Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, joined by state energy officials, awarded $14,043,257 in Green Communities competitive grants to 72 municipalities across Massachusetts to fund clean energy projects.
The Baker-Polito Administration awarded $14,043,257 in Green Communities competitive grants to 72 municipalities across Massachusetts to fund clean energy projects. With this announcement, the largest in the program's seven-year history, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has awarded more than $80 million to Green Communities grants since the program's inception. One hundred and eighty-five Massachusetts cities and towns have currently earned the Green Communities designation.
“Today's grant announcement is the largest award in the Green Communities program history and represents our administration's commitment to supporting clean energy efforts for our partners in cities and towns across Massachusetts,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “The projects funded by these grants will allow cities and towns across the Commonwealth to reinvest their energy savings in vital public services like schools, public safety and local infrastructure.”
“As we work to meet our ambitious energy and emission reduction goals, the Green Communities program gives our municipal partners the resources they need to continue building upon the substantial energy progress each city and town has already made,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “We look forward to the continued success in energy innovation these grants will ensure across the Commonwealth.”
Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns must meet five criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding. The grants provide financial support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the designated communities' clean energy goals. This sixth annual round of DOER Green Communities competitive grants is awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards. Grants are capped at $250,000 per municipality.
“DOER's Green Communities program works with cities and towns from North Adams to Provincetown in an effort to fund programs that put Massachusetts on the forefront of clean energy innovation,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to giving our municipal partners the tools they need to find clean energy solutions that reduce long-term energy costs and strengthen local economies.”
“The efforts of the 72 communities receiving [more than] $14 million today are important as we work to meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals set forth under the Global Warming Solutions Act,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “These grants represent another milestone for both the communities and the Commonwealth as we continue to work collaboratively to build a clean, resilient, and affordable energy future.”
The grants announced fund a range of projects from ventilation system upgrades and high efficiency lighting to installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal buildings and facilities. Also included are projects to install LED streetlights, oil-to-gas heating system conversions, electric vehicles and electric vehicles charging stations.
Grants have been awarded to the following communities: Acton, Acushnet, Amesbury, Andover, Arlington, Ashburnham, Ashby, Auburn, Barre, Belchertown, Belmont, Beverly, Bridgewater, Brookline, Buckland, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Cohasset, Easton, Essex, Gloucester, Greenfield, Hanover, Hardwick, Harvard, Hatfield, Holland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Kingston, Lakeville, Lenox, Leverett, Lexington, Littleton, Manchester, Mashpee, Maynard, Medford, Melrose, Mendon, Milton, Monson, Montague, Natick, Newton, Northampton, Palmer, Pepperell, Rockland, Salem, Saugus, Scituate, Sherborn, Somerville, Sudbury, Sunderland, Sutton, Swampscott, Tewksbury, Truro, Tyngsborough, Wayland, Wellfleet, Westford, West Newbury, Westwood, Weymouth, Whately, Whitman, Winchester and Woburn.
All Green Communities commit to reducing municipal energy consumption by 20 percent over five years. These commitments amount to collective savings of 2,534,787 MMBtu, energy use equivalent to heating and powering nearly 20,000 homes, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 233,640 tons, equivalent to taking over 45,000 cars off the road.
For more information, visit www.mass.gov/eea/
energy-utilities-clean-tech/green-communities.
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