Emily Reichert's Remarks — Senator Markey's Clean Energy Small Business Field Hearing, May 9, 2025

Summary

Prepared remarks by Emily Reichert, CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), for Senator Markey's Clean Energy Small Business Field Hearing on May 9, 2025. The remarks share highlights from MassCEC's annual clean energy industry survey, stating that Massachusetts has over 7,500 clean energy businesses and over 115,000 clean energy workers. They report that the industry powers 233,427 direct, indirect, and induced jobs and contributed $15.9 billion to Gross State Product in 2023. The remarks state that 58% of clean energy businesses are small businesses with 10 or fewer workers and that roughly 28,000 additional workers are needed to meet 2030 climate goals. They also mention $7.3 million in workforce development grants and close by calling for reliable federal investments in clean energy small businesses.

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Emily Reichert’s Remarks
Senator Markey’s Clean Energy Small Business Field Hearing
May 9, 2025

You will speak for about 5 minutes.
Introduction:

•   Good morning, Senator Markey. Thank you for gathering us here today to
    discuss the clean energy economy in Massachusetts, and specifically the
    economic impact of clean energy small businesses and clean energy
    workers.


•   I want to thank Franklin Cummings Tech and President Aisha Francis for
    hosting us. At MassCEC, we are fortunate to have Dr. Francis as a valued
    member of our Board.


•   My name is Emily Reichert, and I have the honor of serving as the CEO of
    the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, also known as MassCEC.


•   MassCEC is a quasi-state economic development agency dedicated to
    accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across
    Massachusetts.


• We do this to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits,
    and secure long-term economic growth for our residents.
MA Clean Energy Industry:

• I appreciate the opportunity to share the findings we have gathered as part
   of MassCEC’s Annual Clean Energy Industry survey.


• MassCEC is required by law to submit to the Massachusetts Legislature an
   annual report detailing the state’s clean energy industry.


• While we are still finalizing the report, I’d like to share some highlights with
   you today.


• The headline is: the Massachusetts Clean Energy economy is strong.


• The clean energy industry has become a major part of the Massachusetts
   economy and has seen continued growth in jobs, businesses, and economic
   impact.


• There are over 7,500 clean energy businesses in Massachusetts.


• The Massachusetts clean energy industry has doubled since 2010, adding
   nearly 60,000 jobs.


• In total, Massachusetts is home to over 115,000 clean energy workers.
• That’s 115,000 people who rely on work in the clean energy industry to pay
   their bills and care for themselves and their families.


• But the impact of the clean energy industry is much greater than these
   115,000 jobs alone.


• The Massachusetts clean energy industry impacts another 43,500 indirect
   jobs and nearly 75,000 induced jobs.


• Indirect jobs are those outside of the clean energy sector that provide
   critical supply chain goods and services.


• Induced jobs are those that result from increased spending in the economy
   thanks to the clean energy industry.


• In total, the clean energy industry powers 233,427 direct, indirect, and
   induced jobs.


• The industry has been responsible for generating a significant amount of tax
   dollars, including a total of $5.9 billion in federal taxes and $2.9 billion in
   state and local taxes.


• In 2023, the clean energy industry contributed $15.9 billion, or about 2%, to
   the Commonwealth’s Gross State Product (GSP).
• The numbers in this year’s report only reflect clean energy jobs.


• Massachusetts has a booming climatetech sector as well. We are #1 in US
   climatetech startups per capita, with many young companies emerging from
   our local universities and growing into successful climatetech
   manufacturing businesses.


• Recent examples, who are also grantees of MassCEC’s programs include:
      o Aeroshield Materials in Waltham, MA, which is developing advanced
         insulation materials to improve energy efficiency in buildings.
      o AM Batteries in Billerica, MA, which is pioneering cleaner, more
         efficient ways to make batteries for electric vehicles and energy
         storage.
      o Clean Crop Technologies in Holyoke, MA, which is using innovative
         technology to keep food fresher for longer and cut waste across the
         food supply chain.


• Another exciting highlight is that the Massachusetts clean energy industry is
   a statewide industry.


• 74% of clean energy businesses are located outside of Greater Boston.


• 58% of clean energy businesses are small businesses with 10 or fewer
   workers.
• When looking at clean energy jobs by sector or subsector, many clean
   energy jobs, 66% to be exact, are in the Energy Efficiency, Demand
   Management, and Clean Heating and Cooling.


• The state has experienced growth in other subsectors, too.


• Massachusetts has seen a 22% increase in clean transportation jobs since
   2023. And the state was ranked #1 nationally for the highest rate of growth
   in electric vehicle jobs in 2024.


• Along with EVs, other subsectors that experienced the greatest increase in
   jobs between 2023 and 2024 include solar; advanced and recycled building
   materials; and clean, high efficiency, and ENERGY STAR heating and cooling.


• These workers and small businesses are improving the quality of life for
   countless residents across Massachusetts.


• They’re making life more affordable and more comfortable.


• They’re helping drivers switch to electric vehicles.


• They’re helping homeowners and business owners make their homes and
   commercial buildings healthier and more efficient.
• They’re reducing pollution and building a future with cleaner air and water.


• And they’re helping us accelerate the transition to clean energy sources
   that are more reliable and more secure.


• The continued growth of the clean energy industry is vital to the well -
   being of the Massachusetts economy.
• But we have more work to do to grow jobs and ensure everyone can take
   part in the economic benefits of clean energy.


• Women and minority workers continue to be underrepresented in the
   industry.


• Equitable workforce development is one of our top priorities, and
   Massachusetts needs roughly 28,000 additional workers to meet our 2030
   climate goals, but 37% of employers still reported that they found it very
   difficult to hire qualified workers.


• That’s why yesterday, MassCEC traveled to Essex North Shore Technical and
   Agricultural High School in Danvers, Massachusetts to announce $7.3
   million in workforce development grants to 25 incredible organizations
   including community colleges, unions, and technical high schools.
• These grants will support local organizations working to build training
   pipelines, raise awareness, and expand access to climate jobs.



Closing:

• On a global scale, the clean energy transition is unstoppable. Competition is
   increasing and other countries are moving forward.


• The progress we’ve made here in Massachusetts over the past 15 years is
   incredible and we have much to be proud of


• This work wouldn’t be possible without people coming together from
   across higher education, government, labor, industry, and the nonprofit
   sector.


• Massachusetts, as a climate leader and a hub for innovation, will continue
   to do what it can to grow the clean energy industry and accelerate
   climatetech solutions.


• But without reliable federal investments, our entrepreneurs and small
   businesses will suffer.


• And when small businesses suffer, so do workers, consumers, and entire
   communities.
• This is the time when we should strengthen our support for clean energy
   small businesses and workers, as well as the researchers and innovators
   who drive groundbreaking climate solutions.


• I appreciate the opportunity to speak about the positive economic impact
   of clean energy small businesses and the workers who power this growing
   industry.


• Senator Markey, thank you again. I look forward to your questions.


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