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 |