NEW: Patrick Awards Green Communities Competitive Grants
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan and Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia today awarded $3.7 million in grants to fund scores of clean energy projects in 20 communities across the Commonwealth. The only community in Central Mass receiving grants is Athol, which received a total of $232,349 for DPW Garage/Water Treatment and the Athol Public Library.
DOER Green Communities Competitive Grants are awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants. Awards are capped at $250,000 per municipality.
“The clean energy revolution sweeping Massachusetts and it is happening largely because of the bold steps and smart decisions made at the local level," said Secretary Sullivan, whose office includes DOER. “I am pleased we are able to offer funding to allow these 20 communities to continue the good work they’ve begun.”
The grants, totaling $3,715,756, are funded through proceeds from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auctions (RGGI). The goal of the Green Communities Competitive Grant program is to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the clean energy goals of previously designated Green Communities. The projects range from upgrades to ventilation systems and lighting to installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal buildings and facilities.
“The cities and towns receiving these awards have already shown outstanding clean energy leadership – first by doing the work to become Green Communities and then by carrying out important energy efficiency and renewable energy projects funded through their initial grants,” said Commissioner Sylvia. “The projects funded through this new grant round will help them to make further progress toward energy independence while locking in long-term savings for local taxpayers.”
There are 110 Green Communities across the state and 45 percent of Massachusetts residents - 2.9 million people - live in Green Communities. All Green Communities commit to reducing their municipal energy consumption by 20 percent.
Through programs like the Green Communities program, Massachusetts has further reduced its reliance on foreign energy sources. Massachusetts has exceeded its 2017 goal of 250 megawatts of solar power - four years early. We now have 263 megawatts installed. That’s enough electricity to power more than 39,000 homes and, when compared with fossil fuel-generated electricity, the equivalent of eliminating the greenhouse gas emissions from 27,000 cars per year.
Ongoing commitment to, and implementation of, the Green Communities Act, which established DOER’s Green Communities Designation and Grant program, was cited by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as a primary reason for ACEEE’s ranking of Massachusetts as first in the nation its energy efficiency policies and programs for the past two years.
Click here for more information on DOER's Green Communities program.
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