Any company with at least one facility in Massachusetts can sign-up to participate in the challenge, however, only a total of 125 businesses will be eligible for the comprehensive services offered through the Challenge and these spots have already been filled. The challenge helps organizations reduce greenhouse gas emissions by conducting a free energy analysis and on-site energy assessment for facilities, providing access to a large number of efficiency and renewables vendors and working with utility providers to reimburse participating organizations for 30-70% of their efficiency projects cost. The Challenge then tracks the energy usage and emissions reductions of the efficiency improvements, using EPA and The Climate Registry standards to measure the reduced emissions.

The Challenge uses a strategy of collaboration to accomplish its goal, creating a web of organizations and services aligned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The New England Clean Energy Council, through working with the Cambridge Energy Alliance, utility providers such as NSTAR and National Grid, efficiency product vendors and Massachusetts-based companies, the Challenge nearly accomplished its three year goal within the first year of implementation. Peter Rothstein, President of the NE Clean Energy Council, praised both Governor Patrick and participating businesses for their efforts thus far:

“The Challenge, which draws the continuous support of Governor Deval Patrick, is providing part of the roadmap to help Massachusetts-based companies become clean energy leaders…These companies have made great strides, and their progress so far indicates that they will do even better going forward.”