Lynn awarded federal energy-fix funding

LYNN – The city received $788,000 in federal funding Friday under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block grants program, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).Of the $42.2 million allocated to Massachusetts under federal formulas, 42 communities will directly receive amounts from $149,000 to $6.5 million to be used for job-creating investments that reduce energy use and reliance on fossil fuels.Peabody received a $494,200 grant while Revere got $485,000.Gov. Deval Patrick ann-ounced the White House grants, noting that communities under 35,000 population will be served by $14.8 million administered by the state Department of Energy Resources (DOER).”These energy block grants will fund job-creating investments in municipal facilities, and these investments will, in turn, give cities and towns permanent savings on energy costs,” said Patrick. “In this way, the federal recovery act will pay off for Massachusetts today and for years to come.”Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles said investing in energy efficiency and renewables “puts people to work and helps grow the clean energy industry already taking root in Massachusetts.” Federal funds further the objectives of the Green Communities Act in making cities and towns greener along with the economy, he said.The grants closely follow a March 12 announcement by the White House that Massachusetts would receive $54.9 million for the State Energy Program under ARRA. Those funds can be used for a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy investments as part of the governors’ recovery plan.DOER is preparing a spending plan for those funds based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Energy, which must approve the plan. The block grant funds allocated Friday are also subject to federal energy agency’s approval of spending plans.”These recovery dollars will create green jobs, reduce our energy use, and cut polluting emissions,” said Sen. John Kerry. “From every angle, this means more money in the pockets of working people in Massachusetts. Anytime you can create jobs and save taxpayers money, it’s a smart investment.”