Massachusetts Energy Explorer

Data-driven insight to the Commonwealth’s energy landscape from the Clean Energy & Environment Legacy Transition (CELT) Initiative at the Boston University Institute of Global Sustainability. 

1.1 MASSACHUSETTS ENERGY OVERVIEW

ENERGY OVERVIEW

Massachusetts uses electricity and a range of renewable and fossil fuels to support its economy and the lifestyles of its residents. The data in this section track important trends and transitions in the Commonwealth’s energy system, including how energy prices vary over time and across sources.

2.1 AGGREGATE EXPOSURE

ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure such as gas pipelines, electricity transmission lines, power plants, and oil storage terminals underpins the delivery of energy to Massachusetts residents and businesses. The data in this section describe the nature, location, capacity, and other characteristics of the Commonwealth’s essential energy infrastructure.

3.1 MASS SAVE DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Decision-makers in municipal and state government prioritize energy efficiency to help meet climate targets, lower energy bills, and improve the overall quality of life for households and businesses. The data in this section highlight key trends in the Mass Save program and the health benefits associated with more energy-efficient homes.

4.1 AGGREGATE (STATE) BY INCOME QUINTILES

ENERGY BURDEN

Infrastructure such as gas pipelines, electricity transmission lines, power plants, and oil storage terminals underpins the delivery of energy to Massachusetts residents and businesses. The data in this section describe the nature, location, capacity, and other characteristics of the Commonwealth’s essential energy infrastructure.

5.1 THE MASSACHUSETTS GREEN COMMUNITIES PROGRAM

GREEN COMMUNITIES

The Massachusetts Green Communities program designates municipalities that meet five energy efficiency criteria, providing them with technical assistance and grant funding to support clean energy and efficiency projects. The data in this section illustrate patterns in funding over time and across municipalities, as well as the types of projects supported by the program.

6.1 TRENDS IN THE CONSUMPTION OF TRAVEL BY MODE

TRANSPORTATION

People and freight in Massachusetts move through a variety of transportation modes that support daily life and commerce across the Commonwealth. The data in this section highlight public transit, electric vehicles, transportation fuel use, and other key indicators of the state’s transportation system.

7.1 PRODUCTION

PRIORITY POPULATIONS

Massachusetts is committed to ensuring the fair and equitable distribution of all environmental and energy benefits and burdens. This commitment includes conducting cumulative impact analyses that account for existing pollution, health conditions, and vulnerabilities in affected communities, as well as ensuring equitable access to energy efficiency and distributed clean energy services. The data in this section describe priority populations and some of the challenges they face.

8.1 WHAT IS A CLIMATE LEADER COMMUNITY?

CLIMATE & EMISSIONS

Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 is mandated by Massachusetts law and drives many of the Commonwealth’s energy, environmental, and equity goals. The data in this section describe the magnitude, sources, and trends of GHG emissions, as well as ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and enhance climate resilience.

License: Unless otherwise noted, all visualizations, data, and stories produced by Visualizing Energy are open access under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). This means that you have permission to copy, transform, and redistribute the material in any medium, provided the source and authors are credited.

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