Green Community Swampscott to Receive $143,800 Grant and Recognition Today

Massachusetts energy officials will recognize Swampscott and two other Bay State municipalities today for receiving Green Community grants.

On March 21, Swampscott was awarded $143,800 to finance projects that reduce municipal energy costs, according to the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

These kinds of projects include installation of windows that use less energy or replacing lights with more efficient lighting.

The high school is in the midst of  installing an energy efficient generator.

Swampscott, Gloucester and Newburyport were among 18 communities in Massachusetts chosen in December to share $3.6 million in Green Communities grants.

In a letter to Swampscott Town Administrator Andrew Maylor in December, the Department of Energy Resources wrote: “(The)  Town of Swampscott is now an energy leader in Massachusetts, poised to reduce its energy costs, improve the local environment and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with funding through the Green Communities Grant Program.”

The grant money comes from proceeds from carbon allowance auctions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, according to the energy office.

Today’s ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Gloucester City Hall.

Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. and Department of Energy Resources  Commissioner Mark Sylvia will congratulate municipal officials and local legislators.

Swampscott Town Meeting voters approved four zoning articles in October to support Swampscott's application to become a Green Community, according to the town Renewable Energy Committee.