Positioning Massachusetts as a Hub for Climate Tech Innovation

As climate change accelerates, Massachusetts is strategically positioning itself as a global leader in climate technology through targeted economic development. Emily Reichert MBA ’12, former CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), recently detailed the state's comprehensive approach at an MIT Energy Initiative seminar.

Emily Reichert presenting MassCEC's strategy at MIT. Credit: Kelley Travers

"There's not another agency in the country exactly like us," stated Reichert, emphasizing MassCEC's unique dual focus on economic development and clean energy innovation. Established in 2008, MassCEC drives climate-tech advancement through four interconnected pillars:

1. Lab-to-Market Acceleration: Providing grants, internships, and co-investment funds to help startups commercialize climate technologies
2. Decarbonization Deployment: Adapting technologies for Massachusetts' unique infrastructure challenges
3. Offshore Wind Expansion: Developing port infrastructure to support projects powering 400,000 homes
4. Workforce Development: Creating training programs from high school to career-transition levels

The state leverages its robust innovation ecosystem—"more startups per capita than any other state"—fueled by academic powerhouses like MIT. Reichert highlighted MIT spinouts including Sublime Systems and Commonwealth Fusion Systems as key players in this ecosystem.

Critical to this strategy is the Climatetech Economic Development Strategy, a 10-year plan backed by the Mass Leads Act establishing tax incentives to retain companies. "Innovation isn't going anywhere," Reichert asserted, noting that institutions like MIT will continue driving climate solutions. "We can decide to be part of the future."