Known for its rich history, Quincy is now setting its sights on the future, earning the moniker "Green City." Since 2011, Quincy has been designated as a Green Community by the state's Green Communities program, a status that has helped the city secure over $1 million in grant money to bolster its green initiatives.

The program requires Quincy to commit to reducing municipal energy use by 20 percent over five years, a goal that aligns with the city's ongoing sustainability efforts. Recently, a $200,000 grant from the program was utilized to acquire hybrid police vehicles and enhance energy efficiency in five local schools.

Solar energy is another key focus area for Quincy. Homeowners in the city can avail numerous incentives, including net metering, Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), tax exemptions, rebates, and tax credits. Federal incentives, like the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), also apply. With these incentives in place, Quincy homeowners who opt for solar panel installation stand to save an estimated $1,170.39 annually or a whopping $22,237.50 over 20 years.

On the transportation front, Quincy is pushing the envelope in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). The city's fire department recently incorporated a Chevrolet Bolt into their fleet, the city's first electric vehicle. But this is only the start of Quincy's electric vehicle revolution. Plans are underway to transition the city's vehicle fleet to electric, a move that is integral to Quincy's sustainability strategy, given that the current vehicle fleet contributes nearly 25 percent of the city's greenhouse gas emissions.

To encourage electric vehicle adoption, the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program offers rebates of up to $3,500 for battery and fuel-cell electric vehicles and up to $1,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Quincy is also enhancing its EV charging infrastructure, with 17 public charging stations currently operating within 15km of the city center. The majority of these stations offer free charges, easing the transition for electric vehicle users.

With these strides in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency, Quincy stands as a beacon of green evolution, providing a blueprint for other cities to follow in the race toward a sustainable future.