Framingham Receives Municipal Energy Grant From Commonwealth

The Baker-Polito Administration, led by Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton and Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson, yesterday, Aug. 26, announced $455,000 in Municipal Energy Technical Assistance grants to develop clean energy projects for 37 communities across the Commonwealth.

“We are committed to helping Massachusetts communities reduce energy costs and meet their energy challenges through clean energy,” said Governor Charlie Baker, in a statement. “These local technical assistance grants will help municipalities develop clean energy projects while creating local jobs, lowering energy costs and reducing the Commonwealth’s carbon footprint.”

“The Municipal Energy Technical Assistance grants will provide cities and towns with the financial resources and technical assistance necessary to move their communities along the path toward a cleaner energy future,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, in a press release. “The administration is dedicated to working with cities and towns to ensure Massachusetts continues to be a leader in clean energy and energy efficiency.”

The Town of Framingham received a $12,500 grant.

The money will be used in Framingham as part of an agreement Town Meeting members signed with Framingham-based Ameresco to make the The Town of Framingham more energy efficient, including replacing the streetlights with LED bulbs, and installing energy-efficient boilers.

The Municipal Energy Technical Assistance (META) grants are awarded to Massachusetts municipalities, regional school districts, and water/wastewater districts.

META grants fund the services of expert consultants and contractors to aid in the negotiation and management of projects, or the performance of studies to support the development of energy projects. The grants are funded through proceeds from Alternative Compliance Payments under the Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard.

“Energy projects are often complicated endeavors that require expertise that many municipalities don’t have access to on staff. META grants provide access to those resources that can help communities achieve significant energy, cost, and greenhouse gas emission reductions,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Through this program, we are able to work with municipalities to reduce energy use in the Commonwealth and encourage the innovation of our growing clean energy technology sector.”

The projects and studies funded this round will support the performance of solar photovoltaic site evaluation, heating system replacements, ASHRAE Level II audits, and technical analysis of energy use at drinking water and wastewater facilities.

“DOER is pleased to offer these grants to Massachusetts cities and towns each year,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson, in a press release. “We consistently hear that they often provide the catalyst needed to get local energy projects out of the starting gate and moving toward the finish line.”

Other communities awarded grants included: Adams, Andover, Ayer, Belmont, Berlin, Chelmsford, Conway, Deerfield, Easton, Hamilton, Hampden, Hampshire Regional School District, Haverhill, Hawley, Huntington, Lanesborough, Lawrence, Lincoln, Lowell, Lunenburg, Mohawk Trail Regional School District, Montague, Natick, Newton, Oak Bluffs, Petersham, Provincetown, Rutland, Somerville, South Hadley, Sudbury Water District, Tisbury, Turner’s Falls Water Department, Wenham, Weston, and Windsor.