Building a path from clean energy ambition to investable projects

CITY OF SALEM OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY

Business Need
With a $250,000 grant, the City of Salem set out to develop a pipeline of clean energy projects that could attract public and private investment (P3 plan). Salem had an ambitious task: identify clean energy projects that could move beyond individual ideas and attract investment. One promising opportunity was Heaven & Earth, a community-led initiative exploring geothermal, solar, and battery systems. However, it also showed the complexity — Advancing projects forward, especially at this scale required more than technical feasibility: the city needed a clear consulting scope, input from the people and institutions involved, and a practical path toward financing and delivery.

The Space Between
In order to develop a viable project pipeline, the city needed to hear from the institutions, building owners, and community groups that might shape or participate in sustainability related work. It also needed a consulting partner who understood the assignment: perform out reach to the community, gather inputs on broad project possibilities, and identify what was feasible.

Working in System
My work began with drafting the consultant RFP and evaluation materials and helping review proposals. After a consultant firm was selected, weekly meetings, project materials, and in-person interviews with 19 stakeholder groups brought local perspectives into the planning. That engagement helped connect proposed projects with local priorities and the practical questions that would shape the conversations around participation, building costs, community benefit, and delivery execution.

Impact
The collaboration helped develop a structured clean energy project pipeline, with Heaven & Earth as the leading initiative advancing into further predevelopment work. Since then, the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank has dedicated $250,000 and the Essex County Community Foundation $50,000 to that next phase. State agencies are also contributing to building assessments, while Salem continues work on additional solar, battery, and school geothermal opportunities.