Green’ Communities Awarded Nearly $8 Million

This is a nice investment by Mass Energy in their 43 municipalities.  We think this reflects the changing economic landscape and offers innovative ways of pumping money into green communities and sustainable cities and towns.

This award, over 7m, is a significant infusion of cash into sometimes cash-hungry cities and towns.  We applaud these Green Communities and the state of Ma for a wonderful program.

We have reached out to them for a radio interview.  

By ecoRI News staff

The Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs and Department of Energy Resources recently awarded $7.9 million in grants to fund dozens of clean-energy projects in 43 municipalities statewide.

Green Communities competitive grants are awarded to designated Green Communities that have successfully invested their previously awarded Green Communities grants. Awards are capped at $250,000 per municipality.

This round of grants, totaling $7,905,438, was funded through proceeds from carbon allowance auctions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The goal of this Green Communities program is to support energy-efficiency and renewable-energy projects.

There are 123 Green Communities, representing 48 percent of Massachusetts residents. 

“Green communities are setting the standard for other towns and cities across the commonwealth to follow, and are a major contributor to our state’s national standing as a leader in clean energy,” Senate President Therese Murray said.

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has ranked Massachusetts No. 1 for three straight years. Last year, Gov. Deval Patrick set a new solar goal after reaching the previous goal of 250 megawatts four years early. The state now aims to install 1,600 megawatts of solar capacity by 2020. Currently, there are 518 megawatts installed, capable of powering nearly 79,000 homes. The state’s clean-energy revolution is yielding economic benefits as well, with 11.8 percent job growth in the last year; nearly 80,000 people are employed in the clean-tech industry in Massachusetts, according to state officials.