Massachusetts and EPA Honor 21 Treatment Facilities for Implementing Innovative Green Infrastructure

The Patrick-Murray Administration joined the US Environmental Protection Agency to present environmental awards to 21 drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities for implementing innovative "green infrastructure" improvements that will cut their operating costs and significantly reduce their carbon emissions. The awards highlight projects designed to further the goal of clean and safe water, while reducing carbon emissions with the installation of solar photovoltaic arrays, wind or hydroelectric turbines, combined heat and power systems, or energy efficiency improvements at the plants.

Key Takeaways:

• 21 treatment facilities received awards for implementing innovative "green infrastructure" improvements, including solar arrays, wind turbines, and energy efficiency upgrades.
• The investments in green infrastructure will save treatment facilities millions of dollars in operating costs and avoid the release of tens of thousands of tons of carbon emissions.
• The projects are expected to generate significant energy savings and emission reductions, with the potential to implement similar improvements in hundreds of treatment facilities across the state.
• The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA presented State Revolving Fund (SRF) Innovation and Excellence Awards to 10 drinking water facilities and 11 wastewater facilities during ceremonies held at the Carroll Water Treatment Plant operated in Marlborough by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA).
• The awards recognize the investments in solar, wind, and energy efficiency technologies that have resulted in clean water and a clean energy future for Massachusetts.
• The Recovery Act investments will help save money, reduce carbon emissions, and continue the Bay State's national leadership in clean energy.
• The Green Infrastructure program was started in 2007 by the Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and MassDEP, with a pilot project involving seven drinking water and seven wastewater treatment facilities.
• A total of $69.2 million in SRF funding was allocated to the 21 approved projects in 2009, with all loans but one eligible for full principle forgiveness based on the use of federal Recovery Act funds.
• Massachusetts Congressman Edward J. Markey stated that the investments in solar, wind, and energy efficiency technologies have resulted in clean water and a clean energy future for Massachusetts.
• The lifetime energy cost savings from the 10 drinking water projects are projected to total $14.8 million, with a reduction of nearly 72,400 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
• The lifetime energy cost savings from the 11 clean water projects are projected to total $62 million, with a reduction of 377,000 tons of CO2.
• The carbon reduction from the 21 projects is equivalent to taking 112,100 cars off the road or planting 1.5 million trees.

Statistics:

• 21 treatment facilities received awards for implementing innovative "green infrastructure" improvements.
• $69.2 million in SRF funding was allocated to the 21 approved projects in 2009.
• 10 drinking water facilities and 11 wastewater facilities received awards for implementing green infrastructure improvements.
• The projects are expected to generate significant energy savings and emission reductions, with the potential to implement similar improvements in hundreds of treatment facilities across the state.
• The lifetime energy cost savings from the 10 drinking water projects are projected to total $14.8 million.
• The lifetime energy cost savings from the 11 clean water projects are projected to total $62 million.
• The carbon reduction from the 21 projects is equivalent to taking 112,100 cars off the road or planting 1.5 million trees.
• The carbon reduction from the 10 drinking water projects is equivalent to taking 18,100 cars off the road or planting 217,185 trees.
• The carbon reduction from the 11 clean water projects is equivalent to taking 94,000 cars off the road or planting 1.1 million trees.

Sources:

• Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
• US Environmental Protection Agency
• Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
• MassDEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell
• Congressman Edward J. Markey
• Congressman James McGovern
• Congressman Barney Frank
• Congressman John Tierney
• The Green Infrastructure program (started in 2007 by EEA and MassDEP)
• State Revolving Fund (SRF) Innovation and Excellence Awards