Transform the Northeast energy system by accelerating the shift to equitable, clean, efficient energy.
To meet our ambitious climate goals, we must accelerate the shift to a low-carbon energy infrastructure.
The U.S. Northeast is at an energy crossroads. Successful efforts to phase out the dirtiest fuels, promote energy efficiency, and regulate carbon have put this region at the forefront of a global response to climate change. However, to achieve the necessary emissions reductions —80% by 2050—will require a concerted push to deploy cleaner energy sources and achieve deeper efficiencies.
Toward that end, Barr seeks to accelerate the transformation of the Northeast energy system to equitable, clean, efficient energy. By that, we mean accelerating a massive scale-up of renewables and energy efficiency across the Northeast; promoting efforts to make the grid smarter to enable that scaling up; and supporting learning networks that help cities and states get smarter about the most effective strategies from around the world. To realize a region powered by clean energy will require radical reinvention of energy systems across the Northeast. This is both ambitious and necessary.
Grantmaking Priorities
Goal: Accelerate the expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Northeast, the phasing out of natural gas, and modernizing the electric grid to use more clean energy and give people more control over their energy.
Priorities:
- Build a diverse constituency for clean energy.
- Mobilize key stakeholders to advocate for equitable state and regional clean energy policies and programs.
- Promote a narrative connecting the benefits of clean energy to public health and resilience.
- Support research, analysis, and demonstration projects that can enhance policy decisions.
Explore our recent Clean Energy grants.
Clean Energy Team
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Kathryn Wright Senior Program Officer, Clean Energy
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Recent Clean Energy Blogs
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Blog Post
Three Questions with Kathryn Wright, Senior Program Officer for Clean Energy at the Barr Foundation, and Jay Campbell, Partner at Hart Research
Interview: Sam Schacht of Clean Energy States Alliance speaks with Kathryn Wright, Senior Program Officer for Clean Energy at the Barr Foundation, and Jay Campbell, Partner at Hart Research about what we can learn from the findings from their offshore wind survey.
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Blog Post
New Englanders Welcome the Clean Energy Transition
Recent focus groups underscore widespread enthusiasm for clean energy and urgency for electrification in New England
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Blog Post
What does it look like to center equity in HR?
Irina Cortez, Managing Director of Talent and Culture at Vote Solar on hiring, compensation, and advancement.
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