Clean Energy Choice matching funds program ends June 30, 2009

Solar panels on the Milne Library in Williamstown.

The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust's Clean Energy Choice (CEC) matching funds program drew to a close on June 30, 2009.

Under Clean Energy Choice, residents and businesses generated matching funds for a renewable energy project in their community when they chose a clean energy option such as New England GreenStart, available to customers with a National Grid utility bill, or by joining the New England Wind Fund, an off-the bill option available statewide.

Shutesbury Elementary School: The school chose a solar installation for their roof that can be seen by passing students and parents.

Each New England GreenStart monthly premium and every New England Wind Fund donation was matched by Clean Energy Choice funding to create a pool of funds to be spent either on education about renewable energy or to install renewable energy projects on municipal buildings, such as solar panels on a school or library. Towns also earned bonus funds as target levels of enrollment were attained.

CET had the pleasure of working with over 25 towns across western Massachusetts to increase support for clean energy and help towns earn funding for renewable energy projects. Over $500,000 was earned in the four western counties since the program began in 2004.

The small town of Wendell earned solar panels for Wendell Free Library.

Residents and businesses will continue to have the option to voluntarily support clean energy and bring the associated environmental, economic, and societal benefits to New England. Effective July 1, 2009 contributions to both New England GreenStart and New England Wind Fund will be 100% tax-deductible through Mass Energy Consumers Alliance.

Towns that earned funding should begin the process of choosing a project to purchase with their grant. Funding can be used for a wide variety of projects, from educational materials to a solar project for a municipal building (see list, below). The final balance of towns' funds is scheduled to be posted August 1, 2009.

Mayor Clare Higgins poses with CET staff and other guests during the solar installation on Northampton's JFK Middle School.

Please consult the MTC for directions on how to spend the balance of your funds, and a downloadable agreement form. Towns need to decide on a project and submit an agreement form for their funding between August 1 and November 30, 2009.

Once your agreement has been received, you will receive an award letter and a check for the balance of your funds. Processing applications and issuing award letters and checks may take up to two months. You will have 12 months from the date you receive your award letter to spend the funds on the projects(s) outlined in your application. Towns' final grant agreement will require a signature from your Mayor or Chairman of your Select Board.

Please consult the MTC for a list of the ways you can spend your CEC funds, ranging from educational materials for a school or library, to solar lighting in a park, to a photovoltaic installation on a school or library.

Please let us know if CET's Climate Circuit Riders can help you make decisions about the options available to your community. We would be happy to meet with your select board or energy/climate action committee to explain the options and the process for requesting your CEC funding. For assistance, Berkshire towns, are invited to contact Nancy Nylen. Pioneer Valley towns, please contact Peggy MacLeod.

Clean Energy Choice eligible purchases include:

• Educational Materials: Renewable Energy Books or Science Kits for School Labs.
• Membership Fees: For a municipality to join an organization that assists municipalities with climate change action plans and sustainable practices, such as ICLEI/Cities for Climate Protection and the Massachusetts Climate Action Network.
• Solar Powered Trash Compactors: Meant to replace traditional outdoor trash containers, a solar powered trash compactor automatically compresses trash to reduce the number of collection trips and eliminate trash overflow.
• Solar Powered Lighting System: Illuminate a monument, flagpole, or small sitting area with a solar lighting system and introduce the community to clean, renewable solar electricity.
• Public Outreach Materials, Events, and Fairs: Grants can be used for printing flyers and brochures or other costs associated with putting on outreach events such as clean energy/sustainability fairs and community campaigns.
• Teacher Training and School-Related Events: Grants can cover the cost of books, publications, field trips and other educational materials that help teachers implement clean energy related curricula. Organizations offering educational programs and materials include CET, NESEA, and the Hitchcock Center for the Environment.
• Photovoltaic (PV) Installation: Your town can supplement your Clean Energy Choice (CEC) funds with the Renewable Energy Trust’s Commonwealth Solar program rebates to install a PV installation. Using funds from both of these programs, a number of towns have covered 100% of the cost of PV installations. For example, if your community has earned $13,000 in CEC funds and you apply for a Commonwealth Solar rebate, you should be able to cover the cost of a PV system with a capacity of approximately 2 KW. These two programs can be used together. In addition, you may use your CEC funds to hire an engineer to develop the bid specifications for such systems.