Press Release Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $14.7 Million in Green Communities Grants

Winthrop — July 20, 2018 – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded $14,798,596 in Green Communities competitive grants to 80 municipalities across Massachusetts to fund clean energy projects. The presentation was made by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito during a ceremony at the Robert A. DeLeo Senior Center, and with today’s announcement, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has awarded nearly $100 million to Green Communities since 2010. To date, 210 Massachusetts cities and towns have earned the Green Communities designation.

“Providing communities with the tools necessary to reduce costs and carbon emissions through the Green Communities Grant program will help Massachusetts continue to be a national leader in clean energy,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Cities and towns across the Commonwealth embrace clean energy and are vital partners in meeting Massachusetts’ ambitious energy and emissions goals.”

“Green Communities are champions for clean energy practices across Massachusetts and should be commended for their efforts to reduce energy use and costs,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These grants will allow the Green Communities to build upon the impressive efforts undertaken to earn this distinguished designation.”

Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns must meet five criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding. The grants provide financial support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the designated communities’ clean energy goals. This seventh annual round of DOER Green Communities competitive grants is awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards. Grants are capped at $250,000 per municipality.

“The 80 new communities to join the Green Communities program are leading the Commonwealth by example through their commitment to a clean energy future,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to working with our municipal partners to meet our shared goals of lowering energy costs, consumption and emissions.”

The grants fund a range projects from ventilation system upgrades and high efficiency lighting to installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal buildings and facilities. Also included are projects to install LED streetlights, oil-to-gas heating system conversions, electric vehicles, and electric vehicles charging stations.

“The Green Communities program is an important partnership with cities and towns to help them find clean energy solutions that reduce long-term energy costs and strengthen local economies,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “These grants represent another milestone for both the communities and the Commonwealth as we continue to collaborate to meet our shared energy goals.”

Municipality Grant Awards

Funding for these grants is available through proceeds from Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP) paid by retail electric suppliers that do not meet their Renewable Portfolio Standard compliance obligations through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates.

“By supporting communities across the Commonwealth to adopt clean energy technologies we strengthen our resiliency, cut municipal operating costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “This program empowers our communities to take actions that will bring both economic and environmental benefits to our residents for years into the future.”

"Winthrop's receipt of this Green Communities grant is emblematic of our town's commitment to clean energy," said Senator Joseph Boncore (D-Winthrop). "As a coastal community it is essential that we maintain our clean energy and environmental infrastructure to ensure we meet energy consumption and emissions goals." 

Click here for more information on DOER's Green Communities program. All Green Communities commit to reducing municipal energy consumption by 20 percent over five years.

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