Programming for the Community

2009 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Worcester was awarded $1.7 million from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, funded by a 2009 federal ARRA grant. The grant funded installation of a solar array at Worcester Technical High School, a City Hall building energy efficiency project, a small businesses sustainability audit program, and rebates for energy efficiency upgrades to residential income eligible property owners in targeted areas.
2011 Worcester Energy Program

The City launched the Worcester Energy program with the goals of:

  1. To lead by example and improve the energy efficiency of municipal operations;
  2. To communicate the City's efforts related to energy efficiency, conservation and sustainability; and
  3. To provide local relevant information in order to encourage residents, businesses and institutions to take action to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint.

As of 2015, through this program, the City administered the EECBG Grant (see above), Small Business Sustainability Pilot, and Residential Rebate Pilot.
2012 Small Business  Sustainability Pilot

The City completed 25 detailed small business energy assessments in cooperation with GDS Associates, Prism Energy and National Grid and with assistance of Federal EECBG funds. Click here for the Final Report summarizing lessons learned and challenges faced by Worcester’s small businesses in implementing recommended sustainability assessments’ measures.
2014 Residential Rebate Pilot A Residential Rebate Pilot was launched in 2014 to encourage energy efficiency improvements by providing financial incentives to Worcester homeowners. The project funded 167 energy efficiency projects which included 207 dwelling units for 1-4 family homes. Energy performance scoring was another educational aspect of the Pilot.
2017 Municipal Electrical Aggregation On June 20, 2017, the City Council authorized the commencement of Worcester Community Choice Aggregation with the goals of cost stability, modest reductions in electrical costs, providing an option for green electricity for customers, and providing modest additional funding for municipal sustainability staff and programs. The aggregation is expected to commence by the end of 2018.

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