$3.2 Billion in Block Grants For Efficiency Measures

WASHINGTON, D.C — Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and Native American tribes will soon receive $3.2 billion of stimulus funding for energy efficiency projects. The funding is separate from the $8 billion in federal stimulus funds flowing to the low-income weatherization program, according to the EERE News, an online newsletter from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Among the projects eligible for funding under the program, known as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program:

• Energy audits and energy retrofit work in residential and commercial buildings;
• Grants to nonprofit organizations for energy efficiency retrofits;
• The development of more stringent energy codes for new buildings;
• Incentive programs for energy-efficiency improvements; and
• The installation of renewable energy equipment on government buildings.

The program will provide nearly $1.9 billion to cities and counties, while states and territories will receive nearly $770 million. Tribal governments will receive $55 million. “These investments will save taxpayer dollars and create jobs in communities around the country,” said Vice President Joe Biden. “Local leaders will have the flexibility in how they put these resources to work.”

More information on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program is available on the Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program Web site. The “frequently asked questions” section of the site is particularly useful.