Curriculum and Resources
The Academy will support new energy managers and upskill existing municipal staff through accessible, tailored, and effective training resources.
The training covers a range of topics from analyzing municipal energy usage on MassEnergyInsight, to understanding state codes and policies, to grant writing, and project planning.
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
- Navigate essential municipal and state systems and processes,
- Apply technical skills to plan and implement energy and sustainability projects and programs, and
- Engage diverse stakeholders through inclusive community engagement methods.
Questions:
Julia Nassar, [email protected]
Samikshya Dhami, [email protected]
MESM Academy Calendar of Events:
View the Calendar of Events for dates on upcoming trainings, peer learning meetings, monthly office hours, and other events.
View the MESM Academy Calendar
Your Feedback:
We welcome your feedback on any aspects of the training program, including content and delivery. What is working well, and where can we improve? Share your thoughts through the anonymous feedback form.
MESM Training Curriculum
The Map below details the MESM training curriculum, including information on the lesson question, learning objectives, activities, resources, and instructors. Where relevant, there are existing training and resources that can be used to complement or augment the training.
Visit the MESM Academy Calendar for dates and information on upcoming trainings, peer learning meetings, and other key events.
Unit I: Essential Knowledge – The First 90 Days
Lesson Question:
What are my essential responsibilities in my role as a municipal energy manager and how can I set goals to track my performance?
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the scope and expectations of my position and what success looks like
- Establish short-term and long-term goals
Lesson Summary:
An introduction to the role of an energy/sustainability manager and support resources available. This lesson will include an overview of the key responsibilities, expectations, and KPIs of the position; whom they can expect to work with within the municipality (e.g., building commissioner, department of public works, facilities) and outside the municipality (e.g., state agencies, community partners, school district); and setting short- and long-term goals.
Lesson Slides:
Municipal Energy Manager Welcome Orientation (September 17, 2025)
Lesson Resources:
Onboarding package
Lesson Question:
How do I complete the quarterly and annual grant reporting requirements to remain in good standing and demonstrate progress?
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the specific reporting requirements for the Municipal Energy Managers Grant.
- Gather the necessary data and information to meet reporting standards.
Instructors:
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Lori Timmerman, National Grid
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Jennifer Amatore, Eversource
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Shannon Donovan, NEED Project
Lesson Summary:
This training covers the reporting requirements of the Municipal Energy Manager position funded by Mass Save Municipal Energy Manager Grant.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Energy Managers' Quarterly Reporting Requirements recording
Energy Managers' Quarterly Reporting Requirements slides
Energy Managers' Annual Reporting Requirements recording
Energy Managers' Annual Reporting Requirements slides
Lesson Resources:
- Watch a recorded walkthrough on using the portal to submit quarterly reporting
- Download the following documents:
Lesson Question:
How do I achieve and maintain Green Community designation?
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the five Green Communities Criteria and annual reporting requirements.
- Get set up on MassEnergyInsight (MEI) and learn fundamentals
- Understand typical DOER municipal grants cycle and role of Regional Coordinators.
Instructor:
Joanne Bisetta, Director of Green Communities Division, Department of Energy Resources
Lesson Summary:
This training provides an overview of the Green Communities program, requirements, and resources available; how to achieve and maintain designation; what is a typical grant cycle; and how to work with your Green Communities Regional Coordinator. The training also covers how to get set up on MEI and basics of the tool.
Lesson Slides:
Green Communities 101
Lesson Resources:
- DOER has recordings of webinars covering the requirements for Green Communities and Climate Leader Communities Designation.
- DOER also provides grants, technical assistance, and local support through Green Communities Regional Coordinators.
Lesson Question:
How do municipal governments in Massachusetts function? What do I need to know now about municipal financing and capital planning to be successful in my role?
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding the government structure my municipality is operating under.
- Describe the role of key elected officials and staff in my municipality.
- Describe how local budgets and financing operate at a high level.
- Understand how a local clean energy project can be part of a capital planning process in my municipality.
Lesson Summary:
For staff new to local government, navigating municipal processes and protocols can be a high learning curve. To be effective, new staff need to understand how municipal government works, such as the municipal org chart, how to work with other departments and school districts, municipal financing, municipal processes (e.g., procurement, home rule petition, zoning) and plans (e.g., Capital Improvement Plans, Hazard Mitigation Plans). This lesson will address the essentials to navigating municipal government and core municipal processes and planning structures related to the energy and sustainability manager roles.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Working in a Municipality 101 recording
Working in a Municipality 101 slides
Lesson Resources:
Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) hosts webinar on topics specific to municipalities, such as the webinar on town meetings basics and the webinar on the best practices for procurement.
