At Mil Cities Community Investments + Foundation for Business Equity, we strongly believe that you should have access to clean energy for a healthier and safer community. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many individuals. In 2020, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) reported that a disproportionate number of Hispanic, Black, and Native American households face a higher energy burden nationally compared to white households. Additionally, the national average energy burden for low-income households is three times higher than higher income households, as reported by the Department of Energy (DOE). The transition towards clean energy should prioritize the communities that are most adversely affected by climate change, which are often minority and low-income communities.
For Earth Month, we have identified four key areas and curated a list of resources for each to provide guidance and tips to homeowners who are interested in learning more: Energy Efficient Homes, Solar Panels, Electrical Vehicles, and Saving on Energy Bills. Additionally, we invite you explore our Home Improvement, Solar Plus, Lead Removal, and Mass Save® HEAT Loan programs to learn more about how we can support you as well. Happy Earth Month!
Energy Efficient Homes
As defined by Energy Star, “energy efficiency means using less energy to get the same job done – and in the process, cutting energy bills and reducing pollution.” One of the most effective ways for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint, save money on energy bills, and create a healthier living environment for their families is to install energy-efficient systems and appliances in their homes. This could include measures such as adding more insulation to the house to reduce heat loss, installing heat pumps, or exploring alternative power sources such as solar energy. To assist you in getting started, we have provided some resources below. At MCCI, we offer Home Improvement loans, which include upgrades to inefficient cooling and heating systems, in addition to being a Mass Save® HEAT Loan lender. To learn more, please refer to the resources listed below.
There are many advantages to installing solar panels in your home. By doing so, you can decrease your electricity bills, avoid increasing energy costs, boost your property value, reduce your environmental impact, and qualify for tax benefits and rebates. However, not everyone is familiar with the process of installing solar panels and the available options. For residents of Lawrence, MCCI offers our Solar Plus loan program – a flexible and affordable low-interest loan for owner-occupied homes with fixed monthly payments. If you are interested in learning more about our Solar Plus loan program, click here and check out the resources below.
Resources
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC): Solar Energy
The first electric car (EV) was introduced in America in 1890. While it gained popularity, EVs were quickly overtaken by gas-powered cars which were cheaper to mass-produce. However, there has been a renewed interest in electric cars as gas prices continue to surge and the environmental crisis worsens. Although electric vehicles have been traditionally more expensive, more automobile manufacturers are creating affordable options, and there are many tax and rebate programs available to help people access the environmental and cost benefits of owning an electric car. Check out the resources below to learn more.
Every person and household can benefit from energy-efficient solutions that can reduce their electric bills. The cost of electricity has been increasing at a rate of 2.36% per year for the past 25 years, so it is both economically and environmentally necessary to explore clean energy and energy efficiency options. At MCCI, we offer various options for residential loans that can help reduce energy costs. However, you don’t need to make significant changes to save on your energy bills. We’ve included resources below for tax rebates and programs, as well as simple tips that you can implement to reduce your energy usage. If you want to learn more about what we offer, feel free to reach out to us!
We’re excited to grow our team and welcome a thoughtful, mission-driven leader into the role of Small Business Lending Director. This newly created position plays a key role in our next phase of growth, leading day-to-day lending operations, managing portfolio performance, and expanding access to capital for small businesses across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. If you’re passionate about supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening local economies, and advancing financial equity, we’d love to hear from you.
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The Nectar Community Investments residential team recently attended the 2025 MassEnergize Conference, which proved to be a thoughtful and impactful event full of advocacy, connection, and shared commitment to climate action at the community level. Residential Services Director Lissette Paukert spoke on a panel about funding residential decarbonization, joining representatives from Mass Save, the Community Climate Bank and Abode to talk about ways we can make energy efficiency upgrades more accessible and affordable for Massachusetts residents. Here are a few of her insights from the conversation.
What are the biggest challenges Nectar clients face in pursuing decarbonization projects?
These days, we see some fear of financial uncertainty and a lack of trust in the energy industry due to aggressive, predatory-like marketing behaviors. That’s also due to divisiveness and misinformation in our current environment, including whether climate change is real and if decarbonization efforts even matter. When you have limited cash flow, you invest carefully in products that are going to last and not cause issues. There needs to be clear and truthful messaging around the impact of decarbonization, from both an economic and environmental perspective. Not only do homeowners need education, but it’s just as important that the contractors and all professionals …
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for Nectar’s official launch in Rhode Island. We’re thrilled to be working in the Ocean State, and engaging with the entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners and other attendees at the event boosted our sense of excitement and community.
Since our founding in Massachusetts in 2008, we’ve made it our mission to invest in community and build generational wealth. We’re continuing that commitment in Rhode Island — today, tomorrow and well into the future. This launch event was only the beginning! We’re looking forward to working together, supporting dedicated small business owners, and collaborating with ecosystem partners to build on their successful efforts throughout the state.
