Massachusetts
A first-of-its-kind geothermal system will cool and heat dozens of homes in Massachusetts
A Massachusetts neighborhood could be the envy of sustainability enthusiasts in the state after it was picked by an energy provider as the location to install the first-ever utility-run geothermal network in the country.
Geothermal energy itself — the process of using gravity and water to power buildings — is not new. But Eversource, an energy provider serving customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, is the first utility company to install and run a geothermal network that will power dozens of homes and businesses in a state-designated “environmental justice” neighborhood in Framingham, a town of about 71,000 located between Worcester and Boston.
About three dozen homes and businesses in Framingham will be retrofitted to have the structures obtain their cooling and heating from the network. The neighborhood was chosen because of its environmental justice population, which included some lower income and immigrant residents. That population drove the need to create affordability for utility bills, Ania Camargo, senior manager of thermal networks at the Building Decarbonization Coalition, told ABC News.
In Massachusetts, an environmental justice population is one where one or more of the following criteria are true: the annual median household income is 65 percent or less of the statewide annual median household income, and minorities make up 40 percent or more of the population.
Typically, only the wealthiest of residents would have access to the funds needed to retrofit their homes for geothermal energy, Camargo said.
“So there is a little bit of an equity issue going on, because the people who can’t afford it are staying on the system,” she said.
Eric and Jennifer Mauchan’s Cape Cod-style home in Framingham, Massachusetts, is included in a pilot program for the first-ever utility-run geothermal network.
Courtesy of Eric Mauchan
Both residential and commercial customers are expected to see significant cost savings — up to 20% savings off their average utility bill, Nikki Bruno, vice president of clean technologies at Eversource, told ABC News. Broadly, Eversource expects a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from those customers, Bruno said
Experts were aiming for a mixed-use community — a combination of homes and businesses — for the pilot. As energy is pulled into a grocery store, which requires ample cooling, it is rejecting heat that can then be used to warm homes down the street, Camargo said.
Residents in the neighborhood are currently relying on gas and oil for their heating needs, and electricity to power their air conditioners — most of them not central air, Eric Mauchan, a homeowner whose Cape Cod-style home will be retrofitted for the new system, told ABC News.
The buildings are expected to maintain an average temperature of about 70 degrees. Since it is a pilot program, Eversource will pay for the installations in each building.
For the first time ever, a utility company has created a geothermal network to power homes and businesses in Framingham, Massachusetts.
Eversource
Local residents Eric and Jennifer Mauchan feel like they “won the home lottery” after they were picked as candidates for the pilot program, they said.
“Everyone knows that our neighborhood has been chosen,” Jennifer Mauchan said. “Everyone is envious of our situation.”
As of Tuesday, the $15 million networked geothermal system was up and running, according to Eversource. Customer conversions for the first loop will continue through the summer, and Eversource plans to connect more loops to the new network in the coming years, Bruno said.
Gina Richard, owner of the Corner Cabinet Corporation, told ABC News she was making plans to replace the 20-year-old heating system at her business when she was approached by Eversource in late 2021. Now, the utility company will cover the cost.
Building Decarbonization Coalition
Richard expects her utility bills — sometimes running up to $1,000 a month for her 3,000 square foot store front — to be significantly lowered due to the switch, she said.
“It just seemed like a win win when they offered the pilot program,” she said.
On a wider scale, the switch to sustainable methods to power homes and businesses is expected to have a significant impact to emissions mitigation. Buildings account for about 30% of economy-wide emissions due to the fossil fuels expended to complete simple tasks such as cooking, laundry and cooling and heating homes, according to the International Energy Agency, an intergovernmental organization.
What Eversource has demonstrated with its pilot is that buildings don’t need to be transitioned one at a time and that whole neighborhoods can be eliminated from fossil fuels at once, Camargo said.
Thermal energy networks are the most efficient method in existence to heat and cool buildings, Camargo said. Instead of gas, water is carried through the pipes buried beneath the earth, and furnaces inside buildings are replaced with ground source heat pumps connected to water loops — a system that works akin to a conveyor belt transferring energy from inside to out or from outside to in.
“The reason why it’s so efficient is because we’re transferring energy,” Camargo said. “We are not creating new energy. We’re just literally transferring it.”
A geothermal network has been installed to power dozens of homes and businesses in Framingham, Massachusetts.
Building Decarbonization Coalition
Massachusetts is closing the gap with California and New York for the conception and implementation of climate technology. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy has even written a $1 billion proposal for Massachusetts to become a global leader in climate technology.
The emergence of environmental startups and think tanks are among the reasons why the Bay State may emerge as the nation’s climate solution hub in the near future, some experts say.
“Massachusetts is on the cutting edge of leading an unprecedented clean energy transition in New England, and our networked geothermal pilot exemplifies the collaboration that is essential to achieving decarbonization goals,” said Joe Nolan, chairman, president and CEO of Eversource.
