Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) has announced that the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has awarded a total of $631,202 in Green Communities competitive grants to Holliston, Hopkinton and Natick to fund clean energy projects. The towns are among 72 municipalities across the state receiving $14 million in grants in this round of funding.
“MetroWest towns have consistently been leaders in clean energy innovation and conservation,” said Senator Spilka. “These Green Communities grants will allow our communities to boost energy conservation efforts in municipal facilities and continue their progress toward a more sustainable future.”
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.
The grants 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.
$247,228 was awarded to the Town of Holliston to fund energy conservation measures in municipal facilities including town vehicle fleet, Town Hall, Senior Center, and Public Library. The energy conservation measures funded by this grant are: thermostat, energy management systems, weatherization, lighting upgrades, electric vehicle purchase, and grant management assistance.
For additional information on other awarded projects and funding amounts, please visit http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/doer/green-communities/grant-program/2017-c....
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.
Visit http://www.mass.gov/eea/energy-utilities-clean-tech/green-communities/ for more information on DOER’s Green Communities program. The grants are funded through proceeds from Alternative Compliance Payments under the Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Issue Date:
July, 2017
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