can help schools make smart investments that will lower operating costs and prepare school buildings to support the state’s efforts to reduce building emissions.

In November 2022, UndauntedK12 led a panel at the joint annual meeting of school Superintendents and school committee members to discuss the rising threat of extreme heat and how heat pumps can be part of the solution.

Actionable information and resources for Massachusetts school districts and advocates regarding new federal and utility incentives that will facilitate access to modern HVAC systems.

We thank Dear Secretary Card, Undersecretary Chang, and the 2050 Clean Energy and Climate Plan for this opportunity to comment on the draft Massachusetts 2050 Clean Energy and Climate Plan. We appreciate the work to create this plan which stretches over decades and implicates all facets of the Commonwealth.

Read our latest op-ed written with Jason Acosta Espinosa, a student at Dartmouth College and a former Massachusetts climate fellow at Our Climate.

Our co-founder Sara Ross appeared on the Massachusetts Climate Action Networks podcast “The Climate Minute” to talk to the host Ted McIntyre about our report Gas Leaks At Massachusetts School Properties with HEET. Listen as they discuss how continued reliance on fossil fuels is a present danger to communities.

One out of every 6 Americans visits a school daily but they are conspicuously absent from Massachusetts’ recent landmark climate bill. While the legislature acknowledges that school buildings play an important role in addressing the climate crisis, this bill falls short of making an action plan.

Massachusetts’ Governor Baker signed the 2022 climate bill into law, including a provision for “Green and Healthy Schools”! This win would not have been possible without the tireless work of our legislative champions, their hard-working staff, and advocates across the state.