Wellfleet has joined 123 cities and towns from all regions of the state, ranging in population from 393 to 617,594 residents, that are now designated as Commonwealth “Green Communities.” As energy leaders in Massachusetts, Green Communities are eligible for state grants. More than $28 million from those Green Community grants is already at work in 110 communities, with more than $2 million in additional grants for energy projects in the newest 13 designated communities now pending.
Wellfleet met all the qualification criteria
- Adopted as-of-right siting, in designated locations, for RE/AE generation, or RE/AE R&D, or RE/AE manufacturing
- Adopted expedited (12 month) application/permitting process
- Established an energy use baseline with a plan to reduce baseline by 20% in 5 years
- Adopted a Policy to purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles
- Required all new residential construction >3000 ft2, and new commercial and industrial real estate construction to minimize life-cycle energy costs (Adopt Stretch Code)
Criteria 3 was adopted last summer and we formally applied to the DOER for Green Community designation. This is based on successful completion and adoption of:
Criteria 1 – As of right siting of a large scale renewable energy facility. Adopted ATM 2013 as Zoning Bylaw
Criteria 2 – Expedited permitting of Criteria 1. Adopted ATM 2013 as Zoning Bylaw
Criteria 3 – Wellfleet Energy Reduction Plan. Anticipated adoption at BoS meeting of 9/30/14
Criteria 4 – Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy. Adopted at BoS meeting of 8/5/2014
Criteria 5 – Adoption of the Stretch Energy Code. Adopted at ATM 2014 as Article XVI of the General Bylaws.