Massachusetts announces $155 million in renewable energy projects
Massachusetts announces $155 million in renewable energy projects(By Jon Anderson via The Examiner)Massachusetts announces $55 million in Renewable Energy and power projects.
An additional $100 million for private sector Renewable Energy projects
that are shovel ready within 120 days was also announced. Governor Deval
Patrick as part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state's
economic future, awarded nearly $22 million under the Stimulus Bill to
support renewable power and energy efficiency projects at state owned
buildings in Massachusetts. $5.5 million was previously awarded . The $22
million announced last week by Patrick is half of the $55 million
Massachusetts will receive from the U.S. Department of Energy 's State
Energy Program (SEP). Nationwide, the Energy Department's SEP Program, as
it is known, totals $3.1 billion to address state energy priorities. The
Massachusetts SEP plan calls for investing in public solar power and energy
efficiency projects that will create thousands of new jobs while reducing
fossil fuel use and Greenhouse Gases."The Commonwealth is ready to use these funds to put Massachusetts
companies and residents to work on projects that are vital to Governor
Patrick's plan for a clean energy future," said Energy and Environmental
Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles. "In doing so, we will help state agencies
make smarter energy decisions and put Massachusetts on track to quickly
triple the level of solar power currently installed in the state."The Massachusetts State Energy Plan (SEP) consists of three parts: $20
million for a Massachusetts Solar Stimulus program to install photovoltaic
systems at publicly owned facilities such as Logan International Airport,
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, state colleges and universities,
state housing authorities and public facilities such as the Boston
Convention Center; $20 million for a Massachusetts Building Energy
Transformation effort to fund proposals that demonstrate innovative ways to
significantly improve energy performance in public and private buildings in
Massachusetts; and $14.9 million directed to an Energy Efficiency for State
Facilities program that will accelerate a 5 year pipeline of more than $200
million of energy efficiency projects at state facilities and begin them
within 18 months.The Massachusetts Building Energy Transformation effort focuses on
improving energy performance in buildings as a way to build in long-term
reductions in energy use. The state will award funding competitively for
projects that move Massachusetts toward development of zero net energy
buildings, in keeping with recommendations of the Governor's Zero Net
Energy Building Task Force.The Massachusetts Solar Stimulus program will develop at least 16 Megawatts
of new solar power through SEP funding helping the state achieve Governor
Patrick's goal of 250 Megawatts of solar power by 2017. When Patrick took
office Massachusetts had 4 Megawatts of installed solar power. Today
Massachusetts has 11 Megawatts of solar power generation with another 7
Megawatts planned. In addition to the 16 Megawatts planned through the
Stimulus Bill, another 5 Megawatts of solar power is aimed at water
treatment facilities.Clearly, the Obama Stimulus funding is reaching Massachusetts residents and
communities quickly and reducing Greenhouse Gases, energy use, stimulating
the economy, and creating much needed job opportunities across
Massachusetts.For the latest renewable energy jobs across Massachusetts, The U.S. and
globally please click here