The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced more than $54 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. Under DOE's State Energy Program (SEP), states and territories have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
These states and territories are now receiving 40% of their total SEP funding authorized under the ARRA. They will now have received 50% of the total ARRA SEP funding. The initial 10% of total funding was previously available to states to support planning activities; the remaining 50% of funds will be released once the states meet reporting, oversight and accountability milestones required by ARRA.
Funds in Nevada will be used for a series of clean energy initiatives, including the creation of a new revolving loan fund, building retrofits and transportation upgrades. The revolving loan fund will support community-scale and utility-scale renewable energy generation, energy efficiency and conservation projects.
Wisconsin will use its funds to coordinate and expand state activities and policy development that will achieve both state and federal goals of lessening dependence on fossil fuels, increasing renewable energy generation and investing in clean energy manufacturing to create jobs.
Wisconsin will also work to strengthen its manufacturing sector by investing in businesses that manufacture clean energy products and components, such as wind, solar, biofuels and advanced electrical storage systems.
Vermont will use its allocation to fund incentives to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency measures across the state in the public, private and residential sectors. The state will increase the development and deployment of cost-effective and environmentally sustainable electric power resources by offering grants and loans to residents, businesses, nonprofits, government and farms to help them install such renewable energy systems as solar, wind and geothermal.
Rhode Island will use its $9,584,000 award to advance energy efficiency in the public, commercial, industrial, and residential sectors.
SOURCE: DOE
