RENEWABLE ENERGY WORCESTER (RENEW)
Renewable Energy Worcester is a Community Energy Cooperative run by Co-op Power members in Worcester County, MA to organize and advance the goals of energy justice and community resilience.
RENEW formed in 2016 following a successful community energy forum that brought residents from three different language communities into conversation about where energy comes from and why it matters, and introduced participants to local initiatives for a clean energy system. RENEW chose to become a Community Energy Co-operative of Co-op Power, taking over the previous Blackstone Valley Local Organizing Council of Co-op Power that was, at the time, inactive.
As a CEC, RENEW centers energy democracy in our outreach and community engagement. Our core group is made up of committed social justice and energy justice organizers with deep connections in the community. We strive to develop projects that will bring energy independence to our community while providing living-wage jobs to community residents.
Our first solar projects focused on nonprofit and low income residents in collaboration with Resonant Energy and Co-op Power's common office with support from a DOE SunShot "Solar in Your Community" Technical Assistance Award. We have prioritized faith-based organizations in this work.
Blackstone CEC 2014-2015 Annual Report
Contact RENEWWorcester@gmail.com to get involved or for more info.
The following organizations have affiliated with this CEC’s efforts:
The Social Venture Collaborative
Worcester Interfaith
Worcester Roots
Worcester Community Labor Coalition
Worcester SAGE Alliance
Stone Soup Collective and Community Resource Center
Worcester Clean Tech Incubator
Christian Community Church
St. John's Church
Mustard Seed, a Catholic Worker's House
Community Clean Energy Project (E4theFuture)
