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Eight projects will boost resilience and clean energy benefits statewide
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced more than $8 million in funding for eight projects that will strengthen Massachusetts’ electric grid, reduce costly outages, and better protect residents from the impacts of extreme weather. The awards, delivered through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) Grants for Enhancing Grid Resilience and Reliability Program, will modernize local electricity infrastructure, supporting the adoption of clean energy, building electrification, and economic growth. The program was designed in partnership with the state’s Department of Energy Resources (DOER).
By upgrading critical systems, the projects will not only reduce the frequency and duration of outages but also create jobs and lower long-term energy costs for residents and businesses across the state. Supported by federal resources under Section 40101(d) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this program underscores Massachusetts’ commitment to a cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable energy future.
“These projects will ensure that families can keep the lights and heat on during storms, give businesses the security to grow, and make sure our transition to clean energy is built on a foundation of reliability,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “This is about making our communities safer and stronger, while ensuring every Massachusetts resident shares in the benefits of a modernized grid.”
“Massachusetts is proving that we can deliver energy resilience and innovation all at once,” said Dr. Jennifer Le Blond, Interim CEO of MassCEC. “These awards are more than an infrastructure investment—they are about protecting people, supporting economic opportunity, and ensuring our grid is ready for the future.”
“Resilient towns mean a stronger Commonwealth,” said Commissioner Mahony. “These awards will help cities and towns upgrade their local grids, protect residents from disruptive outages, and create new opportunities for workers in the clean energy economy.”
As Massachusetts continues to electrify buildings, transportation, and industries, the state’s grid faces new pressures. This funding aims to help utilities, municipalities, and local partners meet these challenges head-on.
The first round of awardees are:
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Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department awarded $2,867,044 to develop a comprehensive microgrid at Northeast Metro Tech and Wakefield Memorial high schools.
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University of Massachusetts Amherst awarded $1,665,000 to upgrade its campus microgrid by installing automatic transfer switches at five buildings and protective relay upgrades at 45 locations, and by constructing a duct bank
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Marblehead Municipal Light Department awarded $1,328,253 to replace wood poles with stronger composite materials as well as to underground an 1800-foot section of vulnerable distribution line.
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Paxton Municipal Light Department awarded $1,180,039 to replace and upgrade a substation transformer.
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Holyoke Gas and Electric awarded $460,000 to replace 1.5 miles of overhead spacer cable in their service territory.
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Templeton Light and Water Department awarded $397,281 to reconductor and reconstruct a single-phase line and replace an aging transformer at an assisted living facility.
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Littleton Electric Light Department awarded $285,522 to install Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR) reclosers on part of their distribution system.
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Chester Municipal Light Department awarded $30,000 to manage vegetation along one of its power lines.
For more information on the Grants for Enhancing Grid Resilience and Reliability Program, visit https://www.masscec.com/grants-enhancing-ma-grid-resilience-reliability.
About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, increase affordability, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts. Since 2010, MassCEC has awarded nearly $800 million in programs and investments and attracted more than $2.8 billion in private and public funds.
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