Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $8 Million in Green Communities Grants
Governor Baker joined EEA Secretary Theoharides, DOER Commissioner Woodcock, and state and local officials in the City of Lawrence to announce the awarding of over $8 million in Green Communities Competitive Grant Funding.
“Ongoing collaboration with public sector leaders at the state and local level significantly contributes to our Administration’s goal of a cleaner, more reliable, and equitable energy future,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The innovative and cost-effective projects receiving grants will increase energy efficiency and clean energy use in municipal buildings and vehicles across the Commonwealth, significantly helping our state achieve its long-term emissions reduction requirements.”
“Massachusetts has created a nation-leading clean energy sector with forward-thinking policies and strong partnerships at both the state and local level,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The Green Communities team and our many municipal partners across the state have played and will continue to play key roles as we work toward building a clean energy future for Massachusetts that is affordable, equitable, and reliable.”
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. Two-hundred eighty Massachusetts cities and towns have currently earned the Green Communities designation which accounts for 87 percent of the Commonwealth’s population. These competitive grants are awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards. Grants are capped at $200,000 per municipalities.
“These competitive grants will enable municipalities across the state to implement innovative and cost-effective renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and lower municipal energy costs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Meeting our ambitious long-term climate goals will require the continued deployment of clean energy, but achieving those goals will not be possible without collaboration and partnerships at all levels of government, and Massachusetts has been a leader at that through our Green Communities program.”
The grants announced today fund a range of projects from ventilation system upgrades to the installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal buildings and facilities. Projects also include the installations of air-source heat pumps, hybrid police cruisers, and electric vehicle charging stations.
The following municipalities received grant awards:
Adams | $161,373 | Harwich | $160,952 | Revere | $192,589 |
Ashburnham | $20,000 | Hingham | $185,475 | Saugus | $118,844 |
Ashby | $10,413 | Hopkinton | $91,189 | Sharon | $128,868 |
Athol | $111,514 | Ipswich | $200,000 | Shrewsbury | $146,604 |
Attleboro | $186,629 | Lawrence | $199,996 | Somerville | $84,802 |
Bernardston | $13,805 | Longmeadow | $60,819 | Stockbridge | $62,569 |
Billerica | $181,037 | Marion | $102,000 | Stoughton | $199,426 |
Blackstone | $199,421 | Marlborough | $118,940 | Tyngsborough | $91,033 |
Brookline | $22,500 | Medfield | $179,884 | Uxbridge | $177,827 |
Buckland | $5,000 | Medford | $100,000 | Waltham | $185,447 |
Chelmsford | $17,782 | Medway | $99,094 | Warwick | $136,103 |
Cohasset | $188,600 | Middleborough | $98,527 | Wellesley | $200,000 |
Concord | $100,000 | Nantucket | $160,988 | West Boylston | $99,046 |
Douglas | $104,947 | Natick | $500,000 | West Newbury | $5,000 |
Dudley | $200,000 | Norfolk | $145,701 | West Springfield | $37,399 |
Easthampton | $15,000 | North Adams | $189,915 | Westborough | $200,000 |
Franklin | $150,902 | North Attleborough | $178,793 | Westford | $34,680 |
Georgetown | $199,999 | Norwell | $54,413 | Westminster | $178,273 |
Gloucester | $92,807 | Norwood | $182,290 | Westport | $200,000 |
Groton | $99,393 | Palmer | $200,000 | Weymouth | $100,000 |
Hanover | $100,000 | Plainville | $95,190 | Wilbraham | $170,434 |
Woburn | $57,397 |
“I’m thrilled to see that communities in MetroWest, including Franklin, Medway, Natick, Hopkinton, are among the recipients in the latest round of Green Community Grants,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “When it comes to combating the climate crisis, the bold actions we take today will help to better prepare and preserve our great Commonwealth for years to come. With these grants, our communities can join in the fight to lower harmful carbon emissions, go green and help us reach net-zero by 2050.”
“Through the critical funding provided by the Green Communities Grants, Massachusetts continues to take proactive measures to ensure we meet our ambitious target of net-zero emissions by 2050,” said State Senator Barry Finegold (D-Andover). “These grants will support the city of Lawrence and other municipalities in their ongoing efforts to reduce energy emissions, improve air quality, and become healthier places to live. I want to thank the Baker-Polito Administration for continuing to fund these programs, which will help build a more climate-resilient Commonwealth.”
“I’m incredibly proud of the Commonwealth’s commitment to facilitate local clean energy investments through the Green Communities program,” said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. “I also want to congratulate my communities of Franklin and Medway for securing grant awards by entering a competitive solicitation with strong proposals, and for your continued pursuit towards a clean energy future, which will benefit our residents and the state as a whole.”
“Climate change and the negative effects of greenhouse gases impact us all, and the measures to address it in the Commonwealth should be equally as universal,” said Representative Marcos A. Devers (D-Lawrence). “I applaud this round of Green Community grant funding, and am proud to say that renewable and energy efficient projects will always have a home in Lawrence.”
“The Green Communities Grant program has proven to be an incredible and invaluable tool to support the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce our carbon footprint,” said State Representative Frank A. Moran (D-Lawrence). “This critical funding will assist Lawrence curtail its energy use and I greatly look forward to seeing how these funds will support clean energy projects and initiatives throughout the city.”
“I am proud that Lawrence has earned a grant of nearly $200,000 through the Green Communities Program,” said Representative Christina A. Minicucci (D-North Andover). “Investing these dollars in Lawrence reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to closing the climate gap in our environmental justice communities, allowing its residents more equitable access to cost-effective, green energy.”
Representing total cost savings of over $1.3 million annually and leveraging utility incentives of over $1.6 million, once completed, these grant-supported projects are estimated to yield energy savings of over 43,000 MMBTus, which translates to the amount of energy consumed by 339 Massachusetts households. In greenhouse gas emissions terms, the projects are estimated to reduce emissions by 3,316 metric tons – roughly equal to taking nearly 700 cars off the road. For additional information on awarded projects and funding amounts, please visit DOER’s Green Communities Division webpage.
