EASTHAMPTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration announced the Department of Energy Resources, or DOER, has certified the first group of Climate Leader Communities for the state, and the city of Easthampton has made the cut.
With this certification, Easthampton, as well as the 19 cities and towns selected, is now eligible to apply for grants of up to $1.a5 million each for projects that reduce municipal emissions and for technical support ahead of those projects.
“We’re honored to be among Massachusetts’ first Climate Leadership Communities,” Mayor Nicole LaChapelle told Reminder Publishing. “This recognition reflects the tireless work of our Energy Advisory Committee and our city’s deep commitment to climate resiliency, reducing emissions and building a green economy that works for everyone.”
The communities being certified in this first group are Acton, Amherst, Arlington, Ashfield, Cambridge, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Easthampton, Lexington, Melrose, Natick, Pelham, Salem, Somerville, Stow, Swampscott, Truro, Watertown and Wellesley. Each community applied to become Climate Leader Communities and met requirements to become certified as one.
“Congratulations to Massachusetts’ first-ever group of Climate Leader Communities,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “We are working together on all fronts to lower energy costs, and these 19 municipalities have done the hard work to cut their municipal energy costs and lower local air pollution. This new program is a triple win that strengthens communities, local economies and our environment and we are excited to watch it grow.”
The Climate Leader Communities Program builds on the highly successful 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.
DOER created the Climate Leader Communities Program in response to high demand from designated Green Communities for a higher tier of the program. The Climate Leader Communities program encourages municipalities to lower municipal emissions, maximize the efficiency of buildings and transportation and slash energy costs.
“We are excited to welcome the first 19 Climate Leader Communities and to further our partnerships with these cities and towns as they work to meet municipal energy goals,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The local projects these communities take on will build stronger, energy-smart communities and collectively help Massachusetts achieve energy independence.”
Certified Climate Leader Communities 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 certified, municipalities must meet certain 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.
“Following decades of success in reducing energy use and costs, these 19 Climate Leader Communities inspire us with their dedication to build healthy, sustainable communities,” said DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “These cities and towns will build high performance buildings, generate local clean energy, electrify their fleets and increase community engagement and education.”
More information on DOER’s Climate Leadership Communities program can be found on its website. Climate Leader Grant Programs will be funded through auction proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Alternative Compliance Payments.
