Green Communities list now tops 100

Gov. Deval Patrick joined state and local officials at the State House yesterday to announce the designation of 17 new Green Communities, bringing the total to 103 cities and towns.

Nearly half of Massachusetts residents (44 percent) now live in a Green Community, according to the Department of Energy Resources. Joining the roster in the latest round are: Amherst, Ashland, Auburn, Berlin, Conway, Gill, Great Barrington, Huntington, Lakeville, Leominster, Northfield, Pelham, Richmond, Sunderland, Tisbury, Townsend, and West Tisbury. These communities will be eligible for nearly $2.75 million in grants for local renewable power and energy efficiency projects.

Participating communities have committed to five clean energy leadership criteria – including cutting energy use by 20 percent over five years – spelled out in the Green Communities Act, enacted in 2008.

The Green Communities Act empowers communities to invest in local solutions that expand renewable energy adoption, boost the clean energy industry, and cut overall energy use. As a result, Massachusetts leads the nation in energy efficiency and has seen the number of renewable energy projects – like solar and wind – soar. There are now more clean energy companies and clean energy jobs in Massachusetts than ever before.

“Surpassing the 100th Green Community mark is a win for every community and our Commonwealth as a whole,” said Gov. Patrick. “This milestone proves again the clean energy revolution is taking hold, and growing, one community at a time.”

Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray added: “Now over 100 Green Communities are making strategic investments to increase energy efficiency and create jobs, improving our economy and quality of life across Massachusetts.”

To date, the state’s Green Communities have committed to a total energy reduction equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 13,358 homes, according to the Department of Energy Resources. This commitment equates to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 22,556 cars off the road.

“When we launched Green Communities just a few years ago, we never predicted such an overwhelming response,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “Becoming a Green Community requires hard work, and this milestone is a testament to the eagerness with which cities and towns large and small have rolled up their sleeves in support of a clean energy future.”

The Green Communities designation and grant program reward communities that meet five clean-energy benchmarks:

• Adopting a local zoning bylaw or ordinance that allows “as-of-right siting” for renewable and/or alternative energy research and development facilities, manufacturing facilities or generation units

• Adopting an expedited permitting process related to the as-of-right facilities

• Establishing a municipal energy use baseline and a program to reduce use by 20 percent within five years

• Purchasing only fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use, whenever such vehicles are commercially available and practicable

• Requiring all new residential construction over 3,000 square feet and all new commercial and industrial real estate construction to reduce lifecycle energy costs (i.e., adoption of an energy-saving building “stretch code”)

Once designated by the 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 streetlights, and a host of energy-efficiency upgrades.

“I applaud the administration for its leadership and investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects,” said Rep. John Keenan, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “The Commonwealth continues to lead the nation in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency, and the Green Communities program is at the forefront of that effort.”

Massachusetts imports all of its fossil-fuel-based energy sources, according to the DOER. Of the $22 billion spent annually on the energy that runs the state’s power plants, buildings and vehicles, 80 percent – nearly $18 billion – flows out of state to places like South America, Canada and the Middle East.

By the end of this month, Massachusetts will have more than 118 megawatts of solar power. By the end of the year, the Bay State will be more than halfway to its goal of 250 megawatts, with five years left to hit the target.

Grants for the newest Green Communities will be funded by Alternative Compliance Payments made by electricity suppliers who do not meet their obligation to purchase a sufficient percentage of renewable energy. The Green Communities program also receives funding from proceeds of carbon allowance auctions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Using a formula that caps awards at $1 million and provides each community with a $125,000 base grant – plus additional amounts based on other criteria – the DOER notified the selected communities of their eligibility for the following funding:

Amherst: $302,000
Ashland: $164,325
Auburn: $165,550
Berlin: $140,350
Conway: $139,650
Gill: $139,900
Great Barrington: $142,700
Huntington: $140,650
Lakeville: $158,275
Leominster: $245,575
Northfield: $143,750
Pelham: $138,100
Richmond: $137,300
Sunderland: $146,450
Tisbury: $140,925
Townsend: $156,825
West Tisbury: $143,250

Each Green Community will also receive a certificate from the Commonwealth and four road signs identifying it as an official Green Community.

• Link to DOER for more information on the Green Communities program