Harvard’s Green Community application has been accepted. On Dec. 16, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced that 18 cities and towns, including Harvard, had been named Green Communities and were collectively eligible for $3.6 million in state grants for 2011; $141,200 is available to Harvard. The next step is to submit a grant application by Jan. 21 to receive the funds.
The Department of Energy Resources’ Green Communities grant program provides funding for local energy efficiency and renewable power projects to towns with the “Green Community” designation. To be named Green Communities, towns must first meet five criteria: provide as-of-right siting for renewable energy facilities, create an expedited permit process for the facility’s installation, establish a plan to reduce municipal energy consumption by 20 percent over five years, establish a fuel-efficient vehicle policy, and adopt the “stretch” energy code. The Stretch Code mandates greater energy efficiency than the current state building code when building new residences or commercial establishments.
Since 2009, Harvard’s Energy Advisory Committee (HEAC) has spearheaded the effort to achieve Green Community status. The Board of Selectmen (BOS) and the school committee approved HEAC’s five-year energy reduction plan and vehicle policy in mid-November. At Harvard’s Nov. 9 Special Town Meeting, voters approved the other three criteria—zoning changes to allow a solar panel installation near the town Transfer Station, an expedited permit process for the installation, and the Stretch Code. The Stretch Code proved to be the most controversial aspect of the process, generating much of the discussion at STM.
To receive the funds allocated to Harvard, HEAC must now submit a grant application detailing energy projects that can be started in 2011. HEAC member Eric Broadbent told the Press this week that the committee currently has a list of about a dozen possible projects that they will need to refine before submitting to BOS and the School Committee for approval. The committee will also consult with the Municipal Buildings Committee, he said. The projects under consideration include creating a general energy reduction fund and installing energy monitoring systems for all municipal buildings.
Broadbent said that HEAC was able to put together the application very quickly because they had a lot of help from a large number of townspeople, as well as knowledgeable individuals from other towns. Selectman Tim Clark did a lot of the “footwork,” he said. Broadbent added that a number of people had helped inform Harvard residents about the Green Communities application, including the League of Women Voters, who organized a forum in October.
Thirty-five communities were accepted in the first round of applications in May. Harvard applied for the second deadline, Nov. 19. Green Communities are eligible for grants between $125,000 and $1 million, depending on per capita income and population. Towns also receive a free solar-powered trash compactor and road signs to advertise their new designation.
The other municipalities to acquire the Green Community designation in the second round are Boston, Dedham, Easton, Gardner, Gloucester, Hatfield, Marlborough, Medway, Milton, Newburyport, New Salem, Scituate, Swampscott, Watertown, Wayland, Williamstown, and Winchester. Boston is eligible for a $1 million grant.
