Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) applauded the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) inclusion of Lawrence as one of 22 communities nationwide selected for the Communities Local Energy Action Program (Communities LEAP). This first-of-its-kind initiative is designed to help energy-overburdened communities take control of their clean energy future.

“This vital federal investment will strengthen Lawrence’s transition toward a clean energy system that improves the lives of everyone who calls this city home,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. “Not only will this assistance reduce the strain on the city’s budget to overhaul its energy supply chain, but it’ll also create good paying jobs for Lawrence residents and help lower families’ utility payments in the years and decades to come. I’m grateful the Department of Energy chose to prioritize communities like Lawrence that may otherwise struggle to afford important initiatives like this.”

“As a low-income, energy-burdened community, our administration is thankful to our Lawrence federal delegation for its collective effort to ensure that our community is included in the Communities Local Energy Action Program,” said Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena. “This pilot is an excellent opportunity to mitigate the factors that keep our electricity bills high and a tool to boost our collective efforts to protect our environment from avoidable practices.”

Through Communities LEAP, Lawrence will receive support from DOE to create community-wide action plans that reduce local air pollution, increase energy resilience, lower utility costs and energy burdens, and provide long-term jobs and economic opportunity. DOE’s pilot Communities LEAP reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities to assist community-led transitions to a clean energy economy, and to build a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable future.

"The President committed to making a historic investment in our clean energy future and environmental justice," said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "With today's Communities LEAP announcement, we will use the power of the Federal government, DOE's National Labs and other experts to help our communities develop clear, actionable plans to reimagine their energy future and protect the health and safety of all residents." 

“Communities across the country must be able to take advantage of these historic investments in clean energy infrastructure, energy efficiency, and clean transportation,” said Mitch Landrieu, White House Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator. “Technical assistance programs like Communities LEAP will help ensure these communities are prepared for the many funding opportunities available from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as we transition to a clean energy economy.”

The 22 selected communities will work with DOE and its network of technical assistance providers, government and non-governmental partners, community-based organizations, utilities as well as environmental justice, economic development, and equitable investment organizations to develop roadmaps for clean energy economic development pathways. The inaugural Communities LEAP localities will pursue strategies for planning and investment in: 

• Energy efficient buildings and beneficial electrification 
• Clean energy development 
• Clean transportation and enhanced mobility 
• Carbon capture and storage 
• Critical minerals recovery 
• Resilient microgrids and energy storage 
• Manufacturing and industry opportunities

In 2018, a series of gas fires and explosions as a result of gas line over-pressurization caused over 15,000 residents of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover to evacuate their homes, with recovery efforts taking months. Lawrence is the quintessential energy justice community, with large communities of color and immigrant populations, and many residents experiencing low incomes and linguistic isolation.

Communities LEAP will support the exploration of opportunities in electrification and renewable energy for the residents and businesses in the Lawrence community – specifically the distribution and use of sustainable technologies such as heat pumps and community/rooftop solar. Increasing the accessibility of these sustainability measures and providing equitable opportunity for historically underserved populations is essential to continued community development.

###