The Department of Energy Resources begins first round of Pathways to Zero Grant Program with designated $2.5 million

The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has begun its first round of its Pathways to Zero Grant Program where it has designated $2.5 million for the project-based feasibility, design and construction funding of Zero Net Energy Building (ZNEB) projects. Projects can address any type of new or existing building within the residential, commercial, or institutional sectors, and must be located in Massachusetts. Residential grants are available for construction costs and non-energy building performance monitoring. Commercial and Institutional grants are available to support feasibility, integrated design or construction costs. Applicants may only apply for one category of funding per project/submission. Response Package submissions are due by July 15 and awards are scheduled for early fall of this year. Response Packages include a Transmittal Letter, Executive Summary and Narrative Section which are defined in greater detail in the document available below along with Evaluation Criteria and ZNEB Performance Requirements. A single firm can apply for multiple developments. Sites will be prioritized based on defined criteria relative to total energy use, onsite renewable energy generation, replicability, project budget, etc. Massachusetts has defined 26 Gateway Cities that will take precedence in the grant awarding: Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester. The overall goal of this program is to drive net zero development across the state and support the emerging market.