Green Community

Designation

Orleans was designated a Green Community by the MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER) on December 27, 2018:

• A Designation Grant in the amount of $134,709 was announced and is eligible to be applied to fund all or a portion of the costs of studying, designing, constructing, and implementing energy efficiency and renewable or alternative energy activities.
• On February 8, 2019, the Town submitted its first application to fund eligible projects totaling $44,356.25 of its Designation Grant award including energy-efficient LED lighting upgrades at various locations, heating and cooling upgrades along with the purchase of the Town's first hybrid vehicle to replace an existing gasoline-fueled sedan.

Criteria

Certified Green Communities meet these five program criteria:

• Provide as-of-right siting in designated locations for renewable/alternative energy generation, research, and development, or manufacturing facilities
• Adopt an expedited application and permit process for as-of-right energy facilities
• Establish an energy use baseline and develop a plan to reduce energy use by 20% within five years
• Purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles
• Adopt the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) Stretch Code

For more information on the Green Communities program, please visit the Becoming a Designated Green Community webpage.