MCC Sustainability Plans Align with State’s Net-zero Emissions Goal

In 2023, Middlesex Community College completed a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan and incorporated a Decarbonization Plan to align with the state’s net-zero emissions goal. While supporting the college’s long-term financial sustainability, the plans are guiding many upcoming facilities and capital investment decisions.

“With the support of President Sisson and the Board of Trustees, we have successfully leveraged board-designated sustainability funds alongside state initiatives to advance key projects that improve campus efficiency and infrastructure,” said Allison Chambers, MCC’s Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer. “These investments represent a true win-win – reducing operating costs, strengthening the college's financial health, and advancing the Commonwealth's clean energy goals through responsible environmental stewardship.”

As part of the plans, Middlesex is adding electric vehicles (EV) to the campus fleet. The goal is to replace seven gas-powered vehicles with EVs over three years, including adding three vehicles this summer. To support the shift, dedicated charging stations for fleet vehicles have already been installed on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses. The college has also expanded access to sustainable transportation by installing public EV charging stations on the Bedford campus, available this summer for students, faculty, staff, and the public.

The college is in process of installing devices in the Bedford and Lowell campus buildings to participate in the Commonwealth’s Energy Intelligence (CEI) platform. CEI provides real-time energy usage data across state-owned facilities. Participation in the program allows Middlesex to identify inefficiencies, reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and improve long-term energy management.

Middlesex participates as an offtaker in a solar farm, generating bill credits that offset energy expenses. To maximize the financial benefit of the credits, PowerOptions completed an analysis to reallocate credits across the College’s electricity accounts.

“MCC is proud to serve as the host agency for two 5MW solar projects reinforcing the college’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community partnership,” said Christina Kelley, MCC’s Director of Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, & Sustainability. “Through the net-metering program, the energy generated by the solar projects will provide valuable utility bill credits, reducing energy costs, for local community organizations such as the City of Lowell.”

In the summer of 2024, Middlesex knocked down the former Bedford House to turn the site into green space with an outdoor amphitheater for instructional use Part of the Campus Carbon Footprint Reduction Projects, the college is also selling the Springs Road Parking Lot near the VA.

Throughout the spring 2026 semester, MCC converted bottled water dispensing units to touchless, bottleless filtered water stations. Supporting MCC’s sustainability goals. This initiative eliminates more than 2,100 five-gallon plastic bottles annually and reduces transportation emissions.

This summer, Middlesex is replacing transformers on the Lowell Campus’s Cowan Center and Federal Building. The goal is to improve system reliability and reduce energy inefficiencies. Looking ahead, the college is planning a solar canopy project on the Bedford Campus. Middlesex is in the early exploration stages of installing the canopy to generate on-site renewable energy and provide covered parking.

“For three years, we have been working hand in glove with our partners at the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to help Governor Maura Healey meet her long-term decarbonization goals for the Commonwealth,” said Patrick Cook, MCC’s Vice-President of Administration. “Using our completed Master Plan and Decarbonization studies as our roadmaps, we have already taken dramatic steps forward. Knowing what we still have on the horizon, Middlesex is uniquely poised to continue brainstorming innovative ways to keep our campuses in Lowell and Bedford on track to establish long-lasting sustainability victories.”