Western Massachusetts towns benefit from Gap Energy Grant funds Date: 1/17/2023 WESTERN MASS. – In the last days of the Baker-Polito administration, several communities and nonprofits in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties received word they would be the recipients of Gap Energy Grants.
Chicopee, Easthampton and Whately, as well as Home City Housing in Springfield received part of the $8.1 million grant program.
The grant program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). The grants are designed to fill funding gaps in various clean energy and climate change projects. In 2022, 63 recipients received the grants that represent three sectors in the state: municipal water facilities; non-profit multi-family affordable housing organizations; and agricultural and food-producing nonprofits and small businesses.
“Assisting municipalities, small businesses and nonprofit organizations to proactively work to reduce their energy usage and utilize clean, renewable energy is among our top environmental priorities,” said then-Gov. Charlie Baker. “These Gap Energy Grant Program funds will greatly assist these municipalities and organizations as they work to improve efficiency, reduce energy use, and generate clean energy to produce immediate and long-term energy savings and contribute to the state’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.”
The 63 grants will help fund more than 100 projects that are to be completed by the end of 2024. According to MassDEP, “The projects are anticipated to generate more than 9,000 megawatt hours (MWh) in annual electricity savings or onsite generation of clean energy, sufficient to power more than 250 households and reduce carbon emissions by 3,359 metric tons. Overall, the grantees expect to have an estimated annual savings of up to $1,642,963.”
Chicopee received $200,000 earmarked to replace a total of 16 outdated and inefficient pumps and several new variable frequency drives at the wastewater treatment plant.
Chloe Soto of Chicopee Mayor John Vieau’s staff explained to Reminder Publishing the Gap Energy Grant would augment an American Rescue Plan Act allocation of $2 million to increase the efficiency of the wastewater system.
Easthampton will use its $179,173 to replacing four aging mechanical aerators with new energy efficient aerators equipped with variable frequency drives at its wastewater treatment plant.
Whately will use its $67,567 to install a 20.16 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic system and upgrading lighting components at the Water Department’s pump house.
In Springfield, Home City Development was awarded $200,000 to install a 4.8 kW rooftop solar array and energy efficiency measures that meet Mass Save All Electric Level 2 Program requirements at a 40-unit affordable townhouse condominium development in the city.
“Massachusetts is a national leader in energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy, which the one-of-a-kind Gap Energy Grant Program furthers our collective efforts and delivers beneficial results across the commonwealth,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “These critical grants provide a positive return on investment, not only for the organizations receiving funding, but also for the state, energy utilities, and the public.”
As of press time the representatives of the other grant recipients could not be reached for comment.
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