Boston, MA – Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC) has received $250,000 from the City of Boston’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) Equitable Emissions Investment Fund to install solar panels on nine buildings within two affordable developments: Glendale and Wilder Garden Apartments.
DBEDC works to support climate justice and health equity in a community disproportionately impacted by climate change, and is committed to innovative, sustainable housing practices that will benefit our community. DBEDC will utilize this grant to reduce emissions and reinvest savings to provide higher quality housing and programming to residents. The solar panels on these developments are expected to offset a combined 153,798 kg of carbon dioxide per year. The excess savings from the solar panels will also enable lower-income tenants to receive discounted electricity rates.
“We deeply appreciate the City of Boston’s support in funding this critical solar panel initiative, which will not only help reduce emissions but also lower energy costs for our residents, many of whom are on the frontlines of climate change,” said Kimberly R. Lyle, CEO of Dorchester Bay EDC. “This project reflects DBEDC’s commitment to climate justice and mitigating climate harms by reducing emissions and reinvesting savings into programs that create opportunities for our neighbors to thrive—such as building more affordable, energy-efficient housing and training for green jobs. It is a meaningful step toward a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable future for our community.”
DBEDC will be working with Resonant Energy to retrofit the buildings for solar panels. DBEDC and Resonant’s previous installation of solar panels on DBEDC’s Indigo Block affordable housing development has saved 192,135.45 lbs of carbon dioxide emissions, or the equivalent of planting 1,451.76 trees, and the installation on Quincy Heights has saved 36 tons of emissions.
“It has been our pleasure to continue to support Dorchester Bay EDC in decarbonizing their housing portfolio with this latest set of solar PV projects as part of their participation in the STAR Program,” said Isaac Baker, Co-CEO of Resonant Energy. “Identifying new funding opportunities like BERDO EEIF and supporting affordable housing owners in applying for them is a perfect example of the extra mile services we strive to offer through our technical assistance offerings.”
The Equitable Emissions Investment Fund was created for the support, implementation, and administration of local building-carbon abatement projects that benefit the City of Boston’s emissions reduction goals. Money from the fund prioritizes Boston’s Environmental Justice Populations and populations disproportionately affected by air pollution.
About Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation DBEDC is a Community Development Corporation (CDC) and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Founded in 1979, we work to build a strong, thriving, and diverse community in Boston’s North Dorchester and Roxbury neighborhoods. We develop, preserve, and sustain affordable rental and ownership housing. We lend capital to and coach small businesses and prepare job seekers for well-paying sustainable employment. We stabilize tenancies and foster community leadership. We’re focused on equitable development without displacement and providing opportunities for economic mobility. We are one of Boston’s oldest and most established community development organizations. Learn more at dbedc.org.
