Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles has appointed Mark Sylvia to lead the Department of Energy Resources' (DOER) new green communities division. The division will support renewable energy efforts in Massachusetts.
Under the direction of DOER Commissioner Philip Giudice, Sylvia will assist cities and towns with energy efficiency opportunities, renewable energy projects and other clean power issues. In addition, a green communities grant program – expected to launch in early 2009 – will provide financial support to communities that make efforts to green their municipal operations.
An official in Plymouth's town government for over a decade, Sylvia has held the position of town manager since 2005, overseeing an annual budget of $141 million in one of the Massachusetts' fastest-growing communities.
Sylvia has played a leading role in a number of high-profile accomplishments for the town, including securing funding for new high schools and a senior center, negotiation of a $37 million tax agreement and new Emergency Operations Center with the Entergy Nuclear Generation Co. and investment in technology and energy strategies for the town.
Sylvia begins in his new position at DOER on Feb. 10, 2009.
SOURCE: Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
