Reading celebrates Green Community Designation
DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney presents the Green Communities designation to Town Manager Matt Kraunelis while posing with the members of the Reading Select Board, legislative delegation, and town staff. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
(3-minute read)
Town staff, community members, and state legislators gathered on Thursday, August 21, to celebrate a milestone years in the making: Reading has officially been designated a Green Community by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). The recognition follows a six-year effort by local and state leaders to secure eligibility for towns with municipal light plants, culminating this spring in Reading’s successful designation.
The achievement not only highlights Reading’s commitment to a green, renewable, and sustainable future but also opens the door to significant grant opportunities for local projects.
A long road to Designation
Unlike most municipalities, Reading faced additional hurdles in joining the program because its power is supplied by the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD), which also serves surrounding communities. Legislative action was required to make towns like Reading eligible. Representative Rich Haggerty, Minority Leader Brad Jones, and Senator Jason Lewis spearheaded the efforts on Beacon Hill to amend the law, paving the way for Reading and nine other municipal light plant communities to join the program.
Reading joins nearly 300 other communities in the state in gaining the Green Communities designation. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
Town Manager Matt Kraunelis called the designation “the beginning of new opportunities to improve efficiency and resilience in the Town of Reading,” thanking the Select Board, Town Meeting, town staff, RMLD, DOER, the legislative delegation, and volunteers for their role in the accomplishment. He offered special recognition to Community Planning Director Andrew MacNichol and Senior Planner Olivia Knightly for their dedication to helping push the application over the finish line.
The impact of Green Communities
DOER Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney praised Reading’s efforts, noting that the program is designed to reduce energy use, upgrade municipal buildings and fleets with modern equipment, and expand the adoption of clean energy technologies.
“The Green Communities program really leans into actions on climate change and energy. It starts locally, and has really paid out in Reading, more so than anywhere else.”
Mahoney highlighted the broader success of the program, which now includes 91% of Massachusetts cities and towns. To date, DOER has awarded $200 million in grant funding statewide. Reading will receive a $160,000 designation grant as part of its entry, in addition to reaping the benefits of earlier energy efficiency measures. Since 2022, Reading has implemented improvements expected to save nearly $275,00 annually- funds that can now be redirected toward community needs.
Legislative and local leaders weigh in
Town Manager Matt Kraunelis speaking at the Green Communities Designation Event to a crowd that includes the Reading Select Board, legislative delegation, town staff, and community members held on Thursday, August 2025. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
Reps. Haggerty and Jones, along with a representative from Senator Lewis’s office, credited Select Board member Karen Herrick for her persistent advocacy throughout the process. Herrick traced the effort back to an Instructional Motion introduced at Town Meeting in Fall 2019, thanking many colleagues, town staff, and residents who stayed committed through two town managers and six years of Select Board service.
Select Board Chair Chris Haley emphasized the significance of the achievement: “By prioritizing environmental stewardship, we have not only reduced our carbon footprint, but also unlocked vital grants and resources to fund future projects.”
Pam Daskalakis, Chair of the RMLD Board, underscored the utility’s role:
“It’s fantastic that we all recognize the importance of Green Communities - not only to highlight the role local communities play in achieving our goals, but ensure the path is smoother, earlier, and more supported with funding.”
She noted that RMLD’s power supply is already 55% non-carbon renewables and continues to grow.
Looking ahead
With its Green Community designation, Reading joins many other Massachusetts municipalities in working towards shared climate and energy goals. More information on the program and Reading’s initiative can be found on the Green Communities page of the Town website.
