Northampton to hire part‑time energy advocate under Mass Save/MassCEC grants; program will target landlords and moderate‑income households

The committee discussed a new Community First Partnership grant that will fund a part‑time energy advocate shared among Northampton, East Hampton and Westhampton. The position is intended to increase participation in Mass Save rebate programs and home energy assessments and will be posted soon by East Hampton.

The position will be 19 hours per week and split among the three municipalities. Committee members said the advocate will focus outreach on landlords of 1–4 unit and 5–20 unit buildings and on moderate‑income customers, and will help residents and property owners navigate Mass Save and other incentives.

Committee members and public commenters urged the committee to concentrate the advocate’s efforts where one owner can affect many tenants, and to assemble a clear “package” of incentives and financing tools the advocate can use. Staff said the program will coordinate with MassCEC’s Electrify Northampton–East Hampton initiative, which selected Revise Energy as the program contractor. That Electrify program has a total budget of $500,000, with at least $150,000 earmarked to offer incentives or discounts to participants who install heat pumps.

Members discussed outreach tactics and data sources the advocate might use to target buildings, including assessor and permit records, existing participant lists, and third‑party data tools. Staff said permit data are available but pulling and sorting historic permits could be labor intensive under the city’s current software; staff are pursuing easier exports as they transition systems. Several members suggested the committee compile a short list of outreach materials and local partners to maximize the advocate’s limited hours.

Public commenters suggested the advocate assemble a consolidated map of available incentives (Mass Save, CEC, utility on‑bill financing, regional community funds such as CET or college community climate funds) so residents can quickly see which programs apply. Staff and members noted on‑bill financing and zero‑percent heat loans exist but that “split incentive” issues — where owners pay upgrades but tenants receive bill savings — remain a barrier for some multifamily projects.

The committee agreed there is time to refine the advocate’s job description before the anticipated April program start and recommended prioritizing outreach strategies, data sources and partnerships with utilities and community organizations so one part‑time employee can be effective across three towns.