Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Approves Funding for Renewable-Energy Projects

The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust (MRET, Westborough, MA) has approved $1.82 million in funding for projects that will use a variety of renewable-energy technologies. The seven awards are the first to be announced since MRET issued its initial series of solicitations in March 2001.

MRET will award $47.0 million in grants, loans and other financial support in its first phase of operation that extends into next year. Among the seven projects approved for initial funding is an award of $128,415 to assess the feasibility of a 10MW photovoltaic facility, $150,000 to assess the use of fuel cells at the Harvard Medical School, and $425,000 to install a molten-carbonate fuel cell at the US Coast Guard Air Station on Cape Cod.

"These awards represent a milestone in our program development," says Greg Watson. "The primary goal of the Trust is to help the Commonwealth shift toward a greater reliance on renewable energy resources to meet the state's energy needs. MRET will be accelerating its program with additional grant awards and new solicitations in the coming months."

Applications for funding are still being accepted, and private companies, associations and public agencies are eligible to apply.