EXCERPT FROM: Canton Journal
Canton — Canton has received a $150,000 award to convert the Rodman Preschool’s heating system from steam to energy-saving hot water, under a special round of federal stimulus funding announced by Governor Deval Patrick.
The project allows Canton to convert the Rodman Preschool and Administration Building heating system from steam to hot water, as part of a larger $1.5 million energy savings performance contract.
A total of 111 communities across Massachusetts received funding for local projects under the federal stimulus, which brings $13 million in grants to Massachusetts communities with populations of 35,000 and under. The grants are designed to help cities and towns invest in clean energy and energy efficiency projects – reducing long-term energy costs, increasing energy independence and creating jobs.
“These grants represent critical assistance for municipalities trying to invest in alternative energy projects,” said Marc Draisen, executive director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council in Boston. “The types of projects funded under these stimulus grants will help cities and towns create jobs while realizing substantial cost savings and increased energy efficiency.”
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in Boston, working with the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management at UMass Boston, helped many cities and towns prepare grant applications for this stimulus funding.
Of the 111 communities, 97 will receive $12.2 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) from the U.S. Department of Energy Resources (DOER), while 35 communities – including some of the 97 receiving grants – will share $825,000 in consulting services to provide local officials with energy project expertise.
MAPC assisted Canton in preparing applications for these federal grants.
The Collins Center is part of the McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies, and MAPC is a regional planning agency serving Greater Boston. Both are working in conjunction with the Massachusetts Recovery and Reinvestment Office.