FAQ: CELT Energy Transition Atlas

What is the CELT Energy Transition Atlas?
The CELT Energy Transition Atlas is a publicly available interactive online mapping platform that visualizes key clean energy indicators across municipalities in Massachusetts, with geospatial data available to support planning and decision-making by state agencies, local governments, and stakeholders involved in clean energy transition efforts. The dashboard is continuously updated, with more features and data layers being added regularly.

What is CELT?
Launched in 2024, the Clean Energy and Environment Legacy Transition (CELT) Initiative is a program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in partnership with UMass Lowell and Boston University, to advance an equitable energy transition across the state, empowering communities and training the next generation of climate and clean energy leaders. One of its key pillars is the provision of data to support decision-making, under the leadership of Boston University at the Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS). The Atlas is an outcome of this target area.

Who developed this tool, and what is its purpose?
The Atlas is part of the state-supported CELT initiative aimed at advancing clean energy projects. It was developed by faculty, experts, research analysts, and GIS professionals based at IGS to provide reliable spatial data to inform local and regional clean energy planning.

What types of data are available in the tool?
The Atlas includes datasets on several key clean energy indicators, including energy costs, energy infrastructure, energy efficiency, and several categories related to relevant clean energy policies, including electric vehicles use, GHG emissions, energy justice, and specific state policies, along with demographic and other relevant indicators.

How can I access the Energy Transition Atlas?
You can access the Atlas through any web browser at this link. No additional special software is needed. Any user can print or download a map or zoom into specific areas of interest.

How do I use the Energy Transition Atlas?
To make the most of this tool, you can watch a companion video that walks through the key features of the Atlas and shows you where to find different types of data.

On the left side of the screen, there are categories listed in the drop-down menu. You can toggle between the categories you are interested in, and then select individual map layers (via hyperlinked text) to visualize the map for that variable. The legend in the bottom left corner explains how to interpret the visualizations you are seeing. If you would like to zoom into a particular region or municipality, you can use the plus button in the top left corner or the scroll function on your mouse. You can also search for the name of a particular location in the search bar and hit enter. To learn more about a particular location, you can click on it to display a pop-up window. When you are finished and ready to explore another map, simply click on the hyperlink you are interested in, and the new map will be rendered in the display window.

Can I download the data layers used in the tool?
The data source inventory that outlines the structure of the Atlas is available here. It includes type of data, data description and sources, spatial and temporal resolution collection methods, and update frequency. When available, the inventory provides links to the sources of the data layers so users can get additional information. If you are interested in a specific dataset, please contact us at MACELT@bu.edu, and we can forward you the files. To download a PDF of a mapping visualization in the tool, you can click on the print icon in the top left corner to export the image you are currently rendering.

How should I cite maps or data from the Energy Transition Atlas?
For general information, cite the tool as: Boston University CELT Data Team, CELT Energy Transition Atlas, (2025), https://bucas.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/portfolio/index.html?appid=ea07ae399445465e9dd2448f211affc0

However, each dataset and map may need specific citation guidance. Be sure to check for any attribution requirements listed in the metadata.

Can I customize or create my own maps using the tool?
Not at this point. If you require custom views using available layers, filters, or basemaps, please send a request to MACELT@bu.edu and we will reach out to discuss the options. However, you are able to adjust the view of any of our existing maps to meet your needs and save it as a PDF.

Who do I contact for questions or technical support?
For questions, data requests, or technical issues, please contact the project team at MACELT@bu.edu or use the “contact us” section within the Atlas.

How often is the data updated, and how do I know what’s new?
Datasets are updated regularly, with frequency depending on the source. Check on each indicator to find out the latest available data for it. The legend of each map displays the years of data that are being represented, so this is the best way to tell how recently something has been updated. New data layers are also being added to the Atlas as they become available. Indicators will be marked as “new” if they are just added to the Atlas.  If you have questions or notifications about new, more recent available sources, please use the “contact us” section to let us know.