For More Information Contact: 

Mariel Marchand

Power Supply Planner

Mariel.marchand@capelightcompact.org

508-375-6623

South Yarmouth, MA –

– Cape Light Compact has received $341,157 in funding for phase 2 of its electric bike (e-bike) rebate program for income-eligible residents on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. The program will continue to work with Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard bike shops to provide point-of-sale rebates on e-bikes, with a focus on serving low-income residents. and aims to address the mobility challenges low-income residents often face in areas where public transportation is less accessible.

The extension of the program is made possible with supplemental funding provided to Cape Light Compact, a grantee of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) Accelerating Clean Transportation for All (ACT4All) program, and funding from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Climate Trust. Phase 2 of the program will provide two types of vouchers depending on customer income eligibility. A standard voucher will cover 75% of the cost of a Class 1 e-bike, up to $1,200. An enhanced voucher will cover 90% of the cost of a Class 1 e-bike, up to $1,500. All customers will receive an additional $125 voucher to purchase biking accessories such as a helmet or lock.

“The e-bike rebate program will continue to add to the Compact’s comprehensive list of customer rebates and incentives to assist Cape and Vineyard residents reduce their carbon footprint and save energy,” said Compact Administrator Maggie Downey.

The projects funded by the ACT4All program, including Cape Light Compact’s program, aim to serve a range of Massachusetts residents, including those in Environmental Justice (EJ) neighborhoods across the state, with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving overall quality of life.

In Massachusetts, an EJ population is a neighborhood where one or more of the following criteria are true: (i) the annual median household income is 65 percent or less of the statewide annual median household income; (ii) minorities make up 40 percent or more of the population; (iii) 25 percent or more of households identify as speaking English less than "very well"; (iv) minorities make up 25 percent or more of the population and the annual median household income of the municipality in which the neighborhood is located does not exceed 150 percent of the statewide annual median household income. There are over 40 EJ neighborhoods on the Cape and Martha’s Vineyard.

According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Environmental Justice is based on the principle that all people have a right to be protected from environmental hazards and to live in and enjoy a clean and healthful environment. EJ is the equal protection and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies and the equitable distribution of environmental benefits.

“MassCEC is working with local partners to expand access to affordable clean transportation options across Massachusetts, especially for low-income populations and Environmental Justice communities,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “We’re thrilled that this funding through our Accelerating Clean Transportation for All program will help Cape Light Compact expand e-bike rebates for residents on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard!”

Through Phase 1 of the Compact’s program, 232 customers redeemed vouchers for Class 1 e-bikes across the seven participating bike shops. The Compact anticipates issuing approximately 165 vouchers through Phase 2.

Bike shops on the Cape and Vineyard who are interested in participating in the program should contact Mariel Marchand at mariel.marchand@capelightcompact.org. Customers interested in receiving an e-bike voucher through the program should contact Cape Light Compact at 1-800-797-6699 or visit the Compact’s website at https://www.capelightcompact.org/ebikerebate/ to apply.

A sponsor of Mass Save, the Compact is an energy efficiency service provider, and offers Cape and Vineyard residents a competitively-priced renewable power supply option through municipal aggregation.

ABOUT CAPE LIGHT COMPACT JPE

Cape Light Compact JPE, is an award-winning energy services organization operated by the 21 towns on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard and Dukes County. The Compact’s mission is to serve its 205,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy and renewable competitive electricity supply. For more information, visit www.capelightcompact.org.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts.