WARWICK, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Warwick has reduced their municipal building energy use by 38% since 2007 and the town is seeking to make more energy efficiency improvements by becoming a “Climate Leader Community” which will open the door to accessing some of the $60 million the state has set aside for green projects.
As a designated Green Community, Warwick has used state funding to convert several municipal buildings to electric heat pumps, and now to offset the increased electricity demand the town is proposing adding solar panels. Funding for the panels would come from the $60 million the state has set aside for green projects, however the town would need to become a designated “Climate Leader Community” to access the funds.
Applying for the next level designation comes at no cost to the town, but does require a plan to continue making energy efficiency improvements throughout the town, including transitioning the municipal fleet of vehicles to cleaner choices and switching more buildings to the electric heat pump system.