Patrick-Murray Administration Announces Grants to Help Cities and Towns Become "Green Communities"

Department of Energy Resources will fund technical assistance as communities strive to qualify for grants to fund local renewable energy and efficiency projects

BOSTON – Marking the one-year anniversary of the Green Communities Act’s passage, the Patrick-Murray Administration today announced the availability of technical assistance for Massachusetts cities and towns seeking to become “Green Communities” – a designation that will qualify them for future grant rounds of up to $10 million annually to fund municipal energy efficiency and renewable power projects.

“Through the Green Communities Act, we envisioned Massachusetts cities and towns leading the way toward a greener future, with the Commonwealth offering assistance and incentives to help municipalities save money and to start growing the clean energy industry one community at a time,” said Governor Patrick. “With these grants, communities across the Commonwealth will learn how to become part of that vision.”

“We in the Patrick-Murray Administration are committed to partnering with cities and towns across the Commonwealth to improve the quality of life of our residents,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray. “The Green Communities Division and the technical assistance and funding it can provide will further our mutual goals of promoting renewable energy and lessening our energy consumption.”

Applications for technical assistance - which the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) will award in the form of fully-funded consultants - are due August 7 and DOER’s Green Communities Division plans to announce awards to qualified cities and towns in mid-August. DOER has allocated approximately $600,000 to support this initiative. Expert energy consultants chosen through a competitive bidding process will meet with officials in selected communities within 30 days of grant awards and begin helping them meet five criteria necessary for Green Community designation.

Created by the Green Communities Act, landmark energy reform legislation signed by Governor Patrick last July, DOER’s Green Communities Division is designed to help Massachusetts communities cut energy bills through targeted investments in energy efficiency and locally-generated renewable power. The division officially opened for business on Earth Day at a State House event hosted by Governor Patrick and legislative leaders.

“The Green Communities Act established this innovative program as a central clearinghouse for cities and towns interested in capitalizing on green energy opportunities that save their taxpayers’ money while reducing environmental impacts,” Secretary Bowles said. “The technical assistance we are announcing today will help municipalities take the next steps necessary as they partner with the Commonwealth in our pursuit of a clean energy future.”

Later this year, DOER plans to open the application process for up to $10 million in Green Communities grants, funded with proceeds from the auction of carbon allowances under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. To qualify for this later grant round, communities must meet five criteria:

adopt local zoning bylaw or ordinance that allows “as-of-right-siting” of renewable energy projects – siting that does not unreasonably regulate these uses;
adopt an expedited permitting process related to the as-of-right facilities;
establish a municipal energy use baseline and establish a program designed to reduce baseline use by 20 percent within five years;
purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use, whenever such vehicles are commercially available and practicable;
require all new residential construction over 3,000 square feet and all new commercial and industrial real estate construction to reduce lifecycle energy costs.

“Since Governor Patrick signed the Green Communities Act into law, cities and towns across the state have contacted the Department of Energy Resources, eager to work with the Commonwealth to reach these benchmarks,” said DOER Commissioner Phil Giudice. “We are pleased to offer this expert technical assistance to help municipalities navigate their best route toward becoming Green Communities.”

The technical assistance offered by DOER will help municipalities verify Green Communities criteria that have already been met and develop an action plan for meeting outstanding criteria. To be eligible for this consulting assistance, communities must provide a letter of commitment to meet all five within a year of the technical assistance award, and have an established energy committee or partnership with a community energy organization. DOER will give special consideration to regional applications submitted on behalf of multiple cities and towns.

Consultants assigned to work with selected cities and towns will be required to report each municipality’s action plan to DOER’s Green Communities Division within 90 days of an initial site visit.

“I feel this is a great opportunity for towns and cities to start the process of becoming a ‘Green Community,’ as envisioned by the Act,” said Senator Michael W. Morrissey, Senate chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “I hope that our cities and towns will continue to work towards reducing their energy usage and promoting renewable energy in their communities.”

Committee House Chairman Representative Barry R. Finegold added, “Investment in clean energy and efficiency projects is the next big thing for our communities. It is a crucial investment that we must make in order to bring new, green jobs to Massachusetts that will have a significant impact on job growth and economic growth in the years ahead. I encourage communities across the Commonwealth to apply for and put this funding to work right here in our communities.”

More information and the DOER’s Program of Opportunity notice regarding Green Communities technical assistance grants are expected to be posted on the agency’s web site by the end of this week. Click here for updates.