MARION — Marion has been awarded a $102,000 Green Communities Competitive Grant from the state’s Department of Energy Resources to improve energy efficiency at the Elizabeth Taber Library.

About $80,000 of the grant will be used to replace antiquated heating and cooling equipment on the building’s first floor. This project is expected to save $3,389 annually. The payback time for the project is approximately 24 years.

Approximately $16,000 of the funding will go toward ductwork sealing and insulation in the library basement. This project is expected to save $904 annually. The payback time for the project is approximately 18 years.

The remaining funds will be used to support administrative activities related to the projects.

"Since being named a Green Community we have worked to identify and complete projects that will improve our energy efficiency town-wide, and this work continues with these projects at Elizabeth Taber Library,"  Marion Facilities Director Shaun Cormier said. "We are grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration and Department of Energy Resources for this funding and their continued support of our efforts."

Competitive grants are awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards. 

The grant funding is part of a statewide initiative to help Massachusetts cities and towns find clean energy solutions that reduce long-term energy costs and strengthen local economies. 

Marion is one of 280 Massachusetts communities to be named as green communities and one of 64 to receive a portion of the latest grant funds totaling more than $8 million.