There are many benefits to becoming a Massachusetts Green Community – cost savings for the municipality and its residents, economic development, environmental and quality of life improvements – but additional funding, even in modest amounts, is always appealing. In addition to the yearly Green Communities grant opportunities, other funding opportunities are being targeted towards Green Communities.
A case in point is the recently announced funding opportunity for pilot electric vehicle charging stations. A $200,000 grant funded through a settlement obtained by Attorney General Martha Coakley and seven other states’ Attorneys General from Ohio-based American Electric Power for pollution control equipment violations at their power plans will be made available to cities and towns interested in installing charging stations for electric vehicles. The grant is expected to support the installation of 80 to 100 electric charging stations in Massachusetts cities and towns. Even more could be installed if private sector partners who might host the charging stations on their property provide matching funds.
This grant opportunity, open through December 17th, 2010, will give preference to Massachusetts Green Communities.
Over time, expect more such opportunities to be available to Green Communities. Since Massachusetts Green Communities have demonstrated their commitment to becoming more sustainable and energy-efficient, they will be most effective at leveraging these opportunities and provide the best return for our investment in these programs.
