March 30, 2009
Majority of funds will go to communities across the state
LANSING -- Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that communities across Michigan will benefit from $76.6 million recently announced under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) for energy efficiency and energy conservation projects. The funds include $57.6 million for communities and tribal governments that are eligible for the funds through an existing formula. At least another $11.4 million will be available to communities across Michigan through a state-sponsored competitive grant program.
"These Recovery Act grants for energy efficiency and conservation will help fuel our own plan to green Michigan's economy," said Granholm. "Making our state more energy efficient will put Michigan workers back on the job, increase demand for our own renewable energy technologies, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels."
Of the $76.6 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation block grants the U.S. Department of Energy has set aside for Michigan, $57.6 million will go directly to 69 Michigan communities and tribal governments for local energy efficiency and conservation efforts. Though the Department of Energy (DOE) has determined the funding levels for state and local governments, these communities must submit an application to DOE before they will receive their Recovery Act dollars.
Of the remaining $19.6 million allocated for Michigan, the state will re-distribute a minimum of $11.4 million to communities through a competitive grant process, giving additional Michigan cities and counties the opportunity to receive Recovery Act funds for their own energy efficiency projects. Once Michigan receives final DOE approval of its formal application for Recovery Act funds, the state will announce the process for applying for the competitive grants, expected as soon as June 2009.
Both the state and local formula and competitive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants will support a wide variety of energy-saving efforts, including:
- conducting energy audits and installing energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings;
- developing and implementing advanced building codes;
- creating financial incentives for energy efficiency improvements;
- equipping landfills to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gases;
- installing renewable energy technologies on government buildings;
- investing in energy efficient traffic signals and street lights;
- utilizing combined heat and power and district heating and cooling systems
"With this funding," said Granholm, "cities and counties all over the state will make key investments in their own renewable energy economies, creating jobs and lowering energy bills for businesses and homeowners in their own communities."
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