Policymakers have long wondered how to reduce carbon emissions caused by the heating and cooling systems in Boston’s office towers, universities, and hospitals.

It turns out one big answer to this vexing question could be found right in front of them — in the Charles River.

Vicinity Energy, the private equity-backed owner of Boston’s and Cambridge’s steam system, has signed an agreement with MAN Energy Solutions to build a low-temperature source heat pump system at Vicinity’s plant near Cambridge’s Kendall Square to make steam. The source of those low temperatures? Water from the Charles River.

Read more here >> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/05/01/business/new-energy-source-downtown-boston-charles-river/#:~:text=The%20owner%20of%20a%20Kendall,,%202023,%204:10%20p.m.