Lesson Question:
What is Mass Save and how can I participate in energy efficiency and decarbonization programs?
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Mass Save program and how it can help municipal reduce energy and fossil fuel use.
- Identify stepping-stones to building decarbonization and where to go to get assistance.
Instructor:
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Jessica Reardon, Supervisor Large C&I, Energy Efficiency, Eversource
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Gemma Wilkens, Community Solutions Account Manager, National Grid
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Lori Timmerman, Community Solutions Account Manager, National Grid
Lesson Summary:
Provide an overview of the Mass Save energy efficiency program and the incentives and resources available for municipal buildings. The training will touch on how Mass Save can help municipalities develop a strategy to decarbonize buildings and what studies and tools are available.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Mass Save Municipal Programs and Incentives Recording
Mass Save Municipal Programs and Incentives Slides
Lesson Resources:
- Mass Save’s website provides information on municipal energy saving opportunities and accompanying incentives.
Municipal Customers have utility Energy Efficiency Representatives that can assist with projects. Visit the MESM Academy contacts spreadsheet to identify your representative.
Lesson Question:
How do I write compelling grant applications and structure a strong project pipeline?
Learning Objectives:
- Build a pipeline of priority projects with engaged partners that position your community for success in applying for grants.
- Create a community-specific toolbox of grant-ready content on your community, your commitment to clean energy, and your partners, to allow for rapid response to opportunities.
- Evaluate eligibility and competitiveness for grant opportunities.
- Understand the formula for writing winning grant applications.
Instructor:
Naomi Mermin and Melissa Riley, Naomi Mermin Consulting
Lesson Summary:
Applying for funding and technical assistance to advance projects is a core role of an energy manager. This lesson will help you to prioritize your projects, build critical partnerships, and build project profiles to be a successful grants applicant. Participants will be given hands-on skills for assessing grants that match their community’s needs and building winning applications. Participants will learn how to build systems that allow for recycling grant content until sufficient resources are secured to complete high priority projects. This training will also cover how to manage and maintain a healthy project pipeline and how to ensure your community is prepared for award responsibilities, such as invoicing and reporting requirements.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Grant Writing and Preparing Project Pipeline Recording
Grant Writing and Preparing Project Pipeline Slides
Lesson Resources:
- MAPC’s Energy & Sustainability Grants Matrix (Adapted from Building Electrification Accelerator)
- MMA Grants 101 Webinar
- UMass Lowell Grant Proposal Development Workshop
- Grant Writing Participating Workbook
Lesson Question:
How can I track and analyze my municipality’s energy use? How can I use MEI to identify and prioritize energy projects?
Learning Objectives:
- Set up and organize data onto MEI.
- Identify trends, errors, and gaps in energy data.
- Use advanced project planning tools.
Instructor:
Mark Rabinsky, Deputy Director, Green Communities Division
Lesson Summary:
Tutorial on how to use MEI to understand municipal energy consumption and carbon footprint, monitor energy usage, identify energy savings potential, and use reports. The training will cover how to upload and organize data such as energy (electric, natural gas, delivered fuels, solar), vehicles, energy conservation, and permitting data; and how to view reports to identify trends, detect errors and gaps, and conduct project planning.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Using MassEnergyInsight for Energy Management Recording
Using MassEnergyInsight for Energy Management Slides
Lesson Resources:
MEI Training Videos and MEI FAQs
Unit II: Foundational Knowledge – Government, Policy, and Programs
Lesson Question:
How do I procure clean energy technologies/services while complying with procurement laws? What are the procurement pathways available to me?
Learning Objectives:
- Describe common procurement pathways for energy-related technologies and services.
- Understand the procurement process and how to maintain compliance with State laws.
Instructors:
Marjorie Weinberg, General Counsel, MAPC
Joanne Bissetta, Director of Green Communities Division, DOER
Beth Greenblatt, Owner and Managing Director, Beacon Integrated Solutions
Lesson Summary:
Municipal employees are required to comply with State laws when procuring any good or service on behalf of the municipality. Participants will learn about the basic thresholds and procedures of municipal procurement. The training touches on Chapter 30B, Chapter 25A Section 14 (the streamlined procurement pathway for energy projects up to $300,000), and Chapter 25A Section 11.i and 11.c (Energy Performance Contracts).
