The Green Communities Division of Massachusetts DOER is making funds available for Owner’s Agent Technical Assistance (OATA) grants. Applications must be submitted online beginning October 3, 2013.
Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the $300,000 in available funds has been dispersed. Funding is available to all Massachusetts cities and towns, regional school districts, and water/wastewater treatment districts, regardless of Green Communities designation. Entities that have previously received OATA funds through the Green Communities Division are not eligible for this round of assistance.
Eligible applicants may apply for OATA grants for the following project types:
- Solar PV systems no less than 15 kW on property owned by the applicant
- Energy management services (that is, energy savings performance contracts)
- ASHRAE Level 2 audits in oil- or propane-heated buildings
- Assessments or feasibility studies for a zero-net energy building (ZNEB)
- Engineering studies for more-efficient heating systems (for example, conversion from steam to hot water—not for a higher-efficiency boiler), or conversion to renewable- or alternative-fuel-sourced heating systems, including wastewater heat recovery.
An applicant may receive an OATA grant up to $12,500, except ZNEB projects for which the maximum grant is $5,000.
Application information is available on the Green Communities website under “Publications and Reports.” Applications submitted before 9:00 a.m. on October 3 will not be considered.