2019 Prioritization Process

Narrowing 156 climate-related policies down to two

In 2019, the Coalition was awarded a one-year planning grant by the Kresge Foundation to identify one to two policy ideas that could significantly impact greenhouse gas emissions, health, equity, and racism. The top two priorities identified were advocating for community choice energy and a race and health equity impact assessment requirement.


The coalition partners, Live Well Springfield, Arise for Social Justice, Way Finders, Neighbor to Neighbor,  Public Health Institute of Western Mass, and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, worked closely with stakeholders, Resident Advocates, and residents to narrow down to two policies out 156 in the Strong, Healthy, and Just: Climate Action Resilience Plan (CARP). Partners gathered community input and feedback in several ways, including a community conversation, a survey, and workshops.


Below are some of the materials the Coalition created to educate partners and the general public about these complex ideas:

Community Choice Energy

​A program the city of Springfield could set up to switch everyone in the city on basic Eversource electricity service over to clean energy like solar, wind, and hydropower.

Free and Safe Buses

All PVTA bus rides in the city will be free and safe for everyone.

Racial and Health Equity Impact Assessment

Require consideration of the racial and health impacts on people of color and other minority groups when the city begins a new project or procedure. 

Complete Streets Prioritization in Previously Redlined Neighborhoods

Invest more in sidewalks, bikeways, and transit in the neighborhoods in the city that historically have been under-invested in.