(BOSTON – 1/31/2024) The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) last week announced the 50 recipients of the FY23 Massachusetts Green Communities competitive grants. The awards, which total over $7.7 million, will fund clean energy and energy efficiency projects in the Commonwealth. Among the recipients is the town of Auburn, which is slated to receive $155,244.
Funding awarded to Auburn will pay for energy conservation measures and an efficient variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump system in municipal facilities including Bryn Mawr School.
“Retrofitting aging buildings to be more energy efficient saves taxpayer dollars while also reducing our carbon footprint – a win/win,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “I’m thrilled that the Healey Administration and DOER have awarded this generous grant to Auburn. These funds will bring much needed upgrades to municipal buildings and bring us ever closer to our green energy future.”
Representative Paul Frost (R-Auburn) said, “Auburn has been a designated Green Community since 2012, and I am glad to see continued conservation efforts at the local level supported by our state government’s commitment to reducing energy costs over time.”
Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns must meet five criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding. The grants provide financial support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the designated communities’ clean energy goals and are awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards. With the exception of $500,000 building decarbonization grants, awards are capped at $200,000 per municipality.
A full list of grant awardees can be found here.
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