Green Buildings
and Infrastructure Program

With about one-third of all energy consumed in the U.S. being used for heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances in buildings, considerable attention has been focused over the past three decades on enhancing energy efficiency within homes, offices, schools, hospitals, and other buildings.

Artists for Humanity is a non-profit organization that offers paid apprenticeship programs in the arts to inner-city teens. The new headquarters, located in the Fort Point arts district, includes 43 kilowatts of roof-mounted photovoltaic cells, a glass curtain wall for daylighting benefits, and energy efficiency measures.

Energy efficiency measures include elements such as passive solar design, tight construction, natural lighting and ventilation, insulation, high performance insulation, windows and doors, as well as efficient heating and cooling systems, appliances, and light fixtures. These approaches have been successful in reducing energy consumption at a relatively low cost.

Recently, a more comprehensive view of the environmental impact of buildings has led to the promotion of waste minimization, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, low-impact use of land, and the greater use of natural and recycled materials. These approaches minimize the impact of building elements on human health and the environment.

The “green building” concept also includes the incorporation of renewable energy technologies into buildings, particularly solar electric (photovoltaic) systems. Green building practices that encompass renewable energy technologies are best considered at the start of the building design phase.

sam nutter Listen to an excerpt of a recent interview on the economic benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The interview was conducted by WERS 88.9's Bill Glucroft and featured Sam Nutter (pictured) of the Trust, along with other renewable energy experts, including Harvey Sachs, Buildings Program Director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
Listen in .MP3 format >>

The Trust’s Green Buildings and Infrastructure Program provides financial and technical support for the disciplined inclusion of renewable energy technologies in the broader process of green building development. The Program supports individual projects, and will use the results to increase knowledge of green building and renewable energy benefits and practices among building professionals and the public.

Four distinct initiatives have open solicitations:

The Green Affordable Housing Initiative provides funding for affordable housing that uses green, healthy, and clean energy technologies. The program provides several funding opportunities, including (1) installation incentives for affordable ENERGY STAR® Qualified New Homes, and (2) Grants for up to 1,000 units of green affordable housing in Massachusetts, for feasibility studies, design assistance, and construction assistance.

The Green Schools Initiative provides support services to K-12 school districts interested in building high-performance green schools. Successful school projects may also qualify for grants to install solar or wind systems.

The Large Onsite Renewables Initiative extends grants to expand the use of large renewable energy generation systems (more than 10 kW in size). Organizations can apply for feasibility or design and construction grants through a competitive solicitation process.

The Small Renewables Initiative supports the installation of 400-500 small renewable generation systems (up to 10 kW in size) through rebates for residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities.

Previous programs for green buildings include the Green Buildings Initiative, the Fuel Cell Initiative, and the Solar-to-Market Initiative.

For additional resources, visit the Green Buildings section of the Energy Information website. The Green Buildings in Massachusetts and How to Get Involved pages provide useful links to fact sheets, reports, programs, and organizations.