The office of Governor Deval L. Patrick announced the award of federal stimulus funded contracts to install 4.1 megawatts of solar energy at 12 public water and waste water treatment facilities throughout the State.  The press release from the Governor’s office states, “These projects will help to reduce energy bills and greenhouse gas impacts while creating jobs and growing the state’s solar industry.  The 12 contracts represent the state’s largest ever award for solar installation at public facilities.

“Over the past three years, we have built a vibrant solar industry in Massachusetts-quadrupling the number of companies and more than doubling the number of jobs in the solar energy sector, “Governor Patrick said.  Once complete, the solar projects will enable the 12 water and wastewater facilities to save nearly $650.000 per year by cutting conventional energy use by approximately 4.5 million kilowatt hours annually.

According to Governor Patrick’s office, “The 12 projects are funded out of $185 million in federal stimulus dollars awarded to Massachusetts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to finance 127 water and wastewater infrastructure projects through the State Revolving Fund administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act requires that 20% of federal stimulus funds for SRF be used for “green infrastructure” improvements at water and wastewater treatment plants-facilities that account for nearly one third of energy use by Massachusetts cities and towns.”