Investing in Renewable Energy, $34 Million Headed to Colorado

Investing in Renewable Energy, $34 Million Headed to Colorado
NewsChannel 13 (abc)
By: Editorial Published: September 30th, 2009
Website Article

 

COLORADO SPRINGS - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that Colorado is receiving more than $34 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the state.

Under DOE's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, Colorado will receive $9.5 million to implement energy efficiency and conservation activities. The state will also receive $24.6 million in additional funding under the State Energy Program for a range of state-level energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. These Recovery Act projects will lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and create green jobs across the Centennial State.

Secretary Chu also released a new report outlining major economic opportunities for Colorado as the U.S. moves to a clean energy economy and pursues comprehensive legislation to create a system of clean energy incentives. This includes significant opportunities in solar and wind power, biomass resources, energy efficiency and other areas. The full report is available HERE.

"This funding will allow Colorado to make major investments in energy solutions that will strengthen America's economy and create jobs at the state and local level," said Secretary Chu. "It will also promote some of the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable energy technologies we have - energy efficiency and conservation - which can be deployed immediately. Local communities can now make strategic investments to help meet the nation's long term clean energy and climate goals."

Colorado will use its Recovery Act funding to lay the groundwork for a New Energy Economy across the state. Colorado's EECBG programs will facilitate direct and immediate investments that will expand access to energy efficiency and renewable energy resources and help local communities quickly adopt energy saving technologies. The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) will distribute more than 75 percent of the state's EECBG allocation to the 52 counties in the Centennial State that were not eligible to receive direct grants under the EECBG program. The EECBG funding will help Colorado achieve its Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent against 2005 levels by 2020, and by 80 percent by 2050.

To increase energy efficiency in the commercial sector, GEO will implement a program with EECBG funding to "Re-Energize Main Street," offering technical assistance, energy audits, and project management services for small business owners and small commercial buildings. In the residential sector, the state will also use EECBG funds to establish both formula-based and competitive programs to provide funding incentives to communities to increase the heating and cooling efficiency of existing homes. GEO will work with Colorado utility companies to deliver rebates that will reimburse homeowners for a portion of the cost of activities such as energy audits or the installation of attic insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, and high-efficiency furnace replacements. GEO will also implement robust consumer outreach efforts to educate the public about the benefits of energy efficiency improvements to the home. EECBG funding will also be used to provide incentives to residents and businesses that incorporate on-site renewable energy technology, particularly home heating systems; Colorado expects to offer $400 rebates for the purchase and installation of efficient biomass-burning stoves that can make use of the state's wood-pellet resource.

The state will use its State Energy Program (SEP) funds for a range of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Under the SEP program,GEO will provide a suite of products aimed at removing financial barriers to rapid deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, including offering access to short-term and intermediate low-cost capital to projects in the commercial, residential and industrial sectors. An Energy Efficiency for Existing Buildings Program will help state agencies, including public schools, reduce their energy use and carbon emissions. Using Recovery Act funds, Colorado will also substantially expand its Renewable Energy Rebates and Grants Program across the residential, commercial and industrial/utility sectors. Additionally, the office will promote greater energy efficiency in new and existing homes with programs such as a "whole house tune-up" that bundles efficiency incentives for homes.

The Department of Energy had previously awarded the first 50 percent of Colorado's State Energy Program (SEP) funding. The remaining 50 percent announced today was delivered to the state after aggressive oversight, reporting, and accountability measures were put in place.

The EECBG Program was funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and provides formula grants to states, cities, counties, territories and federally-recognized Indian tribes nationwide to implement energy efficiency projects locally. Projects eligible for support include the development of an energy efficiency and conservation strategy, energy efficiency audits and retrofits, transportation programs, the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and installation of renewable energy technologies on municipal buildings.

Transparency and accountability are important priorities for the SEP and EECBG programs and all Recovery Act projects. All grantees have specific measures they must take before spending the full amount of awarded funding, such as ensuring oversight and transparency, submitting a conservation strategy to the Department of Energy, and complying with environmental regulations.

Throughout the programs' implementation, DOE will provide strong oversight at the local, state, and tribal level, while emphasizing the need to quickly award funds to help create new jobs and stimulate local economies. Communities will be required to report regularly to DOE on the progress they have made toward successfully completing projects and reaching program goals.

For a full list of EECBG awards to date, visit www.eecbg.energy.gov.