The City of Somerville earned the designation of a "Green Community" and the promise of a $362,175 grant from the Green Communities Division of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources this summer in recognition of the city's efforts to reduce its energy consumption.
The grant money will be spent on local renewable power and energy efficiency projects in order to continue to decrease Somerville's carbon footprint.
Established by the Green Communities Act of 2008, a statute that encourages energy conservation, the division assists municipalities in both limiting their energy use and accessing clean energy sources, according to Director of Green Communities Division Meg Lusardi.
"The Green Communities Division supports all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts on all of their energy issues," Lusardi told the Daily.
The division also maintains the Green Communities Designation and Grant Program, which recognizes various municipalities in the state that aspire to become more energy-efficient by meeting five criteria as defined by the Green Communities Act, according to Lusardi.
"The five criteria are related to zoning for clean and alternative energy sources, having an energy reduction plan, [implementing] policies to purchase energy-efficient vehicles and minimizing life-cycle energy costs in new constructions," Lusardi said.
Communities that wish to be considered for the designation must submit an application to the division to demonstrate their qualifications, she noted.
For Somerville, it took a little over a year to satisfy all of the outlined criteria, according to David Lutes, director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment of Somerville.
"We have been working hard for a number of years to try to stay ahead of the pack in terms of our efforts with respect to energy conservation," Lutes said.
Somerville invested $8 million toward reducing the energy usage of its buildings five years ago, Lutes noted. The city was also active in purchasing hybrids and smart cars in replacement of traditional vehicles.
Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone said the designation is particularly meaningful given the city's history and long-term development.
"While dozens of cities and towns have earned Green Communities status, it is especially important for Somerville given the city's industrial legacy. Part of the amazing transformation of Somerville as a great place to live, work, play and raise a family has been our commitment to green initiatives," Curtatone said in an email to the Daily.
Currently, the state houses 74 "Green Communities," according to Lusardi.
Once they are granted the designation, cities and towns each receive a base grant of $125,000 that must be used to fund different projects intended to assist the communities to uphold their sustainability efforts.
"Everybody receives a base grant of $125,000 and then [an] additional grant is based on population, per capita income, among other factors," Lusardi said.
According to Lusardi, the projects proposed by Somerville are still under review.
The city hopes to execute various projects with its $362,175 grant, Lutes said, including the replacement of its streetlights with LED 3-Lights, reliance on energy-efficient vehicles and reduction of energy consumption at Somerville High School.
Lusardi expects every "Green Community" to submit annual reports on the progress of their projects to ensure their maintenance of the five criteria that initially earned them the title.
"[The Green Communities Division is] going to work with communities to maintain their designation," Lusardi said.
Lutes said the designation will serve as an impetus for the city to continue to work relentlessly toward its goal of conserving energy, a view echoed by Curtatone.
"We are a city that's looking forward in terms of energy conservation and in the creation of new green spaces. The Green Communities designation ratifies the progress we've made toward creating a cleaner environment," Curtatone said.
