Polito,Town and State Officials in Winthrop to Fund Clean Energy Grants

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito joined Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton, Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and other state and local officials from 80 municipalities who came to Winthrop last Friday afternoon to award Green Communities Competitive Grants to fund clean energy projects at municipal and school facilities.

Gathering at the DeLeo Senior Center, the Baker-Polito administration awarded $14,798,596 in Green Communities competitive grants to 80 communities who have earned the Green Communities designation.

“Green Communities are champions for clean energy practices across Massachusetts and should be commended for their efforts to reduce energy use and costs,” Polito said.

For its grant Winthrop was awarded $247,554 for lighting around the police station, library and the senior center.

“These grants represent another milestone for both the communities and the Commonwealth as we continue to collaborate to meet our shared energy goals,” said Judson.

Funding for these grants is made available through the proceeds from Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP) paid by the retail electric suppliers that do not meet their Renewable Portfolio Standard compliance obligations through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates.

“By supporting communities across the Commonwealth to adopt clean energy technologies we strengthen our resiliency, cut municipal operating costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, “ said DeLeo.

State Sen. Boncore was not able to attend the event said Winthrop’s commitment to clean energy shows in the awarding of the grant.

This is at least the third time Polito has visited Winthrop in her official capacity, she visited during one of the winter storm flooding events and came another time to award grants.