Town of Blackstone Awarded Green Communities Competitive Grant

BLACKSTONE — The Town of Blackstone has been awarded a $105,474 state Green Communities Competitive grant to improve energy efficiency at local public facilities.

On March 4, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Communities Division Director Joanne Bissetta informed Blackstone Town Administrator Chad Lovett that the Town will receive $105,474 toward the following projects that were proposed in a grant application:

• The installation of a heat pump system at the town-operated Blackstone Historical Museum ($39,976).
• The weatherization of the Blackstone Public Library ($51,886).
• The weatherization of the Blackstone Historical Museum ($8,612).
• Administrative assistance for additional energy efficiency work ($5,000).

“The Division reviewed Blackstone’s grant application and has determined these are viable projects that meet the eligibility requirements of our Competitive Grant Program,” Director Bissetta wrote.

The $105,474 grant for Blackstone was among $7 million in grants announced last Thursday by the DOER to fund energy efficiency and clean energy projects in 43 cities and towns across the state. With this latest round of grants, DOER has awarded more than $205 million to Green Communities in Designation Grants and Competitive Grants since 2010, helping to reduce municipal energy costs by more than $30 million annually through weatherization projects, the installation of high-efficiency lighting, upgrades to energy management systems, and the transition of HVAC systems away from fossil fuels to air- or ground-source heat pumps.

“DOER is proud to support municipal clean energy and decarbonization projects all over Massachusetts with more than $200 million since 2010. We’re delighted to help active Green Communities meet their local climate and energy goals,” said DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “These grants will help 43 communities upgrade municipal buildings and fleets to clean, modern technologies and free up municipal budgets for crucial local services.”

DOER staff selected applications based on a number of criteria, including energy impacts, emissions reductions, utility incentives, reasonable budget, efficacy of measures in terms of energy savings per DOER investment, and previous grant awards.

“We congratulate you on your grant award and applaud your efforts to create a
cleaner energy future for your community and the Commonwealth as a whole,” Director Bissetta wrote to the Town of Blackstone.

DOER also prioritized projects that “exhibit innovation and consistency with the Commonwealth’s stated clean energy priorities.”

“This grant will help the Town of Blackstone improve the energy efficiency of several important community facilities while reducing long-term operating costs,” said Town Administrator Chad Lovett. “We appreciate the state’s support and look forward to completing these projects to benefit our residents and our town properties.”