Gov. Deval Patrick is seeking proposals for projects that demonstrate dramatic increases in energy efficiency in buildings across the state.
As part of Patrick’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is inviting proposals to use $15 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
The stimulus funding opportunity is open to both public and private entities, including businesses, hospitals, universities, municipalities and community organizations.
DOER’s program opportunity notice seeks proposals for innovative projects offering solutions to long-standing building energy challenges. The Massachusetts High Performance Buildings Grant Program is a key component of the State Energy Program for investment of ARRA funding, which the U.S. Department of Energy approved in July.
The program is intended to pave the way for widespread building energy performance improvements beyond measures provided through existing state- and utility-run efficiency programs. It will demonstrate ways to significantly reduce energy use, as well as substituting clean energy alternatives for fossil fuel, according to the governor’s office.
Successful proposals, which are due to DOER by October 30, must be shown to work throughout Massachusetts in buildings of similar size and type. Proposals must also provide evidence that projects will yield significant economic, energy, and environmental benefits.
"Governor Patrick is committed to making Massachusetts the hub of the 21st century clean energy economy," said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles, whose office oversees DOER. "We look forward to putting these stimulus funds into pilot projects that will demonstrate building energy innovations that cut operating costs, boost the Massachusetts green economy, and reduce our carbon footprint."
DOER Commissioner Phil Giudice added: "Energy efficiency holds tremendous potential to transform our economy nationwide, creating jobs while providing long-term savings for consumers, businesses, and governments. Achieving deeper energy savings in buildings is crucial to making the Commonwealth as energy efficient as it can be."
Awards under this program are expected to range from $500,000 to $5 million each for projects that are ready to begin immediately after the award and can be completed within three years. DOER expects to announce awards in December.
"This is an economically and environmentally smart investment – it encourages energy efficiency and when we save energy, we save money. Companies and organizations across the state have an incentive to come up with aggressive and creative ways to conserve energy so they should waste no time in applying for one of these awards," said U.S. Senator John Kerry.
