BOSTON — The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) awarded North Adams Public Schools $300,000 to support the Greylock Elementary School project.

 

North Adams Public Schools will use the $300,000 in funding to help cover the cost difference between ground-source heat pumps and conventional HVAC at their newly built Greylock Elementary School, serving PreK through 2nd grades.

 

"Investing in clean energy to modernize our schools is one of the smartest steps we can take to create healthier, safer learning environments for our students and educators," said Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "By improving energy efficiency, we lower costs, reduce harmful pollution, and free up valuable resources to support teachers and educational programs. This is an investment in our buildings, the future of our communities, and the well-being of the next generation." 

 

The state awarded over $52 million in grants to help upgrade public school facilities through the Green School Works program. 

 

Funded through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the program aims to make K–12 public school buildings more energy-efficient, lower costs for school districts, reduce pollution, and create safer and healthier learning environments for students and educators. 

 

The program will fund 18 projects across Massachusetts to modernize energy systems while investing in the well-being of communities. Each project benefits student populations where at least 40 percent of the students come from low-income backgrounds, with many of them located in environmental justice communities that have historically lacked access to building upgrades and infrastructure investment. 

 

"The Green School Works funding is going to 18 schools across Massachusetts, from North Adams to Barnstable, highlighting our commitment to supporting public school districts with the tools they need to create safe, healthy, and high-quality learning environments for students and educators. At a time when the federal government is trying to cut education funding for heat pumps and ventilation, I am proud that Massachusetts is investing in programs like this," said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.