Belmont Awarded $250K Clean Energy Grant

BELMONT, MA – Belmont received $250,000 in state funding this week through the Baker-Polito administration's Green Community grants. The state awarded $14,043,257 to 72 municipalities across Massachusetts to fund clean energy projects.

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 to further clean energy goals. This sixth annual round of grants is awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their previous funding. Belmont received the maximum amount awarded.

Since the program's inception seven years ago, the Department of Energy Resources has awarded more than $80 million to 185 communities statewide.

"Today’s grant announcement is the largest award in the Green Communities program history and represents our Administration’s commitment to supporting clean energy efforts for our partners in cities and towns across Massachusetts," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a release. "The projects funded by these grants will allow cities and towns across the Commonwealth to reinvest their energy savings in vital public services like schools, public safety, and local infrastructure."

Monday's grants will fund a wide range of projects, including ventilation system upgrades, high efficiency lighting, installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal facilities, LED streetlights and other clean energy initiatives.

"The efforts of the 72 communities receiving over $14 million today are important as we work to meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals set forth under the Global Warming Solutions Act," Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson said in a statement. "These grants represent another milestone for both the communities and the Commonwealth as we continue to work collaboratively to build a clean, resilient, and affordable energy future."

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