36 May 2026

Boston – The Mass Clean Energy Center, in partnership with the City of Boston, recently announced $ 500,000 in funding for the Boston Green Ribbon Commission( GRC) to lead a project exploring the technical, economic, and regulatory feasibility of using clean thermal energy from Boston-area water to deliver large-scale heating and cooling. The year-long Boston Thermal Energy Network( BosTEN) Project aims to demonstrate that thermal energy networks( TENS) can deliver long-term cost savings, reduce pollution, and mitigate peaks on gas and electric systems as Massachusetts continues to transition to a clean energy economy.

“ Massachusetts is where we come together to solve big challenges, and this project is a perfect example of that. This is about making energy more affordable and more reliable for the people and businesses of Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey.“ Thermal energy networks offer a smart, scalable way to meet growing demand while cutting pollution and easing pressure on our grid. We’ re proud to partner with the City of Boston and regional leaders to move this forward.”

The BosTEN Project will explore how to capture thermal energy from the Charles and Mystic Rivers, Boston

The Boston Green Ribbon Commission delegation visited the seawater heat pump system in Esbjerg, Denmark in 2025.

Harbor, the Fort Point Channel, and the bedrock beneath the rivers, and deliver it to nearby large buildings for clean heating and cooling. The closed system of a thermal energy network circulates heat through sealed infrastructure without drawing water from waterways, avoiding impacts to marine life. These networks, which are already in use across Canada and Europe, can help reduce strain on the electric grid as energy demand grows.

“ This innovative effort reflects what

Boston does best: bringing together some of our region’ s most valuable partners to make our city more sustainable and affordable,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.“ By exploring thermal energy, we’ re opening an opportunity to keep our buildings comfortable year-round while maintaining stable electricity costs and paving the way for other cities across the Commonwealth to do the same.”

The BosTEN Project will leverage the GRC’ s diverse membership, which

represents many of the area’ s largest energy users, including universities, hospitals, commercial real estate, and public agencies, to obtain data on their buildings. This data will help shape The BosTEN Project’ s analysis of thermal energy use at scale throughout the region. The GRC will also work with government entities, regulated utilities, and district energy providers to address underground infrastructure and regulatory barriers. The goal is to create an approach that is practical, equitable, and applicable to many sites statewide.

At the end of the project, the Green Ribbon Commission will deliver findings on thermal supply, distribution pathways, phased demand among early adopters, investment readiness, and permitting / regulatory requirements, with an emphasis on producing near-term pilot concepts that can be enacted in Boston.

“ Large buildings account for a significant share of our energy use, and they need heating and cooling solutions that are reliable, scalable, and costeffective,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.“ This groundbreaking effort positions Boston to lead on innovative infrastructure that can serve major energy users while easing pressure on our broader energy system.”

Cambridge, MA – A coalition promoting greywater reuse recently brought state and local officials on a tour of the 585 Kendall Square project in Cambridge. This was to see the large greywater reuse system being built on site to capture nearly all the rainfall in the building’ s footprint and reuse it for things like toilet flushing, irrigation, and building cooling.

The coalition included UA Plumbers Local 12, the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association( GBPCA), Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors of Massachusetts, and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, working together to advance practical solutions to support water reuse in the Commonwealth. The coalition has continued to grow, and now includes partners like the Mass Rivers Alliance, Charles River Watershed Association, and Save the Alewife Brook.

Officials who joined the tour included Representative Marjorie Decker and Representative Mike Connolly of Cambridge, along with staff from the offices of Representative Joan Meschino, Representative Michelle Badger, Senator Brendan Crighton, Senator

( l-r): State Senator DiDomenico’ s Director of Communications & Environmental Policy, Eli Fenichel; Executive Director of Climate Jobs MA, Ryan Murphy; GBPCA Executive Director Andrew DeAngelo; Local 12 Business Agent, Frank Amato; State Rep. Marjorie Decker; Foreman JC Higgins, Chris Mohan; Local 12 Business Agent Chad Carbone; and State Rep. Mike Conolly

William Brownsberger, and Senator Sal DiDomenico.

“ As climate change brings bigger and more frequent storms to our region, I am proud to support projects like this that save water and make our sewer systems more resilient,” said DiDomenico.“ I am grateful for the plumbers in my district and across our state advocating for more sustainable and practical technology like the greywater systems here in Cambridge.”

The greywater system is being built by GBPCA signatory contractor JC Higgins and the licensed professionals of Plumbers Local 12. Walking through the site, attendees were able to see how the system collects, treats, and reuses water. Every component of a greywater system must meet strict standards, and proper installation is necessary to protect public health.

Current legislation around greywater usage includes House Bill # 922 and Senate Bill # 591, as well as a proposed Greywater Commission amendment to the Governor’ s Environmental Bond Bill. These pieces of legislation aim to create a framework for expanding water reuse in Massachusetts. www. high-profile. com