The Green Communities Division Partnering with Massachusetts COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Charles D. Baker, Governor Karyn E. Polito, Lt. Governor Matthew A. Beaton, Secretary Judith Judson, Commissioner The Green Communities Division Partnering with Massachusetts Cities and Towns Neal Duffy Northeast Regional Coordinator NSPC Meeting September 14, 2017

Green Communities Division The energy hub for all Massachusetts cities and towns, not just designated “Green Communities.” this group is more up to speed than many others in terms of the Commonwealth’s clean energy initiatives, so I won’t spend a lot of time on the background of the Green Communities Division. Important to note a few things though – including that, although the Division is most often associated with the designation of official Green Communities (such as the one we are meeting in tonight), we actually serve as a central clearinghouse for all things energy for all 351 cities and towns.

Green Communities Division The energy hub for all Massachusetts cities and towns, not just designated “Green Communities.” $

Designation and Grant Program Green Communities Designation and Grant Program Up to $20M/yr in grants and loans to qualifying communities Grants fund energy efficiency initiatives & renewable energy, innovative projects 5

Designation and Grant Program Designation grants based on $125K base plus a population/per capita income formula Range $130,725 in Hatfield to $1M (max award) for Boston Competitive grants available annually up to $250,000 per applicant for Green Communities that have expended all prior grant funds Over $81M awarded in designation and competitive grants Projects include building EE measures, LED streetlights, solar PV, incremental costs for electric vehicles, and more $28.8M in designation awards to 155 Communities $2.42M in competitive awards of June 2012 to 18 communities – ACP funds $3.56M in competitive awards of June 2013 to 20 communities $7.6M in competitive awards of July 2014 to 42 communities $8.9M in competitive awards of July 2015 to 51 communities Of Total GC Funds (D $28,781,573, C $22,514,648) $51,296,221 Primary focus has been EE – Have ERPs to meet! 20 percenters: Arlington, Belchertown, Cambridge, Natick, Palmer, Springfield and Sutton 6

Designation and Grant Program Green Communities Designation and Grant Program Qualification Criteria - Designation Adopt as-of-right siting for RE/AE generation, R&D, or manufacturing Adopt expedited permitting process Create an Energy Reduction Plan to reduce energy use by 20% in 5 years Purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles Minimize life cycle cost in new construction  adopt the Stretch Code 7

Designation and Grant Program Green Communities Designation and Grant Program Qualification Criteria – Designation THE MLP path – Municipal Light Plant communities need to add a .0005/kWh Renewable Energy Charge to become eligible for the program. 8

Designation and Grant Program Green Communities Designation and Grant Program Qualification Criteria – Designation THE MLP path – Municipal Light Plant communities need to add a .0005/kWh Renewable Energy Charge to become eligible for the program. THE MLP “Loophole” – If an MLP community can identify ONE Investor Owned Utility (IOU) customer within their borders - they qualify. 9

Green Communities Benefits Another tool in facilities management toolbox Energy savings can be applied to core services Comfortable buildings = happier employees = better services Increased coordination and communication between departments Higher awareness of other programs and incentives A more comprehensive understanding of your operation and cost drivers

Leading By Example Awards Recognize state agencies, public colleges and universities, municipalities, and public sector employees or volunteers for outstanding efforts in implementing policies and programs that result in measureable environmental and energy benefits. Applications due September 26th. For more information contact: Trey.Gowdy@state.ma.us

Contact Information Neal Duffy– Regional Coordinator neal.duffy@state.ma.us (978) 694-3315 www.mass.gov/energy/greencommunities www.mass.gov/doer Email updates via listserv – Sign up by sending an email to: join-ene-greencommunities@listserv.state.ma.us We want to hear from you!!!!