MTC - Matching Grants for Communities

Summary

This program has been discontinued. Communities have until January 15, 2010 to request any remaining funds that they have accrued through the June 30, 2009. No new grants will be awarded to match customer premium payments for usage after June 30, 2009. Communities should check here to check for any remaining balances. The Clean Energy Choice program, launched in October 2004, allows Massachusetts electric customers* to pay an additional premium each month to support green power. When consumers choose to support clean energy projects that qualify under the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS), the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) will match those premiums with up to $2.5 million annually in grants. Through matching grants for communities, towns and cities may receive up to one dollar in funding for each dollar residents spend on clean energy. Towns and cities may use this money to fund clean energy projects in their communities. Every three months, the MTC informs each municipal government of the amount of matching funding for which the government is eligible. The local community may either use the funding immediately or allow funding to accrue in the community’s account with the MTC. Communities may pool their funds with neighboring communities for joint projects. Grants may be used to purchase qualifying renewable-energy generating equipment or educational materials, or to conduct qualifying educational activities, building analyses or building improvements. The MTC administers the Renewable Energy Trust (RET) Fund, the state's public benefits fund. The RET Fund supports this grant program. *Because customers of municipal utilities do not pay into the RET, the Clean Energy Choice program does not provide matching grants to these communities. However, when a resident of a municipal utility makes a purchase of any Clean Energy Choice-qualified offering, MTC will provide a matching grant for low-income projects.