Sponsors of Mass Save Grant to Support Energy Efficiency Education

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BOSTON — The Sponsors of Mass Save announced that applications are now open for the fourth round of the Mass Save Community Education Grant, an initiative that serves to increase access to and awareness of energy efficiency programs through educational and culturally relevant opportunities for residents in Environmental Justice Communities (EJCs).

This continued effort by the Sponsors aims to equitably reduce carbon footprints across communities and help the commonwealth reach its net zero goals.?? 

For one year, all grant applicants must participate in an annual program progress evaluation and carry out a number of activities, which include collaborating with participating Mass Save Sponsors and creating initiatives to help engage residents in energy efficiency education and programs. While the application is open to all organizations that meet eligibility requirements, priority will be given to EJCs with a particular focus on renters, landlords, English isolated customers, K-12 student organizations and income-eligible individuals. 

Selected grant recipients may receive:? 

  • Funding that can range from $5,000 to $25,000 per year depending on project proposals (awarded in two cycles) to support project costs 
  • Mass Save branded collateral to assist in marketing efforts of the grantee 
  • Assistance planning local events 
  • Pre-recorded training sessions by content experts on energy efficiency offerings and best practices 
  • Access to a utility company account manager to maximize energy efficiency opportunities in municipal buildings 

Since 2022, the Mass Save Community Education Grant has delivered more than $1M in funding statewide to 48 recipients. A critical component of the upcoming 2025-2027 Three-Year Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Plan, the Sponsors will continue to provide this funding opportunity twice a year for community-based organizations, helping to bring energy efficiency awareness and education to residents in EJCs.  

To apply for the grant, visit the online application on MassSave.com. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15, 2024. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the informational session on Nov. 6, 2024 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.?To register for the webinar, reach out to Kaira Fox at kaira.fox@eversource.com

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Pittsfield BOH Condemns Two Homes

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two more Pittsfield homes have been condemned.

The Board of Health voted Wednesday to condemn 86 John St. and 224 Fourth St. It came with a pang of sadness about demolishing homes during a housing crisis and a conversation about prevention.

"I would think many years ago this property had flowers in front of it," Chair Roberta Elliott said about the John Street home. "It was not like this."

Another member said it feels like capital punishment to the properties.

Both homes have no owner or heir who wants to take responsibility for them. The city has 43 open condemnation orders — about 20 residential.

"The condemnation can be as simple as no running water, no electricity," Code Enforcement Office Andrew Gagnon said. "So it is a spectrum of severity."

The four-bedroom John Street property has been sitting since 2018 and the Fourth Street multifamily has been subject to break-ins despite being secured and deemed unsafe by the Fire Department.

"It's unfortunate that so many properties on John Street have had to meet the wrecking ball," Gagnon said.

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