Lexington Named As 'Green Community'

Lexington made a list of 35 communities in the state designated as "green communities" this week by Gov. Deval Patrick.

The designation gives Lexington eligiblity for a portion of a first round of $8.1 million in renewable power and energy-efficient project grants. Cities and towns applied for the green community designation by May 14, by demonstrating they meet a set of clean energy benchmarks.

Other towns in the area selected as green communities include Arlington, Lincoln, Melrose and Sudbury.

Lexington Planning Director Maryann McCall-Taylor said the town now has until June 4 to apply for grants through the green communities grant program, and is currently deciding what projects to seek funding for.

The grants submitted are for projects that would help the town reach its energy reduction plan of curbing emissions 20 percent in five years, and could include a solar panel project, McCall-Taylor said.

"At this point we're figuring out what our sharpest grant applications are," she said. "More communities were designated than expected, which means less money will be available per community."

The town is hoping to receive funding for about three different grants, she said.

In a press release, Patrick said he is pleased to see so many communities dedicated to saving energy and making new construction as energy-efficient as possible.

"Taking the initiative to make the changes necessary to promote energy efficiency and encourage renewable energy is critical to a community's future both environmentally and economically," he said. "The cities and towns designated 'green communities' have taken this challenge seriously and succeeded in their efforts."

View the governor's press release about the green communities.