Green Communities

GREEN COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM

Green Communities Program Logo

In 2013, the City of Framingham was designated by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) as one of the Commonwealth’s Green Communities. This designation recognizes the City’s commitment to becoming more sustainable and its fulfillment of five important program criteria:

  • Adopt As-of-right Siting for Renewable Energy
  • Implement Expedited Permitting of Renewable Energy Generating Facilities
  • Create an Energy Reduction Plan to Reduce Municipal Energy Consumption
  • Purchase Only Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
  • Adopt the Stretch Energy Code

Utilizing funding from the Green Communities Program, the Capital Projects and Facilities Management Division has completed a variety of energy conservation measures across municipal facilities including the Main Library, the Callahan Senior Center, Police Department Headquarters, and Fire Department Headquarters.

Installed measures include LED lighting, rooftop unit and chiller replacements, as well as HVAC renovations encompassing boiler replacements and building automation system (BAS) upgrades.

2022 GREEN COMMUNITIES COMPETITIVE GRANT

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The City was awarded $53,050 to support the implementation of two heat pump systems to replace existing HVAC equipment serving the Blumer Community Room and Conference Rooms as well as the Ablondi Meeting Room. In addition to improve heating and cooling performance for these spaces, the new heat pumps will help facilitate long-term plans to transition away from the building's aging natural gas steam system.

2021 GREEN COMMUNITIES COMPETITIVE GRANT

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The City of Framingham was awarded $90,318 from the Department of Energy Resources for mechanical steam trap replacement, insulation of steam pipe, rooftop unit improvements and occupancy control installation, as well as VFD installation. Affected facilities included the Memorial Building, Police Department Headquarters, and the Cameron Middle School.

2020 GREEN COMMUNITIES COMPETITIVE GRANT

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In partnership with Capital Projects and Facilities Management, the Framingham Public Schools have utilized $200,000 of 2020 Green Communities Grant funding to implement refrigeration upgrades, steam system improvements, and HVAC upgrades. More information can be found here.

2019 GREEN COMMUNITIES COMPETITIVE GRANT

The City of Framingham was recently awarded a $222,018 Green Communities Competitive Grant to fund a variety of energy conservation measures across 18 municipal facilities including an HVAC system renovation, implementation of energy management systems, LED retrofits, HVAC insulation, and improvements to the efficiency of air handler units.

2018 GREEN COMMUNITIES COMPETITIVE GRANT

With its 2018 Green Communities Competitive Grant, the City of Framingham was awarded $100,000 for the implementation of new boilers, water heater, pumps, and building automation system (BAS) at the Fire Station Headquarters. In addition to saving a projected, 296 million British Thermal Units (MMBtus), $4,388 per year, and 17 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the new equipment will provide enhanced system operation and reliability.

PRIOR GREEN COMMUNITIES PROJECTS

  1. 2013
  2. 2016

2013 Green Communities Designation Grant

Designated as a Green Community on December 18, 2013, the City of Framingham utilized its Green Communities Designation Grant to fund a lighting design study and subsequent LED conversion project at the Main Library. In addition to the improved quality of lighting in the facility, the LEDs have helped reduce electricity use at the facility.

Main Library Office Space