NEW GLOUCESTER — The town was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from Efficiency Maine to conduct energy audits of municipal buildings and to develop a municipal energy efficiency plan.

According to a release from Paul First, town planner, the effort is spearheaded by a committee of volunteer residents assisted by Planning Department staff. The group’s mission is to cut town energy costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They are seeking to reduce municipal energy use in town buildings by 25 percent and streetlights by 20 percent by the year 2015.

According to First, the specific energy saving strategies in the plan will be based on energy audits currently being conducted of the Town Hall, Meeting House, Town Garage, Library and Community Building.

One result of the planning efforts to date, Efficiency Maine has granted preliminary approval to fund $36,000 of energy efficiency improvements to New Gloucester municipal buildings based on the energy audit recommendations.

New Gloucester resident committee members include Carl Wilcox, Jim Fitch, Abby Lumsden, Cliff Andrews, Phoebe Hardesty and Dalton Myers. New Gloucester Librarian Suzan Hawkins and Public Works Director Ted Shane are also providing project assistance.