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Salem Receives Green Communities Grant

$250,000 state grant to support electric vehicle infrastructure and school energy upgrades.
Posted on: July 23, 2018 - 9:28am
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The City of Salem has received a $250,000 Green Communities grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources in order to carry out a number of projects that will help reduce lessen the community’s carbon footprint and save tax payers money. The amount is the maximum possible to a municipality under the grant program’s guidelines.

Under the Green Communities Act, Salem qualifies as a Green Community by meeting an established set of criteria. Eligible communities can then compete for the grant funding to receive financial support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the designated communities’ clean energy goals.

Salem’s funds will be put toward lighting upgrades at the Bates Elementary School, Carlton Innovation School, and the Salerno Automotive Technical Center at Salem High School, as well as the installation of an additional electric vehicle charging station, adding to the City’s existing infrastructure for electric vehicles. The Salerno Automotive Technical Center will also receive a new high efficiency heating and ventilation system.

“Providing communities with the tools necessary to reduce costs and carbon emissions through the Green Communities Grant program will help Massachusetts continue to be a national leader in clean energy,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Cities and towns across the Commonwealth embrace clean energy and are vital partners in meeting Massachusetts’ ambitious energy and emissions goals.”

“I am very grateful to the Baker administration and DOER for continuing to make these funds available and for recognizing the value in the work proposed by the City of Salem in our application,” said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. “As we strive to prepare for a more resilient future in the face of global climate change, it’s still critically important that we do our part locally to reduce our own carbon footprint. These projects will all help lessen our own contribution to climate change, while also supporting cleaner modes of transit and reducing our City’s utility bills.”