Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
As the application deadline approaches for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, the nonprofit PowerOptions is offering help to municipalities with their applications and help implement their grant-funded projects.
Communities have until Aug. 16 to apply through the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources for the block grant funding, which supports community energy planning, energy manager seed funding, and other energy efficiency efforts. The DOER, through the U.S. Department of Energy and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is making $1.6 million in formula funding available to Massachusetts municipalities for this program.
The block grants will support the reduction of fossil fuel emissions, reduction of total energy use in communities, improved efficiency of facilities, and contributions to the growth of the clean energy economy. Eligible activities include clean energy planning (community and project based), clean energy community campaigns, energy manager seed funds, engineering and design for building decarbonization, and public building envelope improvement projects.
Selected municipalities will receive up to $50,000 for most projects, and up to $75,000 for public building envelope improvement projects.
PowerOptions, with 500 members in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, offers shared energy manager services and clean energy planning, both community- and project-based, through its building decarbonization roadmap, its fleet electrification roadmap, and its climate action planning.
Visit the COMMBUYS site for more information about the block grant. Application materials should be sent to green.communities@mass.gov.
Officials interested in partnering with PowerOptions can visit the organization’s website or email Kristen Stelles at kstelljes@poweroptions.org.
The International City/County Management Association will provide free application support to local governments seeking support from the block grant program (for both traditional grants and vouchers). Officials can request the ICMA’s help by filling out an application support form.