Green Communities Program

Welcome to the web page for the new Green Communities Program! The landmark Green Communities Act signed into law by Governor Patrick in July 2008 created this new Program within DOER to serve as the hub for all cities and towns on all matters related to energy. Through the leadership of Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles and DOER Commissioner Phil Giudice, the goal of the Green Communities Program is to enable cities and towns to maximize opportunities to save energy in schools, city halls, firehouses, and other public buildings; to generate some of their energy needs from wind, solar, and forest trimmings; and to make other decisions that reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint, and ultimately, to put the Commonwealth at the hub of the 21rst century clean energy economy. The door at the Green Communities Program is always open, here to serve all communities in a first-in-the-nation, ground-up sustainability effort led by cities and towns, cementing the Commonwealth's position as the national leader in tackling our energy and climate challenges.

Peruse this website for programs, tools and resources for communities, and come back often as we continue to expand and update the page.

News & Updates

• Guidance on Utility Contracts for Energy Conservation Projects of $100K or less   - October 23, 2009 
• Final EECBG Applications now available
• Planning Assistance Announced for 103 Cities & Towns - September 3, 2009

Webinars

• EECBG Application Process Webinar , audio - November 5, 2009 
• Stretch Code Webinar  (presentation w/audio) - August 18, 2009 
• Green Communities Webinar  - April 22, 2009

Programs and Technical Assistance

Green Communities offers numerous programs for cities and towns. These include the Federal Stimulus Funding program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA); the Green Communities Grant Program, including technical assistance on becoming a Green Community; the Energy Audit Program; and Energy Management Services Technical Assistance.

Green Communities: Participating Towns and Cities

When you become a Green Community you will be recognized and highlighted here! Why become a Green Community? Doing what it takes to become a Green Community provides your city or town economic and environmental benefits and motivation to do more:

• The requirement for a baseline energy inventory and plan for reducing energy consumption can lead to reduced energy bills.
• All of the qualification criteria involve measures that lead to a community reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, through using less energy. If a community provides as-of-right siting for renewable energy generation, this can lead to the energy that you do consume being greener.
• If meeting the as-of-right requirement through Renewable/Alternative energy R&D or manufacturing facilities, this can lead to drawing new businesses to the community, businesses that are up and coming and leading to a more sustainable society.
• You receive the Green Communities designation, which notes that you are a sustainability leader in MA.
• You receive grants to help you make your community profile even greener with energy efficiency or renewable energy related initiatives, helping you meet your fossil fuel reduction goals.

Government and Industry Program Partners

The Green Communities Program partners with other programs that recognize and service the sustainability and energy efficiency efforts of cities and towns. Many of the services and tools they have to offer can assist you in meeting the qualification criteria to become a Green Community.

Upcoming Events

Participate in a two-hour workshop on how to cut your home energy costs for heating, hot water and electricity at free seminars offered by the MA Municipal Asociation (MMA).

For Further Information:

• Meg Lusardi, Deputy Director
  617-626-7364
  Meg.Lusardi@State.MA.US
• Mark Sylvia, Director
  617-626-7339
  Mark.Sylvia@State.MA.US

Related Documents:

• Green Communities Brochure 
• Energy Audit Program 
• Energy Information Reporting System 
• Energy Management Services 
• Municipal Energy Management 
• Organizing an Energy Committee