Introduction
The 2022 Gap III Energy Grant Program will provide $7.5 Million and offer up to $200,000 of grant assistance for eligible entities. The grant program has been expanded to serve new sectors!
Under the leadership of MassDEP, the Clean Energy Results Program (CERP) is an integrated energy and environmental partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) that reduces regulatory or other barriers to clean and energy efficient development across the state. The Gap Grant is a cornerstone of this partnership and is a streamlined energy grant funding model that has helped municipal water utilities reduce their energy usage, operating costs, and improve the environment. The grant is designed to fill the last “gap” in project financing, enabling and encouraging facilities to use energy utility incentives as well as funding from other sources to install selected energy efficiency and clean energy generation projects.
What you need to know/do to apply for a Gap III Energy Grant
Q: Are you eligible?
Yes, if you fall into one of these categories AND have the legal right to authorize and implement energy-saving upgrades to your existing building and new facilities:
- Nonprofit affordable housing
- Nonprofit agricultural /food distribution
- Small Business -Food Distribution and Processing
- Water and wastewater utility owned by a municipal, district or authority
- If you are a tenant with a long-term lease, contact us and we will provide more information.
Q: If eligible, what types of projects can be funded?
Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency projects are proven conservation measures that reduce your energy usage and save you money, here are some examples:
- Building envelope treatments
- Air source heat pumps
- Variable speed drives
- Pump and motor replacements
- Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) upgrades
- Process improvements (aeration, pumping optimization)
- Anti-sweat door heater controls on refrigerated doors
- Installation of compressor/condenser control schemes
Clean Energy and Energy Storage: Clean energy projects are proven renewable and energy storage technologies that can generate on-site power to your existing building and new facilities, here are some examples:
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems
- Solar thermal rooftop collectors for preheating water
- In-conduit hydropower
- Wind power
- Battery storage systems
- Water source heat pumps and geothermal systems
- Sewer heat recovery
Q: What do you need to do to get started?
Get an Energy Assessment/Audit or Feasibility Study.
They are essential components of the Gap grant application. If you have a previous energy assessment that has not been implemented, please contact your utility energy efficiency provider for more information.
Tip: Do this right away as it may take time to get one of these completed.
Energy Efficiency Assessment/Audits: Proposed energy efficiency project measures must be quantified and documented by a previously completed energy assessment, energy audit, or technical evaluation. This energy evaluation may be completed by your energy utility provider (for example Mass Save, or your local energy company), or an energy and environmental services consultant (see below).
Clean Energy and Energy Storage Feasibility Studies: Evaluating and determining the technical and financial feasibility of your clean energy or energy storage project is required. This energy evaluation may be completed by your energy utility provider (for example Mass Save, or your local energy company), or energy and environmental services consultant (see below).
Q: Where do go I get these energy evaluations? Who can do an energy evaluation?
The following resources can help you connect with partners to obtain an energy assessment/audit or feasibility study for your facility. The organizations listed below are an illustrative list and do not represent all of the resources available to provide you with energy assessments/audits or feasibility studies. You may select any entity you choose to perform an energy assessment/audit or feasibility study.
Energy Efficiency:
- Mass Save provides resources connecting you to energy audit professionals to determine efficiency upgrades, as well as incentives and rebates which will strengthen your grant application https://www.masssave.com/en/saving/business-rebates/facility-assessments
Contact your account representative at your energy provider for more information. - Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Providers NextZero energy efficiency and decarbonization program serves both residential and commercial and industrial customers of 21 municipal utilities https://www.mmwec.org/how-we-are-green/energy-efficiency/.
- Energy New England energy assessments, incentives, and rebates for residential, commercial, and industrial customers of 20 municipal utilities. https://www.ene.org/ene-sustainability/
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Industrial Assessment Center offers in-depth, no cost energy assessments for eligible manufacturing facilities and water/wastewater treatment plants http://www.ceere.org/iac.html
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Green Your Bottom Line in Food and Beverage Businesses an initiative to support food and beverage businesses in making improvements to their facilities and processes, which will benefit both their businesses and the environment http://www.ceere.org/food.html
- Environmental Protection Agency offers guidance and tools to help you understand the assessments and options which might be available at your facility https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/conducting-site-and-economic-renewable-energy-project-feasibility-assessments
- Contact your energy or environmental services consultant to complete your energy assessment for your facility.
