Show me the Money: Washington State Issues Final Guidance for Competitive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $3.2 billion for energy efficiency and conservation block grants. Most of this money has been allocated directly to various local governments. Washington has an additional $6.4 million available through a competitive grant program.
Washington’s competitive grant program is administered through its Department of Commerce. Today, the Department of Commerce has announced the issuance of final guidelines for applications by smaller cities and counties for funds from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. Cities with populations lower than 35,000 and counties with populations lower than 200,000 are eligible to apply. Eligible cities and counties may choose to sub-grant their funds to other local governments, non-profits, or the private sector consistent with the guidelines.
The application guidelines, form, and frequently asked questions are available at www.commerce.wa.gov/recovery. The Department of Commerce will host a webinar on September 10, 2009, 9:00-11:00a.m., to review the final guidelines and answer questions. You can register for the webinar at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/352879171. For more information contact Heather Ballash at energy_policy@commerce.wa.gov.
Show me the Money: $66 Million for State Weatherization Assistance Programs
Today, the Department of Energy (“DOE”) announced more than $66 million in Recovery Act funding to four states for their weatherization assistance programs. The funding will help weatherize over 26,000 homes, lower energy costs, reduce pollution, and create green jobs across the country. Here is how the funds will be used in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut and Hawaii:
Alaska was awarded over $7.2 million today. Alaska will use its weatherization funds to weatherize more than 1,500 homes over the next three years. The money will be deployed through the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (“AHFC”), which manages weatherization in the state. The AHFC has created a statewide call center for client intake and is working with five local organizations to administer the program. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Alaska will receive additional funds of $9 million, for a total of more than $18 million.
Colorado was awarded over $31.8 million today. Colorado will use its weatherization funds to weatherize more than 16,750 homes over the next three years. The money will be deployed through the Colorado Energy $aving Partners Program (“E$P), which manages weatherization in the state. The E$P will perform provide green job training to promote the weatherization effort, and eleven local agencies will assist in retrofitting cost-effective measures in homes. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Colorado will receive additional funds of approximately $40 million, for a total of more than $79 million.
Connecticut was awarded over $25.7 million today. Connecticut will use its weatherization funds to weatherize more than 7,400 homes and re-weatherize an additional 100 homes over the next three years. The money will be deployed through the Department of Social Services, which manages weatherization in the state. Homes will receive an energy audit before even the more common weatherization activities are performed. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Connecticut will receive additional funds of $32 million, for a total of more than $64 million. Hawaii was awarded over $1.6 million today. Hawaii will use its weatherization funds to weatherize more than 650 homes over the next three years. The money will be deployed through the Hawaii Office of Community Services, which manages weatherization in the state. The Office of Community Services will provide training and technical assistance to local agencies to increase energy conservation and lower utility bills for low-income families. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Hawaii will receive additional funds of $2 million, for a total of more than $4 million.
Show me the Money: $7.5 Million Available to Develop Commercial Energy Efficiency Training Programs
On June 26, 2009, the Department of Energy ("DOE") released a funding opportunity announcement ("FOA") to deploy $7.5 million in Recovery Act funds to further its goals of reducing energy consumption and achieving net zero-energy buildings (defined as buildings that produce as much energy as they consume). In order to reach these goals, DOE recognizes that a workforce must be created to help existing buildings reach, and new buildings keep, their full energy efficiency potential.
This specific FOA provides ten to thirty individual awards from $250,000, to $750,000 to develop training programs for three specific sets of commercial building specialists:
- Equipment technicians,
- Operators, and
- Energy commissioning agents/auditors
Entities involved with energy efficiency, professional development associations, trade training/development associations, universities, community colleges, technical trade schools, and apprenticeship programs are encouraged to apply.
Applications must be submitted by September 1, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
