LAWRENCE, Mass.  Both Adams and North Adams were among the 64 municipalities  in the Commonwealth that were awarded Green Community Grants to fund clean energy projects.

 

During an event Wednesday in the City of Lawrence, Governor Charlie Baker, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, and Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Patrick Woodcock announced the awarding of $8,291,629 in Green Communities Competitive Grants.

 

"Ongoing collaboration with public sector leaders at the state and local level significantly contributes to our Administration's goal of a cleaner, more reliable, and equitable energy future," said Governor Charlie Baker. "The innovative and cost-effective projects receiving grants will increase energy efficiency and clean energy use in municipal buildings and vehicles across the Commonwealth, significantly helping our state achieve its long-term emissions reduction requirements."

 

Adams will receive $161,373, and North Adams will receive $189,915.

 

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. 

 

Two-hundred eighty Massachusetts cities and towns have currently earned the Green Communities designation which accounts for 87 percent of the Commonwealth's population. 

 

These competitive grants are awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards. Grants are capped at $200,000 per municipalities.

 

"Massachusetts has created a nation-leading clean energy sector with forward-thinking policies and strong partnerships at both the state and local level," said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "The Green Communities team and our many municipal partners across the state have played and will continue to play key roles as we work toward building a clean energy future for Massachusetts that is affordable, equitable, and reliable."

 

The grants fund a range of projects from ventilation system upgrades to the installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal buildings and facilities. Projects also include the installations of air-source heat pumps, hybrid police cruisers, and electric vehicle charging stations.

 

DOER has awarded over $153 million to Green Communities in Designation Grants and Competitive Grants since 2010. Funding for these grants is available through proceeds from carbon allowance auctions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

 

"These competitive grants will enable municipalities across the state to implement innovative and cost-effective renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and lower municipal energy costs," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. "Meeting our ambitious long-term climate goals will require the continued deployment of clean energy, but achieving those goals will not be possible without collaboration and partnerships at all levels of government, and Massachusetts has been a leader at that through our Green Communities program."

 

Representing total cost savings of over $1.3 million annually and leveraging utility incentives of over $1.6 million, once completed, these grant-supported projects are estimated to yield energy savings of over 43,000 MMBTus, which translates to the amount of energy consumed by 339 Massachusetts households, according to a press release.

 

In greenhouse gas emissions terms, the projects are estimated to reduce emissions by 3,316 metric tons – roughly equal to taking nearly 700 cars off the road.