Assistant Town Administrator Judith Mooney, Facilities Director Shaun Cormier and the Marion Energy Management Committee are pleased to share that the Town of Marion has been awarded a $102,000 Green Communities Competitive Grant from the state’s Department of Energy Resources (DOER.)
The grant funding is part of a statewide initiative to help Massachusetts cities and towns find clean energy solutions that reduce long-term energy costs and strengthen local economies. The Town of Marion is one of 64 communities to receive a portion of the latest grant funds totaling over $8 million, which were announced last week.
Approximately $80,000 of the town’s awarded grant will go toward replacing antiquated equipment that provides heating and cooling for the Elizabeth Taber Library’s first floor. This project is expected to save $3,389, 2,110 kWh of electricity and 2,508 therms of natural gas annually. The payback time for the project is approximately 24 years.
Approximately $16,000 of the grant funding will go toward ductwork sealing and insulation in the Elizabeth Taber Library basement. This project is expected to save $904 and 753 therms of natural gas annually. The payback time for the project is approximately 18 years.
The remaining funds will be used to support administrative activities in relation to the projects.
“Since being named a Green Community, we have worked to identify and complete projects that will improve our energy efficiency town-wide, and this work continues with these projects at Elizabeth Taber Library,” Director Cormier said. “We are grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration and Department of Energy Resources for this funding and their continued support of our efforts.”
Competitive grants are awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards. Communities must meet five criteria [3] to be designated as a Green Community and be eligible for funding. Two-hundred eighty Massachusetts cities and towns [4] have currently earned the Green Communities designation, which accounts for 87% of the Commonwealth’s population.
“Ongoing collaboration with public sector leaders at the state and local level significantly contributes to our Administration’s goal of a cleaner, more reliable, and equitable energy future,” Governor Charlie Baker said. “The innovative and cost-effective projects receiving grants will increase energy efficiency and clean energy use in municipal buildings and vehicles across the Commonwealth, significantly helping our state achieve its long-term emissions reduction requirements.”