The GC Division provides:
● Local support from Regional Coordinators
● Education on benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy
● Guidance and technical assistance for local energy questions and projects
● Funding opportunities for clean energy projects
The Green Community Designation and Grant Program has designated two hundred ninety-one cities and towns as Green Communities. These energy leaders have accessed designation grants of nearly $53 million for energy projects.
The latest group of 3 towns designated in December 2022 have pledged energy reductions amounting to 23,188 MMBTUs over five years.
Benefits of Being a Green Community
- Cut municipal energy costs and strengthen the local economies
- Access grants for clean affordable and resilient energy projects; economic development benefits for the city or town and the Commonwealth
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Promote energy-efficient building construction that drives the market for better built and lower cost homes
- Foster renewable energy and clean energy technologies
- Become a clean energy leader and a better place to live, work, and play
Division Established by Legislation
Section 10 of Chapter 25A, which establishes the Green Community Division and Designation and Grant Program requires a specific path forward for municipalities served by municipal light plants that adopt the renewable energy charge to participate in the Program. Municipalities served by BOTH a municipal light plant and an investor-owned electric utility ARE eligible to apply for and become a designated Green Community. DOER is considering ways to maximize participation by all cities and towns in the Program that yields a mix of reduced energy costs and the environmental and economic development benefits.