Clean Energy and Energy Storage:
- Massachusetts Clean Energy Center offers additional assistance and funding for municipalities, non-profits, and businesses to transition their energy use https://www.masscec.com/get-clean-energy
- Clean Energy Group’s TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FUND awards grants to fund feasibility assessments for solar and storage development to essential services providers located in and/or serving environmental justice, low-income communities, and communities of color.
https://www.cleanegroup.org/ceg-projects/resilient-power-project/technical-assistance-fund/ - The DSIRE database of energy incentives and policies shows the numerous paths available to enhance your facility’s energy use. Your clean energy audit professional can assist you in determining which programs might be of benefit to your facility https://programs.dsireusa.org/system/program?state=MA
- Environmental Protection Agency offers guidance and tools to help you understand the assessments and options which might be available at your facility https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/conducting-site-and-economic-renewable-energy-project-feasibility-assessments
- Contact your energy or environmental services consultant to complete your energy assessment for your facility.
- Research energy trade association resources. Explore the Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE) website to identify potential solar companies and installers https://www.sebane.org/our-members
Q: What else do I need to do?
Gather these applicable documents:
- Proof of ownership or legal right to make upgrades to building
- Energy assessment for installing energy efficiency measures
- Technical study examining the energy savings you will earn from upgrades you want to install
- Feasibility study indicating potential for renewable energy generation
- Document showing the electric and/or gas utility’s financial incentives (Hint, check Mass Save website for this information)
- Green Communities grant – available to municipalities
- MA SMART solar incentives – check DOER website (www.mass.gov/doer) for more information, also your solar installer may know about this
- Other secured or planned funding sources – ie. Look for other available local, state, federal or nonprofit grants
Bidders' Informational Conference
Now Available 6/24/2022:
GAP III ENERGY GRANT 2022-2023 OPPORTUNITY MassDEP’s Official Answers to Questions
MassDEP 2022 Gap Energy Grant Bidders Conference Attendance
Two Bidders' Informational Conferences via Zoom were held at 10:00 A.M. on
- Thursday, June 2, 2022 and
See Presentation: GAP III Energy Grant 2022-2023 Opportunity: Bidder’s Informational Conference June 2, 2022 - Tuesday, June 14, 2022
See Presentation: GAP III Energy Grant 2022-2023 Opportunity: Bidder’s Informational Conference June 14, 2022
Additional Resources
How to apply - grant application period is open now
How to 1. Download and review these Gap III Grant documents
- Notice of Grant Opportunity
- Grant Opportunity 2022-2023
- MassDEP Grant Agreement
- Appendix A Application Funding and Overview
- Appendix B Application Authorization
- Attestation forms
- Excel form
- Appendix C Application Data Tables - for water utilities and small business/non-profit
2. Prior to grant submission, pre-register by completing the following form: https://massgov.formstack.com/forms/2022gapgrantpreregister
3. Be aware of the following schedule and application deadlines
| Procurement calendar | Date |
| Notice of Grant Opportunity | Thursday, May 26, 2022 |
|
Bidders' Informational Conference Complete this form for dial-in information or Zoom link. |
Thursday, June 2, 2022 10:00 AM Tuesday, June 14, 2022 10:00 AM |
| Deadline for submitting questions to MassDEP | Friday, June 17, 2022 5:00 PM |
| Q&A answers posted | Friday, June 24, 2022 |
| Grant application deadline | |
|
Friday, July 15, 2022 5:00 PM |
|
Friday, July 29, 2022 5:00 PM |
| Notification of grant award(s) (Estimated) | Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 |
| Estimated contract start date | Friday, October 28, 2022 |
Background & story map
This story map consists of seven tabs that present interactive maps, dashboards and photographs that describe the efforts by MassDEP and its partners to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions at Massachusetts’ drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities. Click on the full screen symbol in the bottom right corner for best viewing.