Green Communities Programs & Technical Assistance
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant: funding for cities and towns to reduce fossil fuel emissions in a sustainable manner, reduce total energy use and improve energy efficiency in public buildings.
Green Communities Grant Program: the Green Communities Act creates a grant and loan program for those communities who meet criteria involving zoning and permitting of energy facilities, energy use benchmarking and plans for reducing energy use, fuel efficient vehicles, and minimizing life-cycle energy costs for new construction. The funds will afford these communities the opportunity to implement significant energy efficiency measures, construct large renewable energy projects, or pursue other innovative projects that further the communities' efforts to reduce their fossil fuel energy consumption. The Grant program will be launched in the late Fall of 2009.
To help communities achieve these objectives, we are providing:
- Planning Assistance:
Communities wishing to achieve Green Communities designation can apply for technical assistance in the form of consulting services. The application is available here
(or here in Word format 
). Note: deadline extended: applications are now due August 14, 2009. - A Green Communities Toolkit:
- Model as-of-right by-laws
- Guidance and Model Outline for 20% Energy Reduction Plan
- Guidance and Model Policy for Purchasing only Fuel Efficient Vehicles
- Fuel Efficient Vehicles
- Find here the list of vehicles that meet the Green Communities qualification criteria for fuel efficient vehicles - Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) energy stretch code - Communities can meet the Green Communities qualification criteria to minimize life cycle energy costs for new construction by adopting the stretch code. The stretch code was approved by the BBRS in May and regulations were adopted in August. The following documents provide further information about the Stretch Code:
- Stretch Code Overview
- Stretch Code Summary Table
- Residential Code - Cash Flow Analysis
- Urban Residential Renovation - Cash Flow Analysis
- Home Loan Investment Bank Case Study
- Fidelity Bank Corporate Office & Branch Case Study
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Marc Breslow Article on Stretch Code - see page 1 of newsletter
- Stretch Code Overview
- Green Communities Final Qualification Criteria - July 10, 2009.
- The Renewable Energy Trust: Governance and Procedures for Municipal Lighting Plant Communities to Join
The Energy Audit Program (EAP) is a partnership with utilities/energy providers which offers technical assistance for all buildings owned and operated by cities, towns, regional school districts, and regional water/waste water districts. Services include benchmarking of the structures and detailed energy audits (outlining energy efficiency measures, their costs, and estimated energy savings) when appropriate, along with assessments of energy procurement practices and revenue producing strategies like demand response. Clean technology implementation opportunities are also identified when appropriate.
Energy Management Services Technical Assistance: Energy Management Services, a form of energy savings performance contracting, can be an effective tool for cities and towns looking to implement significant energy savings measures without upfront capital; the projects are paid for by borrowing against future energy bill savings. Per statute, DOER has oversight authority for city and town performance contracts, and can assist communities in all aspects of considering the use of this contracting mechanism.