In 2007, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) began an energy management pilot to help reach near net zero energy for seven water treatment plants.
One of the biggest successes was the Town of Lee drinking water treatment plant, which now produces nearly 70 percent of its own electricity, saving the community up to $34,000 a year and providing 114 kW of green power capacity. The updates account for a greenhouse gas emission reduction of 34 tons per year.
In July 2009, Lee was awarded $801,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
