What are Green Communities Grants?

Money in Hand 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 puts them in the running for Green Communities Grants funded by proceeds from auctions of carbon emissions permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

DOER awarded the first round of $8.1 million in grants in July 2010 to 35 cities and towns. DOER reviewed the grant applications and awarded these grants based on a minimum award of $125,000 each per Green Community, with the maximum amount per community adjusted for population and per capita income.

"Green Communities Grants will help cities and towns finance targeted investments in energy efficiency and renewable power, furthering Governor Patrick's clean energy goals, saving money in local budgets, and reducing the carbon footprint of our municipalities," DOER Commissioner Phil Giudice said.

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:

  1. Adopt local zoning that allows renewable/alternative energy projects to be sited without special permits;

    STATUS UPDATE: Truro will need to designate zoning that would accomodate a large solar photovoltaic system (250kW) occupying approximately 1 acre. The transfer station is being reviewed as one possible site.

  2. Adopt an expedited permitting process related to Criteria 1 above;

    STATUS UPDATE: Truro already sets a time limit on the permitting process, so we just need to clarify this existing practice.

  3. 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 underway.

  4. Purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use, whenever such vehicles are commercially available and practicable;

    STATUS UPDATE: Truro will need to make this existing practice explicit via a written policy.

  5. Adopt the energy efficient Stretch Code as an appendix to the Building Code.

    STATUS UPDATE: Adopt at the next Annual Town Meeting.

This Mass. DOER website page has more information on qualification criteria.