MassCEC Awards $52.5 Million to Upgrade Public School Buildings, Lower Costs

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Funding through the Green School Works program will create cleaner, healthier learning environments in 18 Massachusetts schools

BOSTON – Today, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) awarded over $52 million in grants to help upgrade public school facilities through the Green School Works program. Funded through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the program aims to make K–12 public school buildings more energy-efficient, lower costs for school districts, reduce pollution, and create safer and healthier learning environments for students and educators. 

“Investing in clean energy to modernize our schools is one of the smartest steps we can take to create healthier, safer learning environments for our students and educators,” said Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “By improving energy efficiency, we lower costs, reduce harmful pollution, and free up valuable resources to support teachers and educational programs. This is an investment in our buildings, the future of our communities, and the well-being of the next generation.” 

“Schools are central gathering points to support vibrant and healthy communities,” said MassCEC CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “That’s why we’re helping cities and towns modernize their buildings to include cleaner, more reliable energy systems, reducing air pollution and increasing comfort in our learning environments statewide. The Green School Works Program puts students' and teachers' health first and sets municipalities on a long-term path to more affordable facility operations.”

The program will fund 18 projects across Massachusetts to modernize energy systems while investing in the well-being of communities. Each project benefits student populations where at least 40 percent of the students come from low-income backgrounds, with many of them located in environmental justice communities that have historically lacked access to building upgrades and infrastructure investment. 

“The Green School Works funding is going to 18 schools across Massachusetts, from North Adams to Barnstable, highlighting our commitment to supporting public school districts with the tools they need to create safe, healthy, and high-quality learning environments for students and educators. At a time when the federal government is trying to cut education funding for heat pumps and ventilation, I am proud that Massachusetts is investing in programs like this,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.

The following projects were selected for funding under the Green School Works program:

  • Alfred Glickman Elementary School (Springfield Public Schools) - $5,000,000
    • Springfield Public Schools will use funding to install air source heat pumps and ventilation upgrades at Alfred Glickman Elementary School, serving PreK through 5th grades.
  • Barnstable United Elementary School (Barnstable Public Schools) - $2,732,994
    • Barnstable Public Schools will use funding to install heat pumps at Barnstable United Elementary School, serving kindergarten through 5th grades.
  • Excel Academy Charter High School (Excel Academy Charter) - $173,841
    • Excel Academy Charter will use funding to double their rooftop solar capacity at Excel Academy Charter High School, which serves grades 9th through 12th.  
  • Greylock Elementary School (North Adams Public Schools) - $300,000
    • North Adams Public Schools will use funding to help cover the cost difference between ground-source heat pumps and conventional HVAC at their newly built Greylock Elementary School, serving PreK through 2nd grades.
  • Horace Mann Laboratory School (Salem Public Schools) - $5,000,000
    • Salem Public Schools will use funding to install air source heat pumps and ventilation at the Horace Mann Laboratory School, serving grades kindergarten through 5th.
  • Jeanne D’Arc School (Lowell Public Schools) - $5,000,000
    • Lowell Public Schools will use funding to install air source heat pumps and complete weatherization and energy efficiency work at the recently purchased Jeanne D'Arc School, which will serve students with autism in grades PreK through 12th. 
  • Lt. Elmer J McMahon Elementary (Holyoke Public Schools) - $3,969,000
    • Holyoke Public Schools will use funds to install air source heat pumps at Lt. Elmer J McMahon Elementary School, serving grades Pre-K through 5th.
  • Lynn Vocational Technical Institute (Lynn Public Schools) - $4,883,200
    • Lynn Public Schools will use funds for heat pump water heaters, electric service upgrades, and distribution service upgrades at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, serving grades 9th through 12th.
  • Otis Elementary School (Boston Public Schools) - $1,519,383
    • Boston Public Schools will use funds to install air source heat pumps and ventilation upgrades at the Otis Elementary School, serving grades kindergarten through 5th.
  • Plouffe Middle School (Brockton Public Schools) - $4,030,494
    • Brockton Public Schools will use funds to install air source heat pumps and a building management system at the Plouffe Middle School, serving grades 6th through 8th.
  • Ralph C. Mahar Regional School (Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District) - $524,000
    • The Ralph C Mahar Regional School District will use funds to install air source heat pumps, ventilation system upgrades, and heat pump water heaters at the Ralph C Mahar Regional School, serving grades 7th through 12th.
  • Reingold Elementary School (Fitchburg Public Schools) - $2,850,000
    • Fitchburg Public Schools will use funds to install air source heat pumps, ventilation upgrades, and electric system upgrades at Reingold Elementary School, serving grades 1st through 5th.
  • Richard L. Wilkins Elementary School (Stoughton Public Schools) - $2,709,820
    • Stoughton Public Schools will use funds to install air source heat pumps, a heat pump water heater, electrical service upgrades, and a building management system at the Richard L. Wilkins Elementary School, serving grades Pre-K through 5th.
  • Samoset Middle School (Leominster Public Schools) - $729,133
    • Leominster Public Schools will use funds to install air source heat pumps, ventilation upgrades, building management system, and weatherization at Samoset Middle School, serving grades 6th through 8th.
  • Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School (Northampton-Smith Vocational Agricultural) - $668,820
    • Northampton-Smith Vocational Agricultural will use funds to install heat pump water heaters at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, serving grades 9th through 12th.
  • Snug Harbor Elementary School (Quincy Public Schools) - $4,500,000
    • Quincy Public Schools will use funds to install air source heat pumps, ventilation upgrades, electric service upgrades, a building management system, and LED lighting at Snug Harbor Elementary School, serving grades Pre-K through 5th.
  • William S. Greene Elementary School (Fall River Public Schools) - $2,090,315
    • Fall River Public Schools will use funds to install air source heat pumps and a building management system at William S. Greene Elementary School, serving grades Pre-K through 5th.
  • 95 G Street Building (Boston Public Schools) - $5,000,000
    • Boston Public Schools will use funds to install air source heat pumps, ventilation upgrades, a building management system, electric service upgrades, and air filtration at the 95 G Street building, which will be home to a Boston Public Schools high school.

