Lexington Lands Green Communities Competitive Grant

Lexington was among the 20 Massachusetts cities and towns to receive a Green Communities Competitive Grant this week in a round of funding that funneled $3.7 million in grants to energy projects across the state.

The grants were awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants, according to a press release from the state Department of Energy Resources.

“The clean energy revolution sweeping Massachusetts and it is happening largely because of the bold steps and smart decisions made at the local level," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, whose office includes DOER. “I am pleased we are able to offer funding to allow these 20 communities to continue the good work they’ve begun.”  

Lexington’s award was for  $49,721, toward LED exterior parking lot lighting at Lexington High School.

A few nearby communities also received grant funding, including $200,000 to Bedford for street light upgrades, $250,000 to Newton for a citywide streetlight replacement project to install LED equivalents and $198,620 to Winchester for a handful of projects.

“The cities and towns receiving these awards have already shown outstanding clean energy leadership – first by doing the work to become Green Communities and then by carrying out important energy efficiency and renewable energy projects funded through their initial grants,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia, via the press release. “The projects funded through this new grant round will help them to make further progress toward energy independence while locking in long-term savings for local taxpayers.”