Sponsors of Mass Save Grant to Support Energy Efficiency Education

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BOSTON — The Sponsors of Mass Save announced that applications are now open for the fourth round of the Mass Save Community Education Grant, an initiative that serves to increase access to and awareness of energy efficiency programs through educational and culturally relevant opportunities for residents in Environmental Justice Communities (EJCs).

This continued effort by the Sponsors aims to equitably reduce carbon footprints across communities and help the commonwealth reach its net zero goals.?? 

For one year, all grant applicants must participate in an annual program progress evaluation and carry out a number of activities, which include collaborating with participating Mass Save Sponsors and creating initiatives to help engage residents in energy efficiency education and programs. While the application is open to all organizations that meet eligibility requirements, priority will be given to EJCs with a particular focus on renters, landlords, English isolated customers, K-12 student organizations and income-eligible individuals. 

Selected grant recipients may receive:? 

  • Funding that can range from $5,000 to $25,000 per year depending on project proposals (awarded in two cycles) to support project costs 
  • Mass Save branded collateral to assist in marketing efforts of the grantee 
  • Assistance planning local events 
  • Pre-recorded training sessions by content experts on energy efficiency offerings and best practices 
  • Access to a utility company account manager to maximize energy efficiency opportunities in municipal buildings 

Since 2022, the Mass Save Community Education Grant has delivered more than $1M in funding statewide to 48 recipients. A critical component of the upcoming 2025-2027 Three-Year Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Plan, the Sponsors will continue to provide this funding opportunity twice a year for community-based organizations, helping to bring energy efficiency awareness and education to residents in EJCs.  

To apply for the grant, visit the online application on MassSave.com. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15, 2024. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the informational session on Nov. 6, 2024 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.?To register for the webinar, reach out to Kaira Fox at kaira.fox@eversource.com. 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Holiday Inn Remains Closed from Broken Elevator

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It has been almost three weeks since broken elevators temporarily closed the Holiday Inn & Suites, and the hotel is still working to meet code compliance. 

The hotel at 1 West Street has been closed since Sept. 25, after its last working elevator of three broke down. The 101 Restaurant & Bar, located within the Holiday Inn, also has temporarily shut its doors while repairs are ongoing. 

The day of the shutdown had emergency personnel carrying people who use mobility devices down stairs. 

“We were called there a couple of Fridays ago. There was no working elevator. There were EMTs and the fire department there, and they were getting over half a dozen people down the stairs that were in wheelchairs and walkers,” Building Commissioner Rian Dowd told iBerkshires on Wednesday. 

“So with the no working elevators, we shut the building down.”

The central downtown, 12-story hotel has nearly 180 guest rooms. Massachusetts requires public multi-level buildings and facilities to have elevator access. 

Dowd said the Holiday Inn is still working with the elevator company and state inspectors to be certified and reopen. They were told to provide the City of Pittsfield with a timeline, work orders, and contracts from repairs so that everyone can be on the same page and the hotel can open as quickly as possible, she said. 

“We have not heard anything from them yet this week,” she reported. 

iBerkshires’ attempts to reach a representative from the Holiday Inn were unsuccessful. 

There were no passengers in the elevator when it stopped working; how it broke was not disclosed. 

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