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Renewable Energy Press Release

Falmouth Public Schools Awarded $130,000 from State Renewable Energy Fund Funds to be used to design energy efficient, "green" school

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Massachussets Technology Collaborative

FALMOUTH, MA (March 28, 2002) - The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative today announced a $130,000 grant to the Falmouth Public Schools for incremental design costs of the soon to be renovated Falmouth High School. Funding comes from the Massachusetts Green Schools Initiative-a $13.5 million dollar program to promote the design and construction of a new generation of resource and energy efficient "green" school buildings. The school is eligible to receive additional funding to cover "green" construction costs later this year.

"The Green Schools Initiative provides school districts throughout the state with the information and resources necessary to develop high-performance facilities that are energy efficient and that use renewable energy technologies," said Mitchell Adams, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. "This partnership in Falmouth will also raise awareness among future generations of students, teachers and local communities of the sustained environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy."

"It is essential that we plan for the future by making our buildings more energy efficient and by taking advantage of renewable energy resources," said State Representative Matthew Patrick. "Doing so is good for our environment and the local economy and this grant brings energy efficiency to the forefront in the design process."

The Falmouth Public School District will use the funds to incorporate a fuel cell, geothermal technology and a solar panel system into the design for the Falmouth High School. The architect who designed the school is Dr. Hisham Ashkouri of ARCADD, Inc.

"We are excited about the prospect of incorporating clean, renewable resources into the design of the Falmouth High School. We are strongly committed to implementing a combination of systems to aid in the reduction of overall energy requirements of the school," said Dr. Peter Clark, Superintendent of the Falmouth Public Schools. "Funding from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust will enable us to build a high-performance school that will serve as a teaching tool for the students and the community."

The Massachusetts Green Schools Initiative is a cooperative effort between the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's "Renewable Energy Trust" and the Massachusetts Department of Education. The program was established to increase awareness of the environmental, educational and cost benefits of designing and building high-performance green schools. It is a key component of the Trust's comprehensive effort to develop a sustainable, competitive market for renewable energy in Massachusetts.

"Our partnership with local school and community leaders across the Commonwealth will produce healthier, more productive learning environments for our children and will help hold down school operating costs," said Education Commissioner David Driscoll. "This program will help influence how future schools will be designed and built in Massachusetts."

Districts receiving awards will utilize a variety of renewable and energy-efficient technologies such as solar, wind and geothermal energy as well as fuel cells and biomass technology in their school construction and renovation projects. The first seven Green Schools Initiative awards were made in early February to Beverly, Brockton, Newton, Salem, Somerville, Waltham and Williamstown. The final three grants under the first Track of the Green Schools Initiative are being awarded to Gill-Montague, Ashland and Falmouth.

Awardees receive up to $130,000 for incremental design costs and up to $500,000 for construction costs associated with the installation of renewable energy technologies and enhanced energy efficiency measures. Applications for a second track of Green Schools Initiative funding for additional future construction or renovation projects will be available later this year. The Renewable Energy Trust was established by the Governor and State Legislature as an essential part of the state's energy strategy to shift toward greater reliance on renewable resources in the Commonwealth. The Trust is managed by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, an independent economic development authority based in Westborough.

The Massachusetts Department of Education oversees the School Building Assistance Program. Since its creation in 1948, the program has provided municipalities with financial assistance for the construction and financing of school projects.