Decarbonization from the Ground Up: Climate Advocacy and Utility Partnerships
What happens when climate activists and gas utility leaders find common ground? In Massachusetts, the result has been the first-in-the-nation networked geothermal heating and cooling system – an innovative model for decarbonization that’s now being considered by utilities and communities across the country. Zeyneb Magavi, Executive Director of HEET, and Liam Needham, Director of Customer Thermal Solutions at Eversource Energy, shared how their unlikely coalition came together, what it took to earn trust and build the Framingham pilot project, how to engage customers and community leaders, and how this replicable model offers a path toward equitable clean energy transitions nationwide. This Carsey Policy Hour was offered jointly with the New England Municipal Sustainability (NEMS) Network and the UNH Sustainability Institute.
Watch the Video
View the Presentation Slides
- Presentation by Zeyneb Magavi, HEET: #Think Thermal, Together
- Presentation by Liam Needham, Eversource: Networked Geothermal Pilot
About the Speakers
Zeyneb Magavi is Executive Director of HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team), where she designed and helped to launch the GasToGeo initiative to drive rapid, efficient, and equitable decarbonization of heating and cooling through deployment of ambient geothermal networks. Today GasToGeo demonstration projects are moving forward across the country, and Zeyneb has convened an independent research team to study these first transitions. Zeyneb studied physics, global health, and sustainability and has worked at BBN Technologies, Harvard, MIT, and multiple startups. She is committed to creating and driving forward compassionate, multi-disciplinary, and innovative solutions to the urgent challenge of climate change.
Liam Needham is the Director of Customer Thermal Solutions within Eversource’s gas business unit. He is responsible for marketing, customer connections, and major account management across Eversource’s gas business, which includes traditional and clean technology offerings. He plays a lead role in policy efforts regarding the future of natural gas and other strategic initiatives that help Eversource provide safe, reliable, cost-effective clean energy solutions to meet its customers’ needs. Liam’s team has successfully brought a first-in-the-nation Networked Geothermal Pilot to Framingham, Massachusetts, and is working on the next phase of making this technology an accessible option for customers.
Liam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing from Babson College. Before joining Eversource, Liam held various leadership roles at NiSource within the Sales and Marketing organization.
