Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $3 Million to Support Local Clean Energy Projects

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced Climate Leader Communities (CLC) Decarbonization Accelerator grants for three municipalities. Lincoln, Needham, and Wellesley will each receive $1 million to support local clean energy projects, including solar and heat pump systems.

“Our Climate Leader Communities are leading the way to advance clean energy projects that lower costs, add homegrown power and cut pollution in cities and towns across the state,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These local projects add up to make Massachusetts a healthier, more affordable place to live and work.”

“Congratulations to Lincoln, Needham, and Wellesley, who all worked quickly after becoming Climate Leaders to advance municipal energy projects that will upgrade town buildings, save on monthly energy bills and create cleaner air in their communities,” said DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “We look forward to working with more CLCs to lower costs for municipalities and their taxpayers, and strengthen local economies and our environment.”

These projects will save the communities $170,932 each year in energy costs. They will also generate an estimated 980,247 kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean energy a year and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 430 tons a year.

The Climate Leader Communities Decarbonization Accelerator grant program provides funding to certified Massachusetts Climate Leader Communities for projects that provide clean energy benefits to their communities.

Lincoln will receive $1 million to support the full decarbonization of its historic public library. The project includes the installation of ground source heat pumps and advanced heating and ventilation controls, along with building envelope improvements. When completed, the building will be fossil fuel-free. Its annual energy use will cut by 800 MMBtus and 54 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use will be eliminated.

Needham will receive $1 million for a solar system, air source heat pumps, and DC Fast electric vehicle chargers to fully decarbonize the Jack Cogswell Building, which is the town’s fleet maintenance facility. The solar project will generate an estimated 244,000 kWh annually and, together with the heat pump installations, will reduce energy costs by $65,935 each year and eliminate 111 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use.

Wellesley will receive $1 million to support solar projects at two recently built all-electric elementary schools. A 430 kW system is proposed for the Hardy School and a 374 kW system is proposed for the Hunnewell School. Once built and interconnected, they will generate an estimated 736,247 kWh of electricity, saving the town more than $97,360 a year in energy costs.

The three municipalities were certified as Climate Leader Communities in 2025 and are the second group to apply for and receive Decarbonization Accelerator Grantsthrough the Department of Energy Resources’ (DOER) Green Communities Division.

There are currently 35 certified CLCs in Massachusetts. The CLC Program builds on the highly successful Green Communities Designation and Grant program and encourages municipalities to maximize the efficiency of buildings and transportation, slash energy costs, and lower municipal emissions.

To become a CLC, municipalities must meet certification requirements that include a local committee to advise and help coordinate local energy activities in the municipality; a commitment to transition away from on-site fossil fuel use in municipal buildings and fleets by 2050; a zero-emission-vehicle first policy; and adoption of the Specialized Energy Code.

CLCs can apply for Decarbonization Technical Support Grants of up to $150,000 and Decarbonization Accelerator Grants of up to $1,000,000. DOER accepts Decarbonization Accelerator Grant applications twice a year. The next application deadline is August 7, 2026.

Eligible projects must align with the community's Climate Leader Municipal Decarbonization Roadmap and prioritize reducing fossil fuel combustion, energy use, and costs. Potential funding areas include renewable energy technologies like solar and heat pumps, energy storage, and other strategies that support decarbonization efforts.

More information on DOER’s Climate Leader Communities program can be found on its website. Climate Leader Grant Programs will be funded through auction proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Alternative Compliance Payments.

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