What are Green Communities Grants?
Under a Mass. Department of Energy Resources (DOER) program established by the Green Communities Act of 2008, cities and towns that achieve five key energy benchmarks can apply to be named "Green Communities," a designation that makes them eligible for Green Communities Grants funded by proceeds from auctions of carbon emissions permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
DOER has awarded $11.7 million in grants to 53 cities and towns. DOER calculates Green Communities grants using a formula that caps awards at $1 million and provides each community with a $125,000 base grant - plus additional amounts based on per capita income and population.
"The Green Communities program provides cities and towns with the opportunity to increase efficiency and renewable energy alternatives," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. "As we move forward with the second round of this program, our administration congratulates these municipalities who are forward thinking and support clean energy initiatives for their hometown and the Commonwealth."
DOER's Green Communities Grant Program uses funding from auctions of carbon emissions permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reward communities that win Green Communities designation.
This Mass. DOER website page has more information on Green Communities Grants.
What does Truro need to do to qualify?
Requirements for Green Community designation include the following 5 Criteria:
- Adopt local zoning that allows renewable/alternative energy projects to be sited without special permits.
This is Articles 20 and 21 in the Town Warrant.
STATUS UPDATE: Truro will need to approve zoning that would accomodate a large solar photovoltaic system (250kW) occupying approximately 1 acre. The landfill zoning is being proposed as that site by creating a Solar Panel Overlay Zone.
- Adopt an expedited permitting process related to Criterion 1, above.
This is Article 22 in the Town Warrant.
STATUS UPDATE: Truro already sets a time limit on the permitting process, so this existing practice just needs to be clarified in a zoning by-law.
- Establish a municipal energy use baseline and establish a program designed to reduce baseline use by 20 percent within five years.
STATUS UPDATE: This is under way, with 2009 as the base-year.
- Purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use, whenever such vehicles are commercially available and practicable.
STATUS UPDATE: The Truro Board of Selectmen have unanimously approved a fuel-efficient vehicle policy for the town.
- Adopt the energy efficient Stretch Code as an appendix to the Building Code.
This is Article 23 in the Town Warrant.
STATUS UPDATE: Adopt at the Annual Town Meeting on April 26th.
This Mass. DOER website page has more information on qualification criteria.