Lesson Recording and Slides:
MA Procurement Laws and Pathways recording
MA Procurement Laws and Pathways slides - main slides
MA Procurement Laws and Pathways slides - Beth Greenblatt's slides
Lesson Resources:
Lesson Question:
What are the building energy code options for cities and towns in Massachusetts?
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between the three building energy code options.
- Describe the process and requirements for adopting the Stretch or Specialized Code.
Instructor:
Becca Edson, Energy Efficiency & Codes Team, Department of Energy Resources
Lesson Summary:
This lesson covers the three building energy code options for cities and towns in Massachusetts and outlines the process of adopting the stretch or specialized code. Provides foundational overview of the state building code process and what to know about how the stretch code and specialized code interact with local building requirements.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Coming soon!
Lesson Resources:
- Stretch Energy & Specialized Building Code FAQs by DOER.
- Mass Save provides Energy Code Training and Technical Support.
- ZeroCarbonMA provides guidance, summaries, and direct support to municipalities to adopt the specialized code.
Lesson Question:
What are the state-level policies and programs that impact my work? How can I be involved in shaping them?
Learning Objectives:
- Provide an overview of state programs to support local energy projects and planning.
- Explore key decisionmakers and public processes in MA for developing energy and climate policies and programs.
- Understand how municipal staff can effectively engage in public state policy and regulatory decision-making processes.
Instructor:
Joanna Troy, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Energy Resources
Lesson Summary:
Summary of state level policies/programs that impact energy managers. Provide an overview of the regulatory landscape and cover the processes through which policies are developed and enacted at the state level. It will empower participants to understand the roles they can play in shaping and implementing the state-level policies. This unit will also cover the state’s climate and energy goals, programs, policies, and incentives.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Coming soon!
- Lesson Resources:
The MA Clean Energy & Climate Plan for 2050 covers details on the actions needed for the state to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. - ACLU Massachusetts offers recording of the webinar Massachusetts State Legislature 101: How does it all work anyway? covering the structure of the legislature, the 2-year legislative session, and different scenarios on how bill becomes law.
- Department of Public Utilities: Annual Report
- Attorney General’s Open Meeting Law Guide
Unit III: Practical Knowledge – Project Development and Implementation
Lesson Question:
How do I decarbonize my municipality’s buildings?
Learning Objectives:
- Identify where to start the municipal decarbonization journey.
- Identify the barriers and considerations of electrification and how to overcome them.
- Understand the various funding sources available to municipalities and schools to make tangible change.
Instructors:
- Kevin Silveira, Lead Development Engineer, National Grid
- Greg Sine, Senior Energy Efficiency Consultant, Eversource
- Dele Akinwolemiwa, Energy Manager, City of Lynn
- Susan McPhee, Spark Energy Conservation
Lesson Summary:
Provide an overview of the strategies, technologies, and funding sources available for municipal building decarbonization. The training will cover energy efficiency retrofits, full and partial electrification options, and how to align projects with capital improvement processes. Municipal champions will share project case studies and lessons learned from their decarbonization projects. Lesson will include site visit to local manufacturer training centers.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Building Decarbonization Strategies for Municipal Buildings Recording
Building Decarbonization Strategies for Municipal Buildings Slides
Lesson Resources:
- DOER has developed Energy Management Basics: For Municipal Planners & Managers.
- The Building Electrification Accelerator (BEA) hosts regular events, a retrofits working group; sends regular newsletter covering policy changes and funding opportunities related to building decarbonization.
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation Massachusetts (LISC) Massachusetts hosts webinars and forums on topics related to building decarbonization, renewable energy, and energy code compliance.
- BE+ educational resources and courses focused on sustainable building practices, including LEED certification, green building standards, and other technical content related to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in the built environment.
Lesson Question:
What are the main forms of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in Massachusetts? What are the most energy efficient systems?
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how BTUs/heat are delivered to and removed from a building.
- Describe how heat pumps work.
- Learn about the “old school” and modern HVAC systems common in residential and commercial buildings in Massachusetts.
