Consumers in hundreds of communities across the state are making the CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE®. Backed by matching grants from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s (MTC) Renewable Energy Trust, voluntary ratepayer contributions are helping to support new sources of clean electricity. MTC matches contributions up to 100% for the ratepayer’s town and matches contributions up to 100% for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to benefit low-income residents throughout Massachusetts.

Matching Grants used to Fund Low-Income Renewable Energy Projects

MTC has recently released its first CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE® Low-Income Solicitation, which invites applications for renewable energy and energy efficiency implementation projects to benefit low-income Massachusetts investor-owned utility ratepayers. MTC plans to fund renewable energy projects on non-residential buildings that are primarily used by low-income ratepayers.

Over $350,000 is available for projects through this Solicitation. These funds are the result of MTC’s CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE® match of voluntary clean energy premiums paid by ratepayers throughout Massachusetts. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to: community development corporations, energy organizations, environmental groups, municipalities, and community organizations. An applicant must either be Massachusetts public or non-profit organization incorporated as a Massachusetts non-profit.

The City of Worcester Requests CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE®
Match for Clean Energy Task Force

The City of Worcester is using $16,000 of their CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE® matching grant to fund a clean energy task force. Additional CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE® matching funds will continue to be generated for Worcester through MTC’s match of voluntary clean energy premiums paid by Worcester residents. The 15-member energy task force will be responsible for analyzing potential costs and economic benefits of incorporating clean energy technologies in new building and construction designs, as well as capital rehabilitation projects. The task force will be chaired by Stephen R. Willand, director of the City Manager’s Division of Workforce Development. In addition to Mr. Willand, the members of the task force are Robert Fiore, assistant to the commissioner of public works; John Orrell, city purchasing director; Gene Olearczyk, plant manager for the Worcester Public Schools; Eric Twickler, the city’s principal architect; and John Rug, fleet manager for the Department of Public Works.

Also on the task force are Peggy Middaugh, director of the Regional Environmental Council; Rob Krueger, a professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Peter Russo, account manager, National Grid; Adam Parker, president, Conservation Services Group; Larry Chretien, president, MassEnergy; John Carney, general manager, Worcester Regional Transit Authority; Brian Blood, director of the Worcester office of NSTAR; and Joseph Zwirblia of the Worcester Regional Airport Commission.

City Manager Mike O’Brien sees this as a critical step for the city to identify technologies that will lower overall energy consumption, and reduce Worcester demand on fossil fuel use. The Regional Environmental Council (REC) of Worcester was chosen to serve as the city’s contractor to oversee the project.

New Grant Seeks to Stimulate the Market for Renewable Energy

Clean Water Action (CWA), together with Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN), and Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light (MIP&L) were chosen as the recipients of a Round Three Public Awareness award. They have been awarded $100,000 to perform outreach and education concerning MTC’s Clean Energy Choice® initiative over a 12-month period.

With MTC funding, this non-profit coalition will perform outreach and organizing activities to promote climate change leadership and stimulate the market for renewable energy resources in six Massachusetts communities. This targeted outreach will highlight the benefits and availability of clean energy in Gloucester, Salem, Medford, Worcester, Newton and Cambridge. A primary goal of the coalition’s work is to motivate towns, residents and businesses to pay a premium to support the development of new renewable energy sources. Coalition activities will include presentations to churches and synagogues, local environmental organizations, civic groups, and business groups. In addition, they will distribute information at community events and to the press.  

This newsletter can also be viewed at http://www.CleanEnergyChoice.org/learn_more.