Baker-Polito Administration Presents Green Communities Designation Awards to North Shore Municipalities
Malden and Chelsea Receive $645,000 for Clean Energy Projects
MALDEN – May 24, 2017 – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded Green Communities designation grants totaling $645,000 to Malden and Chelsea. The awards will fund clean energy projects and were presented by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito at a ceremony at the Malden Senior Center.
Earlier this year, 30 Massachusetts cities and towns were designated by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) as Green Communities, committing to an ambitious renewable energy agenda to reduce energy consumption and emissions. Over half of the Commonwealth’s municipalities have earned their Green Communities designation and 64 percent of residents live in a Green Community. Since the program began in 2010, DOER’s Green Communities division has awarded over $65 million in grant funding to the Commonwealth’s cities and towns through designation and competitive grant rounds.
“The Green Communities program is an excellent example of how state and local governments can work together to save taxpayer money and promote responsible energy policies,” saidGovernor Charlie Baker. “The newest 30 Green Communities in the Commonwealth will have additional resources to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy, securing energy savings for residents and reducing their carbon footprints.”
“Our municipal partners continue to help Massachusetts lead the way on renewable energy by adopting practices to reduce energy consumption, while saving money that can be directed to vital municipal functions, like public safety and education,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to continuing to provide cities and towns across the Commonwealth the tools they need to reduce energy costs, usage and emissions.”
The Commonwealth’s 185 Green Communities range from the Berkshires to Cape Cod and are home to 64 percent of Massachusetts’ population in municipalities as large as Boston and as small as Rowe. Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns must meet five criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding, including reducing municipal energy consumption by 20 percent over five years. The 30 newly designated Green Communities have committed to reducing their energy consumption amounting to savings of $6,241,862 of energy costs and 2,234,090 MMBtu in five years, energy use equivalent to heating and powering nearly 2,718 homes, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 27,641 metric tons, equivalent to taking 5,819 cars off the roads.
“When Massachusetts’ cities and towns invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency programs everyone wins, from taxpayers savings to a statewide reduction in emissions,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beaton. “With these designations, DOER’s Green Communities program continues to prove an effective tool in building a clean, renewable energy future for the Commonwealth.”
“DOER is proud to work with cities and towns across Massachusetts as they take important steps in embracing renewable energy and energy efficiency at the local level,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judson. “These designations are simply the beginning of an important relationship between the Commonwealth and our municipal partners as we work towards our shared clean energy goals.”
DOER awarded funding for projects in these newly designated Green Communities include:
Municipality Award
Malden $312,460
Chelsea $332,540
“I join my colleagues and the citizens of Malden in welcoming Lt. Governor Karyn Polito in celebration of Malden's recognition as a Green Community,” said Representative Paul Donato (D-Malden).
“Becoming a Green Community represents a major achievement in Malden’s energy and environmental objectives. This money will help Malden expand efforts to conserve energy, cut costs, and protect our environment,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino (D-Malden). “This grant award will benefit all of Malden’s residents for years to come, and the Green Communities designation will allow Malden to compete for future grants as well.”
“I want to thank the Baker-Polito administration for designating the City of Chelsea as a Green Community,” said State Representative RoseLee Vincent (D-Revere). “Through their generosity, the City of Chelsea will be able to collaborate with the DOER to find clean energy solutions that will reduce long-term energy costs and help the residents and businesses of the city.”
“I am very pleased that the City of Malden will receive this much deserved designation,” said State Representative Paul Brodeur (D-Melrose). “Creating a clean, environmentally friendly Malden has been a major priority for our community for a long time, and the Commonwealth’s partnership with local leaders will serve to further that goal.”
Under the Green Communities Act, DOER’s Green Communities Designation and Grant Program can provide up to $20 million annually to qualified cities and towns. The goal of the Designation Grant Program is support communities’ investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the clean energy goals determined by the designated communities. Initial Designation Grants are based on a $125,000 base for each designated Green Community, plus additional amounts tied to per capita income and population, and for municipalities that provide as-of-right siting for renewable energy generation.
“The Green Communities Program is an outstanding example of the strong partnership that the Baker-Polito Administration and the Legislature have forged with cities and towns,” said Geoffrey C. Beckwith, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. “Communities all across the state will use these grant funds for innovative programs to reduce energy usage and invest in renewable energy projects, and the benefits will flow to taxpayers and the environment.”
Funding for these grants is available through proceeds from carbon allowance auctions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP) paid by retail electric suppliers that do not meet their Renewable Portfolio Standard compliance obligations through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates.
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