It remains to be seen whether geothermal networks will spread to other areas. In addition to the funds needed to retrofit homes, geothermal energy is location restricted and can’t be used everywhere. Locations that offer constant heat flow form the center of the earth — such as Iceland and the western U.S. states and Hawaii — are ideal locations for geothermal systems to be installed.
City of Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky said in a statement to ABC News that the city is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and recognizes “the critical role” that solutions like networked geothermal will play in achieving this goal.
“With deep gratitude to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Eversource, HEET, and the many other local organizations and community members who have helped us to reach this remarkable milestone, we look forward to the connection of residents, businesses, and municipal facilities to this network through the official launch of the pilot and exploring future opportunities to extend the benefits of clean heating and cooling across the community,” the statement added.
BROOKFIELD – The Brookfield community gathered for a candlelight vigil Friday night, marking two years since the disappearance of 35-year-old Brittany Tee on January 10, 2023.
The community packed the Brookfield Congregational Church, surrounding the family and vowing to keep looking for Brittany.
Since that January 10th day, her family has been carrying an unrelenting weight on their hearts, not knowing where she is.
“Where is she? What happened to her?”
“They say time heals all wounds, but I disagree, not when your family member disappears out of nowhere without a trace,” said Brittany’s sister Bethany Tee. “Time is making that wound bigger. There is no healing, no closure, just daily heaviness in your heart and constant thoughts of worry. Where is she? What happened to her? Is she safe? Are we doing enough?”
The 35-year-old was last seen leaving the Main Street house she shared with her boyfriend that Tuesday evening. Despite efforts to reach her, she was never seen again.
A nearby river and woods have been searched extensively with no results.
DA attends vigil
Worcester Country District Attorney Joseph Early joined the vigil to assure the community investigators are still working the case.
“It doesn’t always happen as quickly as we would like, and that’s the tough part, that’s tough, the anxiety, the wonder,” said DA Early. “But I can tell you this, everything they do they do it better than anyone I’ve ever seen.”
Two years later, they hold onto every hope, hug, kind word and prayer, refusing to give up on finding Brittany.
“We are not giving up; we will never give up. We love and miss you Brit and we’ll bring you home,” said Bethany Tee.
The night she was last seen, Brittany wore a black winter coat, a hoodie, jeans, and work boots.
An anonymous tip line has been set up at (508) 453-7589. People are encouraged to call if they know anything or something comes to mind.
Massachusetts
EZDriveMA text message scam resurfaces. Here’s what Massachusetts drivers should do if you get one.
BOSTON – A texting scam targeting drivers in Massachusetts has resurfaced. It claims that drivers owe money for unpaid E-ZPass tolls through EZDriveMA.
The scam first appeared back in June and recently surged again during the holidays, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
EZDriveMA scam – how it works
The scammers target drivers using “smishing” where they send a text or email saying they are part of the tolling agency. They claim that a driver has an unpaid toll and that they should settle their bill using a link provided before late fees occur.
“They’re really playing to your psyche, asking you to make sure you avoid these charges and try to do the right thing. And unfortunately, it really gets people roped in,” MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver told WBZ-TV Friday.
MassDOT urges customers to never click links sent by unknown numbers or emails. They emphasized that they will never send a bill or any information through a text message.
Gulliver says the scam targets people with phone numbers near tolling authorities. The scammers do not have any specific information about their targets but hope to get personal and financial information through the link. He said that he personally received one of the messages.
Dartmouth Police issued a warning to residents about the scam making the rounds again, saying that an officer personally received one of the messages.
What to do if you receive a scam text message
If you think you have received a scam text message, officials say you should not click on any links, do not respond to the message, and do not give out any personal information. They advise people to ignore the message completely and delete it before interacting with it.
If you are concerned about a message, you can validate the authenticity of it by going directly to the toll website or calling the toll authority at 877-627-7745.
If you have already clicked on a link, MassDOT recommends taking precautions to secure your financial and personal information and disputing any unknown charges through your bank.
“First thing you should do, don’t call us. Call your bank or your credit card. If you have already given them some information, make sure you put a hold on whatever account you have, work with their fraud unit to make sure that you’re not exposing yourself to anything more,” Gulliver said.
If you believe you have received one of these scam text messages, you can file a complaint with the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ICC).
Past E-ZPass scam
This type of “smishing” scam surged in Massachusetts in 2024. The scam similarly included an invoice advising people to settle an overdue EZDriveMa bill using a provided link.
A retired FBI agent said the scam was successful because it collected cash in small amounts and that people may not have been aware that they had passed through a toll.
Massachusetts
Thursday’s six biggest high school takeaways, including a Gatorade award and a new all-time leading scorer in Saugus – The Boston Globe
While Newton North claimed its third straight Division 1 championship in the fall, on Thursday Sasha Selivan became the first Tiger to be named Gatorade Massachusetts Volleyball Player of the Year.
