Friday, March 25, 2011

Massachusetts Announces Recovery-Funded Projects at Massasoit Community College and with RD Matthews Construction Company, Inc.

(Below is a press release issued on March 24, 2011 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs)

Patrick-Murray Administration Celebrates 78 Stimulus-Funded Clean Energy Projects in Southeastern Massachusetts

Marking the two-year anniversary of the federal Recovery Act, Brockton event highlights energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in 41 cities and towns

BROCKTON - The Patrick-Murray Administration today marked the two-year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) by highlighting investments of nearly $10 million in 78 clean energy projects in cities and towns throughout southeastern Massachusetts. The Administration's investments in the region are financing projects that have employed over 200 people and are expected to yield approximately 8.4 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy capacity, saving enough energy to power and heat more than 1,300 homes.


Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. today joined state, federal and local officials at Massasoit Community College to celebrate the projects, which are among more than 300 clean energy initiatives across Massachusetts financed through nearly $70 million in ARRA funds since the program took effect in February 2009. Massasoit Community College received $925,700 for a 300 kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system.

View a full list of Recovery-funded projects in Southeastern Massachusetts.

"The Patrick-Murray Administration's strategic and innovative investment of Recovery Act dollars in diverse projects across the region has helped make Massachusetts a national clean energy leader," said Secretary Sullivan. "From solar panels at a Mass Audubon sanctuary on Martha’s Vineyard, and a wind turbine at UMass Dartmouth, to energy efficiency projects in schools, police stations, municipal buildings and private businesses, southeastern Massachusetts is fully engaged in a clean energy future."
Recovery Act projects in the region are also leveraging additional public and private clean energy investments of $106.5 million.


"The results of the Recovery Act effort here in Massachusetts are impressive," said Jeffrey A. Simon, Director of the Massachusetts Recovery and Reinvestment Office. "Nearly every part of state government has been involved. We’ve invested in education, in broadband access, alternative energy, water and wastewater plants. Housing projects that will be home to over 63,000 have been funded and 95 road and bridge projects are either complete or underway. Most importantly, 70,000 people in Massachusetts have received a Recovery Act-funded paycheck over the last two years. It should come as no surprise that Massachusetts is leading the country out of the recession."

"Real investments like those we’ve seen develop in the past two years in southeastern Massachusetts will help us harness our $6 trillion energy economy and create the clean energy technology jobs of tomorrow that will put people to work and keep our state on the cutting edge," said U.S. Senator John Kerry.

"The Patrick-Murray Administration has made using these ARRA funds for clean energy a high priority, and I commend them for it," Rep. McGovern said.  "Southeastern Massachusetts has tremendous potential for continued growth, and clean energy should be a part of that future," said Congressman James McGovern.

"The Recovery funds invested in clean energy initiatives have been a huge win for the 10th Congressional District," said Rep. William Keating. "Half of the projects are in our district, and the $3.9 million dollars we received for them translates into jobs and a boost to our local economy. More importantly, the benefits of clean energy technology are not limited to the local level. These investments move us forward as a country by keeping us competitive in the global marketplace and reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources."

"From Canton to Wellfleet and in over three dozen cities and towns in between, the Patrick-Murray Administration’s investment of federal Recovery dollars is revitalizing the regional economy with cutting-edge energy projects that save companies and taxpayers money and improve the environment of southeastern Massachusetts," said Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia.

"In 2007, I signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment and, as such, have made a commitment to reducing the college’s carbon footprint," said Massasoit Community College President Dr. Charles Wall. "Massasoit Community College is very excited about having five of its buildings on the Brockton campus equipped with solar photovoltaics."

Statewide since 2009, DOER has invested ARRA funds through a number of programs that support the Patrick-Murray Administration's goals for a clean energy future. These programs include High Performance Buildings ($16.2 million) to demonstrate innovative solutions for long-standing challenges to substantial improvement of energy performance in various building types; Solar Stimulus ($17 million awarded through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and DOER) to create 16 MW of additional solar capacity across the Commonwealth; and Leading by Example ($14.55 million) to enable savings of tens of millions of dollars in annual energy savings across state-owned facilities – including expected savings of up to 15 percent through an Enterprise Energy Management System that helps state facilities managers identify energy-saving operational improvements through real-time energy monitoring.

DOER also awarded $14.7 million in ARRA funds to Massachusetts cities and towns through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants program, including $12.2 million for clean energy and energy savings projects, energy code training, technical assistance for implementing projects, and development and implementation of a web-based tool for cities and towns to track their energy consumption.

"It is always welcome news to any legislator when one hears of public investments in their district. It is especially pleasing to know that these funds will help advance the Commonwealth’s clean energy policies in academic and business settings," Sen. Thomas Kennedy.

"I am absolutely thrilled to see so many wonderful clean energy projects being funded in Southeast Massachusetts,” said Rep. Christine E. Canavan. “Massachusetts continues to put its best foot forward in the use of clean energy and I look forward to our continued work in furthering our progress."

"I am grateful that Massasoit is a recipient of this grant to promote green technology. It represents a major step forward in the use of environmentally sound initiatives. I thank Secretary Rick Sullivan, Undersecretary Phil Guidice, Commissioner Mark Sylvia and all others who have made this possible, and I look forward to working with you again as we continue to improve our community colleges," said Rep. Michael D. Brady.
"It is important to focus on green and sustainable development, and I’m glad to see that our Commonwealth is making these types of projects a priority by helping Brockton become a leader in clean energy development," said Mayor Linda M. Balzotti.

Investment in clean energy is a critical component of Governor Patrick's Massachusetts Recovery Plan, which combines state, federal and, where possible, private efforts to provide immediate and long-term relief and position the Commonwealth for recovery in the following ways:
  • Deliver immediate relief by investing in the road, bridge and rail projects that put people to work today and providing safety net services that sustain people who are especially vulnerable during an economic crisis;
  • Build a better tomorrow through education and infrastructure investments that strengthen our economic competitiveness, prepare workers for the jobs of the future, and support clean energy, broadband, and technology projects that cut costs while growing the economy; and
  • Reform state government by eliminating the pension and ethics loopholes that discredit the work of government and revitalize the transportation networks that have suffered from decades of neglect and inaction.
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1 comment:

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