Green Communities

The Green Community Designation and Grant Program provides a road map along with financial and technical support to municipalities that 1) pledge to cut municipal energy use by an ambitious and achievable goal of 20 percent over 5 years and 2) meet four other criteria established in the Green Communities Act. Wakefield is a designated Green Community. See the criteria required to become a Green Community.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the benefits to being a green community include:

  • Cutting municipal energy costs and strengthening the local economies
  • Accessing grants for clean affordable and resilient energy projects; economic development benefits for the city or town and the Commonwealth
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • Promoting energy-efficient building construction that drives the market for better built and lower cost homes
  • Fostering renewable energy and clean energy technologies
  • Becoming a clean energy leader and a better place to live, work, and play

The Green Communities Division (GCD) of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources provides grants, technical assistance, and local support from Regional Coordinators to help municipalities reduce energy use and costs by implementing clean energy projects in municipal buildings, facilities, and schools. Read more about the State's GCD.