Lowell City Hall (photo courtesy Henry Marte)
(cover photo by Henry Marte)
Lowell – The City of Lowell has been awarded $220,102 in funding for the Green Communities Competitive Grant Program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). This grant will support ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency and sustainability across municipal properties through essential weatherization projects.
The funding will be utilized to upgrade and weatherize various City-owned buildings, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These upgrades will result in improved insulation, air sealing, and other energy-saving measures that contribute to the City’s long-term sustainability goals. The grant supports Lowell’s continued commitment to reducing energy consumption and creating a more environmentally friendly community.
Lowell Sustainability Director Katherine Moses expressed gratitude to DOER for their support.
“The weatherization and building envelope work funded by DOER’s Green Communities Competitive grant will allow us to improve the energy efficiency and occupancy comfort at seven of our facilities, while saving the municipality around $21,000 in utility costs next year,” said Ms. Moses. “We are grateful for DOER’s support in helping Lowell continue to lead by example in our energy and emissions reduction efforts.”
Lowell City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr., praised the City’s Sustainability Director and her team for their dedication and hard work.
“I want to extend by gratitude to Ms. Moses and her team for their tireless efforts in advancing our City’s sustainability initiatives,” said Mr. Golden. “Their work is at the heart of this success, and their commitment to making Lowell a leader in energy efficiency continues to benefit our entire community.”
The Green Communities Competitive Grant Program supports municipal projects that improve energy efficiency and advance clean energy initiatives across Massachusetts. The competitive grant is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to help communities meet their energy goals while promoting environmental stewardship.
DOER staff selected applications to fund based on several factors, including energy impacts, emissions reductions, utility incentives, reasonable budgets, and the efficacy of measures in terms of energy savings per DOER investment.
The program also considered previous grant awards and looked favorably on projects that demonstrate innovation and alignment with the Commonwealth’s clean energy priorities.
