Cohasset awarded $16,275 for clean energy project

January 8, 2010

[BOSTON] – Representative Garrett J. Bradley, D-Hingham and Sen. Robert L. Hedlund, R-Weymouth, today announced that the Town of Cohasset has been awarded a grant from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust for a project that furthers the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals.

The Trust is providing the Town of Cohasset with a Clean Energy Choice grant of $16,274.94 to hire a consultant to conduct an acoustic study of the Cohasset Transfer Station.  This study will help the Town determine the feasibility of installing a 600 kW or larger wind turbine at this site.  The Town will use any remaining Clean Energy Choice funds to purchase one or more Big Belly Solar Trash Compaction Systems. These units are powered by solar photovoltaic technology and will help Cohasset reduce trash collections, reduce litter and generally improve the Town’s waste management operations.

“The effect of using renewable energy sources is cumulative over time.  The overall goal is to reduce energy costs to consumers while reducing the need for fossil fuels.  I commend the Town of Cohasset for their efforts to explore cleaner sources of energy,” said Rep. Bradley.

 “Reducing greenhouse gases is a worldwide problem that everyone and every community must play a role in solving,” Sen. Hedlund said.

The funding comes as a result of efforts by citizens of Cohasset to purchase clean energy through their electric utility bills, which generated matching funds from the Trust for use toward clean energy projects. From October 2004 through June 2009, Clean Energy Choice provided matching grants in proportion to voluntary contributions for renewable energy made by Cohasset residents.

Dozens of other communities are also using this matching funding for projects such as solar electric arrays, solar trash compactors, renewable energy educational materials, and other renewable energy projects and related materials.

“These communities are green leaders; it’s wonderful that they are implementing clean energy projects that their residents, businesses, and public officials can see in practice,” said Trust Executive Director Carter Wall. “The Trust is proud to support these communities, and we hope that these projects will help generate ideas for other renewable energy endeavors.”

“We commend these communities, and encourage all Massachusetts towns and cities to look into becoming Green Communities under the Green Communities Act of 2008,” said Phil Giudice, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). “With assistance from the state, communities can learn about and implement energy solutions, including energy efficiency measures and renewable energy projects.”

Learn more about clean energy assistance available for Massachusetts towns and cities by visiting DOER’s Green Communities website: www.mass.gov/doer.

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