“Sasha is in a league of her own as far as Massachusetts’ setters go,” said Bishop Feehan coach Heidi Bruschi. “No one else I’ve seen comes close.”
The 5-foot-9-inch sophomore led the Tigers to a 24-1 record with 673 assists, 133 digs, and 115 kills. In the Division 1 final, a 3-0 win over Brookline, she recorded 26 assists and four aces. Selivan is ranked as the nationals’ No. 128 player in the Class of 2027, according to PrepVolleyball, and was the Division 1 tournament MVP and a Division 1 All-State selection.
She maintains an A average in the classroom and volunteers locally as a youth volleyball coach and mentor.
2. DiBiasio keeps scoring for Saugus
While Saugus assistant coach Norma Waggett watched, junior Peyton DiBiasio broke her coach’s all-time program scoring record by netting 27 points to surpass the mark of 1,100 Waggett set in 2013. Saugus lost, 51-40, to Minuteman to fall to 5-2.
3. On to college
In Danvers, St. John’s Prep announced 18 college commitments across eight sports:
Football
Merrick Barlow (Newburyport) to Naval Academy
Graham Roberts (Swampscott) to Harvard
Baseball
Will Shaheen (Portsmouth, N.H.) to Harvard
Nic Lembo (Danvers) to High Point
Lacrosse
Charlie Angell (Winchester) to Pennsylvania
Ryan DeLucia (Winchester) to Georgetown
Luke Kelly (Marblehead) to Michigan
Cameron McCarthy (Marblehead) to Loyola Maryland
JP Sullivan (Swampscott) to Saint Anselm
Jack Weissenburger (Marblehead) to Harvard
Sam Wilmot (Topsfield) to Richmond
Golf
Tripp Hollister (Sudbury) to Bryant
Cross-country
Daniel Padley (South Hamilton) to Holy Cross
Swimming and diving
Kye McClory (Lynnfield) to Holy Cross
Greg Santosus (Marblehead) to Virginia Military Institute
Tennis
Luke Prokopis (Lynnfield) to Holy Cross
Jack Prokopis (Lynnfield) to Holy Cross
Track and field
Noah Kabel (Swampscott) to Sacred Heart
4. Western Mass shuffle
Lots of league movement in Western Mass, particularly in football and girls’ soccer. Check out the reporting from Jesse Koldokin at the Eagle Tribune and Gage Nutter at MassLive.
Here’s the Cliff’s notes version: Chicopee Comprehensive and Holyoke will leave the AA League and be replaced by West Springfield and East Longmeadow. The Tri-County loses Springfield International and gains Belchertown.
In the Suburban South, Wahconah is joined by Pittsfield, Putnam, and Chicopee Comprehensive. The Suburban North will feature Taconic and South Hadley, plus Hoosac Valley, Lee, Easthampton, and Holyoke.
The Intercounty South sees Chicopee, Ludlow, Springfield International, and Northampton join Commerce and Frontier. The Intercounty North remained unchanged.
In girls’ soccer, the Berkshire League’s Grieve division will be Drury, Wahconah, Pittsfield, Lenox, Monument Valley and Mount Greylock. McCann and Hoosac Valley move to the Pioneer South and Taconic, Lee, and Mt. Everett move to the Tri-County North.
5. Thursday’s leaderboard
The top scoring performance of the night came in a defeat as Jacob Klass dropped 35 points for Beverly in a 77-73 loss to Gloucester that saw Nick Deleon score 26 for the Fishermen.
Minuteman’s Muji Vader nabbed 11 steals and added 24 points in a 63-19 win over KIPP Academy, sophomore Divine Egbuta led Lynn Classical with 26 points in a 58-46 win over Somerville, and Notre Dame (Hingham) junior Elle Orlando packed the box score with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 steals in a 72-35 win over Ursuline.
On the ice, Newburyport’s Olivia Wilson netted a hat trick in a 7-3 win over Stoneham/Wilmington and Justin Thibert delivered three goals for Shawsheen in a 9-1 win against Nashoba Tech/Greater Lowell.
Freshman netminder Suki ten Brinke saved all 18 shots she faced to record her first shutout of the season in Lincoln-Sudbury’s 3-0 win over Westford, and Central Catholic junior Sydney Foster made 21 saves in her first shutout of the season, a 7-0 defeat of Wayland.
6. Linked up
Before we bid adieu, a few things we’ve written recently, starting with Trevor Hass’s story on Bishop Feehan honoring the late local hoops legend Mike Babul by wearing black wristbands featuring his initials during a win over Bishop Fenwick.
Brendan Kurie can be reached at brendan.kurie@globe.com. Follow him on X @BrendanKurie.
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