DOER certifies inaugural group of 19 Climate Leader Communities

The Department of Energy Resources on May 2 announced that 19 cities and towns applied for and met the requirements to become the state’s first group of Climate Leader Communities.

The certified communities are Acton, Amherst, Arlington, Ashfield, Cambridge, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Easthampton, Lexington, Melrose, Natick, Pelham, Salem, Somerville, Stow, Swampscott, Truro, Watertown and Wellesley.

The Climate Leader Communities are now eligible to apply for grants of up to $1.15 million each for projects that reduce municipal emissions and for technical support ahead of those projects.

“These 19 municipalities have done the hard work to cut their municipal energy costs and lower local air pollution,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a prepared statement, adding that the new program is “a triple win” that strengthens communities, local economies and the environment.

The Climate Leader Communities Program builds on the Green Communities Designation and Grant program. The vast majority of Massachusetts municipalities are designated Green Communities, partnering with DOER on hundreds of projects to deliver $29.7 million in cost savings each year.

The DOER created the Climate Leader Communities Program in response to high demand from designated Green Communities for a higher tier of the program. The CLC encourages municipalities to lower municipal emissions, maximize the efficiency of buildings and transportation, and slash energy costs.

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said the Climate Leader Communities “will take their work to the next level and create healthier communities and lower costs for residents and businesses.”

DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony said the 19 Climate Leader Communities will build high-performance buildings; generate local, clean energy; electrify their fleets; and increase community engagement and education.

Certified CLCs have access to grant funding to support energy efficiency measures and heating and cooling projects, energy management services, and local energy generation on municipally owned property. To become a CLC, municipalities must meet certification requirements that include a local committee to advise and help coordinate local energy activities in the municipality; a commitment to transition away from on-site fossil fuel use in municipal buildings and fleets by 2050; a zero-emission-vehicle-first policy; and adoption of the Specialized Energy Code.

Climate Leader grant programs will be funded through auction proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Alternative Compliance Payments.

Visit the DOER’s Climate Leader Communities program website for more information.