Julie Newman’s Post

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Director of Sustainability at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

I am thrilled to share that MIT is co-leading an effort to enable two new large-scale renewable energy facilities and purchase an estimated 1.3M megawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually by 2026.  MIT, Harvard, Mass General Brigham, and Power Options worked together to establish the Consortium for Climate Solutions, a first-of-its-kind renewable energy aggregation that engaged higher education institutions, healthcare systems, and a group of public and nonprofit organizations in Greater Boston and the North Shore, to address the carbon-free objectives of its members.  Through two virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs), the Consortium’s procurement is spurring the development of 408 MW of new renewable energy, which will be constructed, owned, and operated by Apex Clean Energy. The 200 MW Big Elm Solar project in Bell County, Texas came online in 2024, and the 208 MW Bowman Wind project in Bowman County, North Dakota, is expected to come online in 2026.  This collaboration demonstrates the power of shared vision and collaborative leadership in addressing the urgent need for clean energy solutions. https://lnkd.in/eMeq3fFe

Press Release: Accelerating Climate Action, 11 Boston & Cambridge Institutions Collaborate to Invest in Wind and Solar Power

Press Release: Accelerating Climate Action, 11 Boston & Cambridge Institutions Collaborate to Invest in Wind and Solar Power

sustainability.mit.edu

Julie Newman would these new facilities that are built elsewhere have not been built as clean sources but for this vppa? I wish there were some efforts to invest locally in environmental justice communities and equity communities to reduce their dependence on fossil fuel electricity, even a 20% investment. Sunwealth Jon Abe

Would love to connect and discuss community impacts and alignment with community-led EJ organizing in the city. At 1SW, we build collaborative governance structures and community-led policy projects.

Congratulations - love to see the partnership and the amazing work!

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Erica Mattison

Executive Coach | Career Advisor | Team-Building & Professional Development Workshop Facilitator | Author: "Clarifying What Matters: Creating Direction for Your Career"

3w

Excellent! Together, we're stronger. 👏 #collaboration #climatesolutions

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Mark Orlowski

CEO and Founder, GRITS and Sustainable Endowments Institute. Experienced social entrepreneur focused on climate change. Over two decades of leading sustainability organizations and initiatives.

3w

Great to see Julie. Congrats to you and everyone else involved with pulling this collaboration together.

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Awesome news. Great work.

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Ana Margarida Costa

Head of Sustainability | Professor of Practice of Sustainability at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia

2w

Fantastic milestone, Julie Newman! A great example of collective action on the climate crisis!

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Ruben (鲁本) Flores-Marzan, AICP, PhD(ABD)

Policy Advisor, Environmental & Community Affairs

3w

Massachusetts Institute of Technology walking the walk! - R.

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