For more information on the Green School Works program, visit masscec.comprogram/green-school-works-implementation-grants.

Statements of Support

“The House is proud to have created the Green School Works program with revenue from the Fair Share surtax, which will allow public schools to make much needed clean energy upgrades,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “During my 12 years as a teacher in the Quincy Public Schools, I saw up close how a clean and healthy environment can lead to better learning outcomes. I’m particularly proud of the fact that Snug Harbor in Quincy, where I taught for a few years, will be receiving funds to make critical infrastructure upgrades. I’d like to thank the MassCEC for administering this program, which will ensure that our public schools are healthy environments for our students and for our educators.”

 “Massachusetts students in every region deserve to learn in safe, healthy, and energy-efficient classrooms. These investments will improve air quality, reduce emissions, and help schools lower their energy costs and redirect savings to where they’re needed most: teaching and learning," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "I’m grateful to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for leading the way in climate innovation and delivering funds to these districts that need them."

“These critical grants from the Green School Works program will allow numerous school districts across the Commonwealth to sustainably improve their infrastructure while driving climate progress for the community as a whole,” said State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). “I want to thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for their work and dedication to ensuring these grants became a reality. I look forward to working with them and my colleagues in the Legislature to continue the great work of this program.”

"I’m thrilled the William S. Greene Elementary School in my district in Fall River qualified for a $2.1 million grant, funded through the Green School Works program. The Healey-Driscoll Administration, in partnership with the Legislature, awarded over $52 million to 18 public school buildings to modernize and make clean energy upgrades that will support a cleaner and healthier learning environment,” said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means (D-Westport). “The Greene School will receive a new air source and building management system. These smart energy-efficient upgrades reaffirm the Commonwealth’s strong commitment to educational excellence.”

"I thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration for awarding Green School Works grants, which will bring clean energy benefits to 18 schools with vulnerable student populations," said State Representative Mark J. Cusack, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (D-Braintree). "The Legislature stands as a proud partner in this initiative, having committed $70 million since the program's start."

“To continue pushing towards net zero emissions in Massachusetts, the Legislature funds the Green School Works grant program to assist schools and municipalities with the high cost of transitioning to cleaner, energy-efficient infrastructure,” said State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of Joint Committee on Education (D-Winchester). “These grants are a powerful tool to support lower-income and Environmental Justice communities that have historically lacked this investment.”

“The Green School Works program not only supports our environment, but also ensures that students learn in cleaner, healthier spaces," said State Representative Kenneth Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education (D-Bedford). "I’m proud to see the Commonwealth prioritize our schools—especially those in low-income and Environmental Justice communities—as part of its clean energy commitment.” 

About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

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, 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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