3 Central Mass. Communities Win Green Grants
The state presented more than $542,000 in grants Monday to fund clean energy projects in three Central Massachusetts communities: Leominster, Berlin and Townsend.
The grants are part of a funding package of nearly $2.75 million that will be given to 17 communities, which also include Ashland and Auburn. The state has now designated 103 communities as "green," which commits them to five clean energy leadership criteria – including cutting energy use by 20 percent over five years --spelled out in the Green Communities Act, which was passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Patrick in 2008.
The criteria include:
- Adopting local zoning bylaws or ordinances that allow a project to proceed without requiring a special permit or any type of discretionary approval for renewable or alternative energy research and development facilities, manufacturing facilities or generation units;
- Adopting an expedited permitting process related to the facilities;
- Establishing a municipal energy-use baseline and program to reduce use by 20 percent within five years;
- Purchasing only fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use, whenever they're commercially available and practicable; and
- Requiring all new residential construction over 3,000 square feet and all new commercial and industrial real estate construction to reduce lifecycle energy costs (i.e. adoption of an energy-saving building "stretch code").
Leominster will receive $245,675; Berlin, $140,350, and Townsend, $156,825. Ashland is receiving $164,325 and Auburn $165,550.
"These three communities are among the leaders in the clean energy revolution underway in Massachusetts," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. "The Patrick-Murray administration is proud to support cities and towns like these, which are committed to cutting energy use, creating jobs and protecting the environment."
The program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). Projects that will be funded for all 17 new communities will be finalized this fall, according to DOER.
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