The designation brings with it a state grant of $202,590.
In announcing the new Green Communities at an event in Clinton in celebration of Earth Week, Baker said the state s cities and towns have made progress toward shared energy and environmental goals while dealing with the substantial challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. We are proud to support the commonwealth s municipalities through the Green Communities program to help them save on energy costs and contribute to the commonwealth s statewide efforts to achieve net zero emissions in 2050, Baker said.
The program provides financial and technical assistance to municipalities that pledge to reduce municipal energy use by 20 percent over five years. Other requirements included designating two zoning districts where renewable or alternative energy research and development facilities can locate with expedited permitting, a policy for purchasing fuel-efficient municipal vehicles and requiring increased fuel efficiency i