Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $270,000 to Support Municipal Clean Energy Projects

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced over $268,000 in grants to cities and towns across Massachusetts to develop clean energy projects. The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is awarding 17 Municipal Energy Technical Assistance (META) grants to municipalities, regional school districts, and water/wastewater districts to aid in the management of projects or the performance of studies to support the development of energy projects.

“Cities and towns are on the front lines of climate change. They are playing a leading role but they can’t do it alone. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is here to help our municipal partners reduce reliance on fossil fuels, energy costs, and emissions,” said DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “These grants provide critical resources such as technical assistance for planning, design, and data collection when implementing new clean energy projects. We are proud to support these awardees in their transition to clean, renewable energy.”

META grants fund the services of expert consultants and contractors to assist with a diverse array of local energy projects. Applicants were eligible to apply for grants of up to $25,000. Projects and studies that receive funding will support assessing energy resiliency, building decarbonization, building retro-commissioning, community-shared solar, and ASHRAE Level II audits.

“Our municipalities want to participate in the green energy revolution, and technical assistance from the state is critical for helping our towns, particularly our small towns, navigate renewable energy and energy efficiency opportunities responsibly,” said State Senator Jo Comeford. “I'm thrilled to see Amherst, Leverett, Montague and Pelham receive these grants and I strongly support this work from DOER and the Healey-Driscoll Administration.”

“A tremendous thank you to the Healey-Driscoll administration for providing this support from the Commonwealth to our Framingham geothermal project,” said State Representative Priscila Sousa. “This is an important step as we continue on our mission to promote both increased sustainability and equitable access to renewable energy in the 6th Middlesex District.”

“I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for including Framingham among the grant winners to further develop clean energy projects,” said State Representative Jack Patrick Lewis. “In order to combat climate change and invest in green energy jobs, grants like this are vital to building decarbonization, expanded solar projects, and climate resiliency.”

“Climate change is top of mind for constituents of the 1^st Franklin District and these impactful awards allow communities to be proactive in identifying ways to meet the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals,” said State Representative Natalie M. Blais. “I am grateful to DOER for their partnership in this effort and for the energy resiliency awards going to Leverett, Montague and Shelburne.”

“I'm very impressed with the work that Framingham has been doing in energy resiliency and decarbonization,” said State Representative Kate Donaghue. “This grant from DOER is important to these efforts.”

“I am thrilled that Holliston has been awarded this important energy resiliency grant that will help the town expand its clean energy goals,” said State Representative James Arena-DeRosa. “Every level of government must work together in the transition to clean energy, and this grant exemplifies how the Commonwealth is investing in thoughtful energy projects on the local level. Planning for energy resiliency is vital for the health and infrastructure of our communities, and I thank the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Town of Holliston for this critical work.”

The following municipalities and agencies received awards:

Municipal Energy Technical Assistance Grants provide funding to independent third parties to aid municipalities, regional school districts, and water/wastewater districts in the study, negotiation, development and/or management of clean energy projects. The grants are offered on an annual basis.

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