Green Schools Initiative

Potential applicants: Please note that the Renewable Energy Trust is ending its portion of the Green Schools Initiative on June 30, 2009. The availability of funding for grants from the Trust is currently extremely limited, and no grants will be available after June 30.

Planning a new school or major renovation?

Please Note: After July 1, 2009, MA-CHPS Verification will be handled by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). In order to go through the Renewable Energy Trust for verification before June 30, 2009, all schools must submit a MA-CHPS registration form and all MA-CHPS documentation by May 1, 2009.

Funding Opportunities

Woburn Memorial High School Read more about this and other schools >>

Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)
If you are a Massachusetts school district that is in the early stages of planning a new school or a major renovation/addition to an existing school, contact the MSBA and submit a Statement of Interest.  The MSBA regulations allow additional state reimbursement of up to 2% of the total project costs for school projects approved after July 1, 2007 which earn certification as a Massachusetts High Performance Green School. The Renewable Energy Trust's Green Schools Initiative will support those school districts that are seeking the additional 2% and designing or building high performance green schools. If you represent a Massachusetts educational collaborative or charter school, please contact us at the Trust (information here).

The Green Schools Initiative has two basic components:

1. Public Benefits Services:  school districts that have submitted a Statement of Interest to the MSBA may be eligible for educational services, engineering support, and/or “green team” support services to the design team. If you represent a Massachusetts educational collaborative or charter school, please contact us at the Trust(information here).
2. Renewable Energy System Grants:  school projects that are located in an investor-owned electric utility service territory and which have been certified as a Massachusetts High Performance Green School are eligible to apply for a grant to install a solar electric (PV) or wind electric system at the school.

It is important to make contact with your utility about rebate programs as early as possible in the design process so that opportunities are not missed. If your electric and gas utilities are investor-owned (not municipally-owned), your school project may be eligible for rebates that will help defray the cost of energy efficiency measures, such as occupancy sensors, efficient lighting, premium efficiency pumps and fans, and more.