Local towns receive Green Communities grants
DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia stands with Jim Barry, regional Green Community coordinator, in front of the sign designating Great Barrington a Green Community.
GREAT BARRINGTON – Being green has started to payoff for two local towns.
Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan and Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia recently presented $280,000 in grants to fund clean energy projects in the Berkshire County towns of Great Barrington and Richmond.
“I congratulate Richmond and Great Barrington on joining the over 100 Green Communities across the commonwealth as they make smart investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Community by community, we are protecting our environment, reducing municipal costs and making Massachusetts a clean energy leader.”
Great Barrington will receive $142,700, and Richmond will receive $137,300.
“Great Barrington and Richmond are among the leaders in the clean energy revolution underway in Massachusetts,” said Secretary Sullivan, whose office includes DOER. “The Patrick-Murray Administration is proud to support towns like these, which are committed to cutting energy use, creating jobs and protecting the environment.”
Both towns have stated that they will use the finds to make town buildings more energy-efficient. The expenditures will include new windows, doors and insulation.
“With today’s designation, the commonwealth again demonstrates its commitment to supporting our municipalities while advancing our clean energy goals,” said Senator Benjamin B. Downing, Senate Chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “I am proud that communities I represent, Conway, Great Barrington and Richmond, join 100 other Green Communities in committing to these goals through reduced energy use and the encouragement of renewable energy solutions.”
In addition to the grants, each town will receive a certificate from the commonwealth and four road signs identifying it as an official “Green Community.”
“Nearly half of the Commonwealth’s residents live in a community that has made a conscious decision to buck the energy status quo and become a leader in renewable energy adoption and smart energy use,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “Becoming a Green Community requires hard work, and these grants are a testament to the eagerness with which Great Barrington and Richmond have rolled up their sleeves in support of a clean energy future.”
Great Barrington and Richmond are the fifth and sixth towns in the county to win the designation, following Becket, Lenox, Pittsfield and Williamstown.
The 17 new communities helped Massachusetts surpass the 100 Green Communities mark, a milestone that demonstrates the commitment of Bay State cities and towns that choose what makes sense both for municipal budgets and the environment.
Once designated by DOER as official Green Communities, cities and towns are eligible for awards to fund local renewable power and energy efficiency projects that advance both municipal and state clean energy goals. Grants awarded so far assist an array of projects across the state, including the installation of solar panels on town office buildings, weatherization at schools and municipal buildings, installation of high-efficiency street lights, and a host of energy efficiency upgrades.
The program is funded through auctions of carbon emissions permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, as well as Annual Compliance Payments made by electricity suppliers under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard.
“This is wonderful news that Great Barrington has earned the designation as a Green Community,” said Representative William Pignatelli. “I know they worked hard to become part of this program and I commend the town for taking the initiative. Our communities continue to lead the charge toward a more sustainable future and this is another great step towards t
DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia stands with Jim Barry, regional Green Community coordinator, in front of the sign designating Great Barrington a Green Community.hat goa
Posted by Kameron Z. Spaulding
on August 23, 2012. Filed under Community News,Featured,News.
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