BOSTON, MA - The State of Massachusetts recently announced that it is providing $776,900 to cover design costs for seven new or renovated "green" schools in the state. Among the first recipients of the grants are the cities of Salem, Brockton, Newton, Somerville, Waltham and the Williamstown and Beverly school departments.

The green schools program is part of a $13.5 million initiative to promote the design and construction of resource- and energy-efficient school buildings. The schools chosen for funding in the first cycle will use a variety of renewable and energy efficient technologies, such as geothermal heat pumps and fuel cells. They will also be eligible for additional funding to cover construction costs.

"Unlike other programs that merely promote the installation of new operating systems, the Massachusetts Green Schools initiative will also raise awareness among future generations of students, teachers and local communities of the sustained environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy," said Mitchell Adams, executive director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, a partner in the project.