Governor Bill Richardson and the New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment have announced $37 million US funding from the U.S. DOE through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for New Mexico’s State Energy Program, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, and the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. 

The initial Request for Application (RFA) solicits applications for demonstration projects that will generate renewable energy, reduce reliance on imported energy, increase energy efficiency, and improve electricity and fuel supply reliability. These projects may include use of renewable energy and clean-burning transportation fuels.

For the State Energy Program funding under this RFA, only public entities including schools (K-12), local governments, state agencies, colleges and universities, Indian tribes and pueblos are eligible to apply and compete, although they may subcontract all or part of the work required for their projects. Under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, only municipalities and counties are eligible to compete for funding. Grants will range from $50,000 to $500,000. The deadline for applications is June 26, 2009, with a webinar to help guide potential applicants through the application process hosted by the Energy Conservation and Management Division on Monday, June 1, 2009.

Additional public and private sector funding opportunities will be available through RFAs and Requests for Proposals that will be issued later this summer.