LYNN – The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) awarded over $52 million in grants to help upgrade public school facilities through the Green School Works program. Of that roughly $52 million, $4,833,200 went to Lynn Public Schools (LPS).
Funded through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Green School Works program aims to make K-12 public school buildings more energy efficient, lower costs for school districts, reduce pollution and create safer and healthier learning environments for students and educators.
“Investing in clean energy to modernize our schools is one of the smartest steps we can take to create healthier, safer learning environments for our students and educators,” said Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “By improving energy efficiency, we lower costs, reduce harmful pollution and free up valuable resources to support teachers and educational programs. This is an investment in our buildings, the future of our communities and the well-being of the next generation.”
MassCEC CEO Dr. Emily Reichert explained that “we’re helping cities and towns modernize their buildings to include cleaner, more reliable energy systems, reducing air pollution and increasing comfort in our learning environments statewide” because “schools are central gathering points to support vibrant and healthy communities.”
She added that “the Green School Works program puts students’ and teachers’ health first and sets municipalities on a long-term path to more affordable facility operations.”
The Green School Works program will fund 18 projects across Massachusetts to modernize energy systems while investing in the well-being of communities. Each project benefits student populations where at least 40% of the students come from low-income backgrounds, with many of them located in environmental justice communities that have historically lacked access to building upgrades and infrastructure investment.
“At a time when the federal government is trying to cut education funding for heat pumps and ventilation, I am proud that Massachusetts is investing in programs like this,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.
The $4,833,200 from the Green School Works program will go toward heat pump water heaters, electrical service upgrades and distribution service upgrades at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, serving grades 9-12.
“This is the first step in redoing the cooling and heating system as we make this a green building,” said Michael Donovan, director of capital projects for the City. “Some of the equipment is original (from 1972), and we want to bring it up to date and electrify the building.”
Donovan credited Andy Young and Laura Stockfish from the capital projects office with working on the grant application, which was submitted by the City. He said the City has also applied for an electrification grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority to perform similar work, noting that the total cost of making the building green will be about $35 million.
“We appreciate the partnership with the state as we upgrade our facilities,” said Mayor Jared C. Nicholson. “This grant will result in a more energy-efficient and cost-effective building that is part of a larger plan to modernize our infrastructure.”
The upgrades at Tech follow other work that has been done in the last few years, including new windows and doors, a new biotech lab and a Construction Craft Laborers program that is scheduled to open in the fall, according to Danya Smith, policy director for the mayor’s office.
This is the first round of awards distributed through the Green School Works program, which was funded by the state legislature in 2024.
“We are thrilled Lynn Tech has been awarded significant funding to provide much-needed equipment upgrades that will result in lower costs and improved energy efficiency,” said Sen. Brendan Crighton. “Through these clean energy investments, we will provide students and teachers with a safe learning environment that also brings the school in line with modern energy system standards.”
