Memo-EEA-Grant-FY26 — File 25-1295

CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT MAYOR KATJANA BALLANTYNE CHRISTINE BLAIS DIRECTOR CITY HALL | 93 HIGHLAND AVENUE | SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS 02143 www.somervillema.gov | FB.com/SomervilleCity | Twitter @SomervilleCity Date: August 20, 2025 To: Honorable Somerville City Council From: Christine Blais, Director RE: Request to accept a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Dear Honorable City Council, The Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) respectfully requests approval from the Honorable Somerville City Council to accept a technical assistance grant of $50,000 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). The grant will partially fund an ongoing project that is currently budgeted in the general fund in OSE’s professional and technical line. The project is a first of its kind study investigating possible zoning incentives to increase the ability to comply with the Fossil Fuel Free Ordinance, in addition to exploring mechanisms to encourage property owners to oversize transformers to facilitate cost-effective, space-efficient electrification in Somerville’s densely populated neighborhoods. The funds will be applied to work completed in Fiscal Year 2026. The goal of the project is to deliver recommendations for zoning incentives for city staff to use to develop new ordinance language. Thank you, Christine Blaise Director