BOSTON – The Mass. Department of Energy Resources announced last week it is soliciting proposals from the public and private sectors for an array of innovative alternative-power and energy-efficient projects that could be eligible for federal stimulus funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

According to the Massachusetts agency, the U.S. Department of Energy recently requested applications for a share of approximately $156 million that is expected to fund up to 72 projects to deploy energy-efficient technologies nationwide. Massachusetts is preparing a comprehensive application on behalf of all interested entities in the state and will submit it to the federal department by July 14. Cities and towns, private firms, state agencies, health care and higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations had until June 30 to respond to a recently posted Program Opportunity Notice.

Projects eligible for The Clean Energy & Industrial Efficiency Program must be “shovel ready” within 120 days of receiving federal funding. •