Natick Gets More Than $200,000 in Clean Energy Grant

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton, and Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Judith Judson announced this week nearly $8.9 million in grants to fund clean energy projects in 51 communities across the Commonwealth, including Natick.

“Our administration is proud to help Green Communities reduce their energy use so they can reinvest their financial savings in schools, police, fire, municipal infrastructure and other local initiatives,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. “Massachusetts’ leadership in energy efficiency continues to help municipalities around the state secure long-term energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Natick received $173,526 to fund a solar PV power purchase agreement at the middle school, the incremental cost of a hybrid vehicle, and for carbon X dioxide sensors at town hall. Also, $126,662 was given to fund the following energy conservation measures: retrocommissioning projects in Morse Library, Police & Fire Headquarters, and the Recreation Center; in Springvale Water Treatment Facility, generator heater and HVAC controls; installation of data X point for 11 electric heaters at wells/sewer pumps; and installation/replacement of variable frequency drives at Captain Tom’s Hill well. Another $239,092 was granted to fund monitoring-based commissioning and analysis of four facilities and energy conservation measures in Bennett X Hemenway School, Morse Library, the Senior Center, and the Cole Recreation Center. And Natick also received $237,222 to fund behavioral dashboards at Brown and Ben-Hem Elementary Schools, purchase of an electric vehicle for the assessor’s office, installation of EV Level II charging station and the following energy conservation measures: at Brown Elementary, demand control ventilation, controls for domestic hot water pump and exhaust fans, variable frequency drives / motors, and circuit monitoring; at Wilson Middle, demand control ventilation and controls for domestic hot water pump ; at Lilja Elementary, controls for domestic hot water and variable frequency drives / motors; at Natick High School, demand control ventilation, controls for ERUs, and WebCTRL reprograming for supply fan shutoff; at DPW office, controls for exhaust fans; at Police / Fire Station, variable frequency drives / motors; and at Ben-Hem Elementary, circuit monitoring.

Natick has been designated as a green community since May 25, 2010.

“The Green Communities grants will allow municipalities to save a considerable amount in long-term energy costs, as well as to protect the environment and make progress toward the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These grants further reiterate the Commonwealth’s ability to work with cities and towns to ensure Massachusetts continues to be a leader in clean energy and energy efficiency.”

DOER’s Green Communities Competitive Grants are awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards. Grants are capped at $250,000 per municipality.

The grants, totaling $8,894,583, are funded through proceeds from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auctions and Alternative Compliance Payments under the Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard.

“These grants are not only beneficial for the selected municipalities, but help to significantly reduce energy use around the state,” said EEA Secretary Matthew Beaton in the announcement. “Through this program, the Baker-Polito Administration continues its commitment to reducing Massachusetts’ greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging the innovation of our growing clean energy technology sector.”

The 136 Green Communities across the state are home to more than half of Massachusetts’ population. All Green Communities commit to reducing their municipal energy consumption by 20 percent after five years.