SHAHEEN ANNOUNCES OVER $12.5 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDING COMING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION
Grant program will create jobs by funding energy efficiency and conservation projects
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced today that New Hampshire will receive $12,522,900 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for energy efficiency and conservation programs through the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. This funding complements over $49 million in ARRA funding that Shaheen announced two weeks ago for similar conservation efforts for the State Energy Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program.
“Investing in energy efficiency and conservation efforts is a win-win-win: these investments will create jobs, bring down energy costs for consumers, and help curb global warming,” said Shaheen. “Our local communities have an important role to play in moving our nation toward energy independence and curbing global warming. That’s why this program was one of my priorities in putting together the recovery act, and that’s why I’ve supported energy efficiency and conservation efforts throughout my career. I’m glad this important funding is coming to New Hampshire quickly to help get our economy moving again.”
Shaheen is a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and has long championed energy efficiency and conservation efforts. As Governor, she improved energy efficiency in state buildings, saving the state several million dollars a year in energy costs and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by millions of pounds per year. She also helped enact energy efficiency programs for residential, commercial and industrial users that have saved New Hampshire families and businesses almost $400 million and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by millions of tons since June 2002.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program provides grants to states and local governments to fund projects that reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and that improve energy efficiency. The funding is disbursed to states and local governments according to a formula based on population, energy consumption, and other factors. A detailed list of funding for New Hampshire communities follows:
|
Name |
Award |
|
State of New Hampshire |
$9,593,500 |
|
Concord |
$203,800 |
|
Derry |
$133,200 |
|
Dover |
$123,400 |
|
Hudson |
$104,500 |
|
Londonderry |
$106,200 |
|
Manchester |
$1,049,400 |
|
Merrimack |
$116,400 |
|
Nashua |
$834,900 |
|
Rochester |
$126,500 |
|
Salem |
$131,100 |
|
TOTAL |
$12,522,900 |
For more information on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, please visit: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/wip/block_grants.cfm.
A Department of Energy press release announcing this funding follows:
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(202) 586-4940 Thursday, March 26, 2009
Obama Administration Announces Additional $12,522,900 for Local Energy Efficiency Improvements in New Hampshire
Block Grants to Support Jobs, Cut Energy Bills, and Increase Energy Independence
WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced plans to invest $3.2 billion in energy efficiency and conservation projects in U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and Native American tribes. This includes $12,522,900 for state, county and city efforts in New Hampshire. A detailed breakdown is below.
Today’s announcement builds on an investment of $49,045,594 in New Hampshire weatherization and energy funding announced by the Administration on March 12th and detailed at energy.gov/recovery.
“These investments will save taxpayer dollars and create jobs in communities around the country,” said Vice President Biden. “Local leaders will have the flexibility in how they put these resources to work – but we will hold them accountable for making the investments quickly and wisely to spur the local economy and cut energy use.”
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, funded by President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will provide formula grants for projects that reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency.
The funding will support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Other activities eligible for use of grant funds include transportation programs that conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, renewable energy installations on government buildings, energy efficient traffic signals and street lights, deployment of Combined Heat and Power and district heating and cooling systems, and others.
To ensure accountability, the Department of Energy will provide guidance to and require grant recipients to report on the number of jobs created or retained, energy saved, renewable energy capacity installed, greenhouse gas emissions reduced, and funds leveraged. Funding is based on a formula that accounts for population and energy use.
“The Block Grants are a major investment in energy solutions that will strengthen America’s economy and create jobs at the local level,” said Secretary Chu. “The funding will be used for the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable energy technologies we have – energy efficiency and conservation – which can be deployed immediately. The grants also empower local communities to make strategic investments to meet the nation’s long term clean energy and climate goals.”
