Governor Awards $8.7 Million to Support Energy Efficient and Clean Energy Projects

Print Story | Email Story
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $8.7 million in grant funding to support 34 projects that increase energy efficiency and generate renewable energy. 
 
The funding is going to municipal water facilities, agricultural and food-producing non-profits and small businesses, working to modernize operations and save energy. 
 
"Berkshire County has an incredible agricultural community, and we understand the importance of energy efficiency and clean water resources, so it's great to see our farms and municipalities getting the support we need to invest in the future of our natural resources," said State Sen. Paul Mark. "Projects like the solar installations at Red Shirt Farm and Greenagers, along with the digester expansion at Pine Island Farm, will help reduce energy costs while continuing the important work these farms do for our local food system and community. I'm grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and MassDEP for supporting practical investments that will help our region remain sustainable and strong." 
 
The Gap Energy Grant Program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), helps fill the last "gap" in project financing. Recipients can combine these grants with utility incentives and other funding sources to build or install energy efficiency and clean energy projects that might otherwise be delayed or impossible. 
 
"These investments are helping turn energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades into real savings for communities and small businesses," said Governor Maura Healey. "We're not only strengthening our climate resiliency but enabling recipients to reinvest locally, all of which build an economically stronger Massachusetts."
 
The awarded projects are expected to collectively save the grant recipients more than $1.6 million in energy costs every year. They are also expected to generate more than10,691,963 kilowatt hours (kWh) of annual electricity savings — enough to power and heat more than 416 households — and reduce carbon emissions by 2,440 metric tons, the equivalent of removing 569 cars off the road annually. 
 
These grants are managed by the Clean Energy Results Program, an initiative led by MassDEP, and supported by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Please visit MassDEP's Massachusetts Gap Energy Grant Program webpage, for more information on the 2026 Gap IV Energy Grants. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Monument Mountain Scholarships & Awards for 2026

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The following awards and scholarships were awarded to the Monument Mountain Regional High School class of 2026 on Thursday, June 4.

Joseph & Dolores Aberdale Memorial Scholarship: Caroline Becker Adams Community Bank Scholarships: Juan Cambi, Harmony Estrada
Murphy Leary American Legion Post 298 Scholarships: Estelle Baden, Kathryn Barquinero, Caroline Becker, Edward Castille, Lotus Cohen, Mabel Cooney, Reese Duchesne, Griffin Touponce
Robert Annelli Family Scholarships: Cole Kennedy, Logan Pease Austen Riggs/Erikson Institute Evelyn Stefansson Nef Scholarship: Eleanor Konrad
Jeffrey Baer Memorial Scholarships: Donimic Calautti, Griffin Touponce, Tyler Campbell
Michelle Banach Memorial Scholarship: Sadie Suters
William Bannon Memorial Scholarship: Luna Reynolds
Edward Barrett Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Harvey Ehrbar
Becket Scholarship: Lily Davis
Berkshire Hills Education Association Future Educator Scholarships: Remi Perreault, Brooke Decker
The Shannon McAllister Brownson 'Good Life' Scholarships: Mason Buffoni, Tyler Campbell, Oliver Curtis
Caligari Family Scholarship: Kestrel Duke
Chang Chavkin Scholarships: Gianna Beacco, Ember Raifstanger, Jonah Salzmann
CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame Scholarships: Owen Heck, Mabel Cooney
Rosalie Conte Scholarships: Ember Raifstanger, Estelle Baden, Kestrel Duke, Liam Smith, Sadie Honig-Briggs, Luka Kononenko, Francesca Stanmeyer
Community Television of the Southern Berkshires Scholarship: Ember Raifstanger
View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories