LYNN — For anyone who has ever wondered how to lower an energy bill, Lynn’s Energy Advocate Cameron Foley may just have the answer.
Foley, who assumed the new grant-funded position in November, is working to empower Lynn residents and businesses to make energy-efficient upgrades. The grant funding comes through Mass Save, a collaborative of Massachusetts’ electric and natural gas, utilities, and energy efficiency service providers, including Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, Liberty, National Grid, and Unitil. The program offers customers a wide range of services, rebates, incentives, training, and information. The City of Lynn is one of 58 municipalities and community-based organizations considered Community First Partners throughout the state, all receiving annual funding for an energy advocate and local marketing efforts.
Foley, originally from Ipswich, earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and environmental sustainability from Salem State University and her master’s in public policy with a concentration in sustainability and climate change policy from Northeastern University. While earning her degrees, she served as a congressional intern for Rep. Seth Moulton and as a research assistant for the Boston Municipal Research Bureau.
“That really spiked my interest in municipal work,” said Foley. “I was also involved with the Sunrise Movement at Salem State, promoting an energy-efficient future with legislators, so I was taking a lot of classes around that.”
Foley’s position in Lynn is funded for three years, but she hopes there may be an opportunity to work in the community beyond that.
“I’ve really enjoyed working in Lynn,” she said. “Everyone is very passionate about living or working here, and there’s a strong people-helping-people feel. It’s been really rewarding finding ways to support residents, and more often than not, there’s a solution we can find.”
Foley has been tasked with educational outreach, trying to connect with as many individuals as she can. She has distributed materials around the city, worked with organizations such as senior centers, and led presentations and ward-based energy workshops. Many residents and renters qualify for no-cost home assessments, weatherization upgrades, rebates on air or ground source heat pumps, discounts on smart thermostats, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and more.
“We are pleased to have Cameron in this position to help both residents and the City save on energy costs,” said Mayor Jared Nicholson. “Sustainability is always a priority, and we know we can benefit greatly from this work.”
As part of her work, she is often performing energy bill check-ups, which helps individuals understand line items on their bills, enroll in income-based discounts, exit predatory contracts, and enroll in long-term efficiency savings.
“There’s a problem with third-party energy suppliers posing as other companies or offering false promotions, so we’re sometimes seeing people being charged triple what National Grid would charge them,” said Foley. “We’re trying to bring environmental justice to the community.”
To learn more about the Community First Partnership, visit: Mass Save | Community First | Lynn. For questions or concerns, Foley can be reached at [email protected] or 781-268-0487. Translation services and materials are available in Spanish, Khmer, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese. Every second Tuesday of the month, Foley holds office hours in the Lynn City Hall foyer from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Residents are encouraged to bring their electric and gas bills or termination notices, or come chat about Mass Save.
