Grafton Designated A Massachusetts 'Green Community'

GRAFTON, MA – Grafton is among 25 Massachusetts cities and towns to be recently designated Green Communities by the Department of Energy Resources, the Baker-Polito administration announced Thursday. Over half of the Commonwealth's municipalities are now certified as Green Communities, and 68 percent of residents live in a Green Community, the administration said.

The 25 new Green Communities are now eligible for $4,316,955 in grants to complete renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Since the program began in 2010, DOER's Green Communities division has awarded over $65 million in funding to municipalities in Massachusetts.

"The Green Communities Program helps the state achieve a renewable energy portfolio, while preserving taxpayer resources," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. "With over 68 percent of residents living in a green community, the program continues to be a successful model for state and local governments working together to achieve impactful progress and responsible savings."

Grafton was awarded $157,485 in DOER funds upon receiving its designation. The group of 25 Green Communities has committed to reducing energy consumption amounting to savings of 296,968 MMBtus in five years, equivalent to heating and powering over 2,300 homes, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 23,630 tons, equivalent to taking nearly 5,000 cars off the road.

"The Green Communities Program is vital to ensuring a balanced approach to long-term energy use reduction and a sustainable Commonwealth," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. "I commend the 25 communities joining the Green Communities Program and look forward to continued collaboration in achieving our combined interest of integrating energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions."

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