Governor Patrick Announces Communities Will Receive $42M In Energy Grants

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Federal Recovery Act will create jobs and help municipalities save on energy costs by investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy measures

BOSTON
, Mass. – Governor Deval Patrick announced today that the White House has released funding amounts for Massachusetts communities under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Of the $42.2 million allocated to Massachusetts under federal formulas, 42 communities will directly receive amounts ranging from $149,000 to $6.5 million to be used for job-creating investments that reduce energy use and reliance on fossil fuels. Communities under 35,000 in population will be served by $14.8 million administered by the Department of Energy Resources, the state’s energy office.

“These energy block grants will fund job-creating investments in municipal facilities, and these investments will in turn give cities and towns permanent savings on energy costs,” said Governor Patrick. “In this way, the federal recovery act will pay off for Massachusetts today and for years to come.”

“These recovery dollars will create green jobs, reduce our energy use, and cut polluting emissions,” said Senator John Kerry. “From every angle, this means more money in the pockets of working people in Massachusetts. Anytime you can create jobs and save taxpayers money, it’s a smart investment.”


“The emergence of clean energy and energy efficiency industries—which has already begun right here in Massachusetts—is a bright spot in these tough economic times and will be the economic engine that drives us out of this crisis,” said Representative Edward J. Markey, who chairs key energy panels in the U.S. House of Representatives. “These new energy funds will create jobs, cut emissions, and reduce energy bills, keeping Massachusetts moving towards economic and environmental sustainability.”

“Investing in energy efficiency and renewables puts people to work and helps grow the clean energy industry already taking root in Massachusetts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles. “These federal funds will further the objectives of the Green Communities Act in making our cities and towns greener along with our economy.”

“The Department of Energy Resources stands ready to help every city and town in the Commonwealth put these funds to work creating jobs and saving money,” said DOER Commissioner Philip Giudice.

This announcement comes on the heels of the White House announcement March 12 that Massachusetts would receive $54.9 million for the State Energy Program under ARRA. Those funds can be used for a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy investments as part of Governor Patrick’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan. The state’s Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is preparing a spending plan for those funds based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Energy, which must approve the plan. The block grant funds allocated today are also subject to DOE approval of spending plans.

The allocation of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants to Massachusetts is detailed below:

State

Name

Level of Government

 Allocation

MA

Massachusetts Total Sum City, County, and SEO Allocations

All

 $42,230,600

MA

Massachusetts

State Energy Office

 $4,752,100

MA

Amherst

City

 $162,000

MA

Arlington

City

 $159,700

MA

Attleboro

City

 $179,600

MA

Barnstable Town

City

 $202,400

MA

Beverly

City

 $169,600

MA

Billerica

City

 $180,200

MA

Boston

City

 $6,506,200

MA

Brockton

City

 $865,000

MA

Brookline

City

 $494,400

MA

Cambridge

City

 $1,139,400

MA

Chelsea

City

 $164,000

MA

Chicopee

City

 $499,100

MA

Everett

City

 $149,300

MA

Fall River

City

 $861,300

MA

Fitchburg

City

 $168,000

MA

Framingham

City

 $657,000

MA

Haverhill

City

 $542,700

MA

Holyoke

City

 $175,700

MA

Lawrence

City

 $651,300

MA

Leominster

City

 $175,500

MA

Lowell

City

 $954,700

MA

Lynn

City

 $788,100

MA

Malden

City

 $501,500

MA

Marlborough

City

 $178,000

MA

Medford

City

 $504,000

MA

Methuen

City

 $179,200

MA

New Bedford

City

 $869,300

MA

Newton

City

 $799,600

MA

Peabody

City

 $494,200

MA

Pittsfield

City

 $189,100

MA

Plymouth

City

 $514,300

MA

Quincy

City

 $881,200

MA

Revere

City

 $485,500

MA

Salem

City

 $174,300

MA

Somerville

City

 $651,100

MA

Springfield

City

 $1,498,200

MA

Taunton

City

 $519,600

MA

Waltham

City

 $630,500

MA

Westfield

City

 $170,300

MA

Weymouth

City

 $485,800

MA

Woburn

City

 $174,600

MA

Worcester

City

 $1,733,000

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Lanesborough Passes FY 2027 Budget, Warrant Articles

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles. 
 
Of the 20 warrant articles, one, Article 7, to use free cash to pay prior fiscal year bills of $941.27 was indefinitely postponed by Moderator David Rolle because the bills were for the fire association.
 
Some 247 of the town's more than 2,600 registered voters filled Lanesborough Elementary School, debating articles during a meeting that lasted more than three hours. 
 
The town's 2027 spending plan is up more than 10 percent, with the main increases from higher enrollment in the regional schools and the McCann Technical School renovation project.
 
Voters approved the assessment of $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School. They also approved Article 11, which was the use of $16,298.48 in free cash for the McCann's roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. 
 
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. Article 5 asked the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses, which passed.
 
Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine spoke to the audience on his articles and the need for a new truck to replace the 1996 fire truck, listed on the warrant articles for a total $813,366, which includes a $100,000 contingency cost on whether a 2026 model-year chassis can be secured before new emissions standards in 2027. If they get the 2026 chassis, that contingency likely won't be needed.
 
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