At hearing, MMA cites value of Green Communities Act

In testimony before the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy on Nov. 9, the MMA emphasized the value that the Green Communities Act has brought to municipalities and highlighted challenges the program faces as federal funding for energy-related projects declines.

The MMA noted that with federal aid declining, and the number of cities and towns that have qualified as Green Communities increasing, state support for the energy-efficiency program is more important than ever.

Joel Fontaine, the director of the Division of Regulatory Services in Worcester, and Eric Broadbent, a member of the Energy Advisory Committee in Harvard, also testified at the hearing, which was held to review the impact of the Green Communities Act.

The attorney general’s office was among the other interested parties who testified at the legislative hearing.

Since the passage of the legislation in 2008, 74 cities and towns have been designated as Green Communities, which affords them access to technical assistance and financing for developing means of maximizing the benefits of renewable and alternative energy. The program often leads to lower energy costs for ratepayers.

The Green Communities program has helped at least 111 municipalities create a “stretch” building code that requires greater energy efficiency in new construction.

To achieve the Green Communities designation, cities and towns must meet a series of energy benchmarks, including “as-of-right” siting of renewable energy projects (i.e., a siting process that does not unreasonably regulate these uses), and an expedited permitting process.

The MMA partnered with the Green Communities Division early on, doing extensive outreach with cities and towns to help put them in position to achieve the Green Community designation. The MMA has continued to work with the state to provide forums and other means of outreach targeting municipalities.

At the MMA Annual Meeting on Jan. 20 and 21, three workshops will be devoted to energy efficiency. The MMA will also be introducing a “Community of Practice” website for municipal energy managers that will highlight green-energy projects.