Montachusett RPC reports Templeton down 8.7% in municipal energy use since FY19

The Montachusett Regional Planning Commission presented Templeton’s Green Communities annual report on March 12, reporting an 8.7% reduction in municipal energy use since the FY 2019 baseline.

Karen Chapman of MRPC outlined the town’s progress under the five Green Communities criteria: zoning for renewable energy uses, expedited permitting, a municipal energy‑reduction plan, a plan for municipal energy projects, and adoption of the stretch energy code. Chapman said Templeton has reduced building energy use by about 14% and street and traffic light energy use by about 20%; vehicle fuel use was down about 7%, and water/sewer energy use declined 2%.

Chapman described projects already completed with grant funding — lighting upgrades, weatherization at several municipal buildings and a hybrid police vehicle — and explained competitive grant opportunities of up to $225,000 (or higher when environmental‑justice bonuses apply) for additional energy projects. She also described a “climate leader” multi‑year decarbonization pathway that can fund larger projects.

Select Board members and MRPC staff discussed constraints for Templeton, including procurement requirements for municipal utilities and the town’s lack of incentives for some electric projects because of the municipal utility structure. MRPC said a remaining Green Communities grant balance of about $50,000 was expected to be spent on weatherization projects at the emergency management building and the senior center.

MRPC encouraged the town to consider larger multi‑year decarbonization grants if the town forms a local committee and commits to the required policy steps, and offered regional coordination support.