Acadia Center’s mission is to advance bold, effective clean energy solutions for a livable climate and a stronger, more equitable economy.

Grounded in impactful data analysis and inclusive partnerships and collaboration, we fight for economic and environmental policies that will have the greatest impact on carbon emissions in our region. Working at the intersection of government, industry, grassroots organizations, advocates and communities, Acadia Center develops courageous solutions for our region’s systemic energy challenges.

Together with policymakers, environmental justice partners, and donors, we can build an energy system that puts people front and center, shifting conversations to promote equitable solutions. We work to amplify voices that are not always heard or heeded, striving to find common ground so that our communities have clean, healthy, affordable energy so we all can thrive.

There is no time to waste : we must make the next decade count. The sea around New England’s coastlines is rising faster than the global average. Hurricanes are increasing in number and intensity – 2020 saw 30 tropical storms, forcing forecasters to dig deep into the Greek alphabet for names, and we are experiencing more heatwaves. With each passing year, the urgency grows to accelerate progress toward clean energy for people across the Northeast. Yet there is hope and progress. Most states in the Northeast have aggressive plans to decrease greenhouse gases and increase energy efficiency – many are well on their way to meeting 2020 goals. Jobs in renewable energy industries such as wind and solar are fast-growing and now outnumber jobs in the fossil fuel industry.  Still, more effort is needed.

Poor air quality, substandard housing, pre-weatherization issues and heating costs disproportionately impact communities of color and areas of rural poverty.  Equity is intrinsic to creating a clean energy future.

— Daniel Sosland, President, Acadia Center

 

Get to Know Acadia Center

Vision

Acadia Center envisions a low-carbon economy that uses advances in clean energy technology—not fossil fuels—to heat buildings, power vehicles, and generate electricity. The clean energy future has the potential to improve quality of life and human and environmental health while lowering greenhouse gas emissions that are pushing the climate towards an unstable and dangerous state. Acadia Center is working now to build the energy system of the future. Long-term infrastructure investment decisions being made today will lock in energy costs and options for decades to come. States and regional systems urgently need policy changes. Regulatory barriers that limit new technology need to be removed.  Acadia Center’s work is organized around four Areas of Focus that work towards the clean energy future from many different angles:

  • Advance Long-Term Climate Policy: influencing long-term pathways to emissions reductions.
  • Buildings and Transportation: moving towards electrified buildings and transportation, while supporting energy efficiency every step of the way, especially through improved housing and weatherization
  • Transition to Clean Energy Sources: reforming outdated utility regulations and financial rules so that the regional power grid embraces renewable energy, supplying the clean electricity our homes and transportation systems will need.
  • Changing the Climate Conversation: making complex issues accessible and seeking to engage people from all walks of life in creating a safe climate and clean energy future.

Values

To achieve our vision, Acadia Center is leading immediate action and is committed to long-term engagement. That includes everything from concept design to rule-making to implementation and monitoring progress. Acadia Center devises solutions and stays with the effort until results are achieved.

Policies based on credible evidence and analysis win consensus and have real impact. Results should be measurable and the information should be available to all stakeholders.

In addition, the best solutions take into account the interests and needs of everyone who has a stake in this process, which means that complex energy and climate decision-making processes ensure that the voices of all who are impacted by these decisions are heard and valued. and Acadia Center seeks to connect and partner with stakeholders including businesses, industry, environmental justice and consumer groups. Effective policy facilitates innovation, empowers consumers, distributes its benefits across all income groups and communities and grows the economy.