Instructors:
- Paul Ormond, Senior Engineer, Department of Energy Resources
- Becca Edson, Architect, Department of Energy Resources
Lesson Summary:
This lesson will cover the fundamental physics behind how buildings are heated, cooled, and ventilated. We will introduce how heat pumps work to provide and remove BTUs/ heat energy from the interior to the exterior; cover the main forms of heating, cooling, and ventilation common in the Northeast; and discuss why ventilation has become such a vital part of realizing an energy efficient and healthy interior space.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Building Systems and HVAC 101 Recording
Building Systems and HVAC 101 Slides
Lesson Resources:
Lesson Question:
How is electricity produced, delivered, and regulated? And what are you paying for in your electric bill?
Learning Objectives:
- Introduce the three major electricity cost components – generation, transmission, and distribution.
- Review key market and regulatory constructs.
- Explain how electric sector costs are recovered from customers and related climate and affordability consideration.
Instructor:
Mike Giovanniello, Energy Data Analyst, Department of Energy Resources
Lesson Summary:
Cover the fundamentals of the energy system, including power generation, distribution, and transmission. Discuss the role of utilities, ISO-NE, the DPU, and state policy directives/programs. Introduce energy management basics such as reading energy bills and understanding energy consumption. Briefly introduce how the electric sector and customer experience will change as we transition away from fossil fuels.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Coming soon!
Lesson Resources:
- Mass Save: resources for energy saving opportunities (e.g., lighting upgrades and building energy assessments at the municipal level).
- Mass Save: training on energy modeling for compliance with the stretch code.
- Eversource: webinars and tools to understand electric bills and natural gas bills.
- ISO-NE 101: self-paced training on electricity markets
Stay tuned!
Unit IV: Community Knowledge – Engagement and Action Beyond Municipal Buildings
Stay tuned!
Lesson Question:
How can I design and implement a community-wide climate action plan for my municipality? What are the high-impact strategies I should do first?
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between climate mitigation and adaptation/resilience.
- Identify core components and steps of a community-wide climate action plan.
- Understand the requirements for DOER Climate Leaders designation.
Instructors:
MAPC and DOER
Lesson Summary:
This training will provide an overview of how municipalities can develop and implement climate action plans (CAP) that set clear goals, strategies, and timelines for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing community resilience. This lesson will cover the core components of developing a plan, including stakeholder and community engagement, alignment with state and regional policies, a framework for identifying and prioritizing strategies and how to integrate a CAP with municipal planning processes (e.g., Master Plans and Capital Improvement Plans). Finally, the training will cover requirements for DOER Climate Leaders designation.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Coming soon!
Lesson Resources:
- MAPC’s Net Zero Playbook
- MAPC’s Resilience Playbook
- C40 Cities Climate Action Planning Guide
- American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Local Policy Toolkit
Lesson Questions:
How do I calculate the greenhouse emissions for my municipality?
How do residents, businesses, and municipal operations contribute to the community’s GHG emissions?
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
- Determine the largest sources of local emissions in your community using the GHG Inventory tool.
Instructor:
MAPC
Lesson Summary:
A greenhouse gas (“GHG”) inventory can be developed to guide the actions of local decision-makers and target specific sectors to reduce GHG emissions. A GHG inventory provides a baseline from which to measure progress against and a method for benchmarking the effectiveness of local climate mitigation programs and policies. This lesson covers the basics of greenhouse gas inventories, what data is needed and how to collect it, and how to calculate emissions using MAPC’s tool.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Coming soon!
Lesson Resources:
MAPC’s Community Greenhouse gas Inventory Tool , Guide, and Webinar
Lesson Question:
How can I support homes and businesses in my community decarbonize?
Learning Objectives:
- Identify options through Mass Save to support residential, small business and non-profit facilities reduce energy and fossil fuel use
- Describe stepping-stones to building decarbonization and where to go to get assistance.
Instructor:
Mass Save partners
Lesson Summary:
Provide an overview of the strategies, technologies, and incentives available to support home and business owners to decarbonize their properties, including Mass Save, LEAN, and the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank. Training will cover how other communities are reaching residents and businesses through energy coaches, the Community First Partnership, and more.
Lesson Recording and Slides:
Coming soon!
Lesson Resources:
- Mass Save: residential rebates & incentives (including the Community Education Grant & Community First Partnership)
- LEAN’s Residential Program
- Massachusetts Community Climate Bank: Mass Energy Savings Finder & Energy Saver Home Loan Program.
- Building Operator Certification (BOC) offers the Fundamentals of EE Building Operations course covering basic principles of energy efficiency practices in commercial buildings.