Concord Uses Green Communities Grant For 7 Projects

CONCORD, MA — Concord received a Green Communities grant and wasted no time putting the money to work.

The $138,885 Green Communities grant is being used to kick-start seven energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction projects this year.

Projects included converting a cargo van to a hybrid electric vehicle, installing public EV charging stations at Gerow Park and Rideout Playground, installing a pool cover and upgrading the heating system at the Beede Swim & Fitness Center and completing the upgrade of town streetlights and Police & Fire Headquarters and Beede Center lighting to high efficiency LED fixtures.

The projects are projected to save Concord over $30,000 in energy costs.

The grants are offered to Green Communities, which is a designation that requires cities and towns to meet five criteria to qualify for funding. The grants provide financial support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the designated communities’ clean energy goals. Grants are capped at $200,000 per municipality. Funding for these grants is available through proceeds from carbon allowance auctions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative