NASEO News Release
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information contact:
Cary Brazeman, 310-205-3590
cary@thecorporatestoryteller.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — June 30, 2009
U.S. Department of
Energy Approves 16 State Energy Spending
Plans as Part of Stimulus Push,
Long-Range Investment
- $508 Million for Those 16
States Now
- Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy Stimulus Projects
- 39 More State, Territory
Energy Program Plans Under Review by
DOE
ALEXANDRIA, VA — The U.S. Department
of Energy has approved 16 State Energy
Program spending plans authorized as
part of the federal economic stimulus
package signed into law in February.
With the approval of these plans, 16 of
the nation’s State Energy Offices are
receiving $508 million, representing 50%
of full program funding. Remaining
funding will come as states implement
their programs and deliver results.
The 16 state plans approved so far
include: Arizona, California,
Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa,
Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
New Hampshire, North Carolina, South
Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and
Washington.
DOE continues to review State Energy
Program spending plans from 39 other
states and U.S. territories. Action on
the plans is expected by the end of
July.
These energy plans fulfill state
obligations under the federal State
Energy Program, one of a number of
stimulus-funded programs operated by the
56 State and Territory Energy Offices.
Total stimulus funding for the State
Energy Program is $3.1 billion.
The State Energy Program is a key
part of the Obama Administration’s
national strategy to support green job
growth, while making an historic
investment in economically viable clean
energy projects.
“This funding will provide an
important boost for state economies,
help put Americans back to work, and
move us toward energy independence,”
said DOE Secretary Steven Chu. “It
reflects our commitment to support
innovative state and local strategies to
promote energy efficiency and renewable
energy while insisting that taxpayer
dollars be spent responsibly.”
The National Association of State
Energy Officials, based in Alexandria,
VA, represents the State and Territory
Energy Offices. NASEO members,
typically designated by governors, are
leading state efforts to direct, invest
and manage energy spending to maximize
energy savings, private sector
cost-share, and economic benefits,
including jobs. The energy offices
manage more than $3 billion of state
funds annually in addition to the
federal stimulus funding.
Other federal energy spending under
the stimulus plan includes $3.2 billion
for the Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant Program, which
is directed to about 1,700 cities,
counties, local governments and states,
and 510 tribes; $5 billion for the
Weatherization Assistance Program, which
helps low-income people reduce their
energy bills by making homes more energy
efficient; $4.4 billion for utilities
and others involved in development of a
national “smart grid” for electricity
transmission, delivery and use; and $300
million for Energy Star appliance
rebates to consumers.
More Details on State Energy Program
Plans
Following is a brief overview of five
states’ State Energy Program spending
plans:
Arizona: The Arizona Energy
Office submitted a $55.4 million plan,
which has been approved. Programs for
Arizona schools and state buildings will
utilize energy performance contracting
to leverage $30 million in stimulus
funding with private capital to achieve
$150 million in energy efficiency and
renewable energy projects. These energy
performance contracts will reduce annual
utility costs by $15.5 million for
Arizona taxpayers. Additional programs
will distribute $25 million in funding,
grants, incentives and a revolving
energy loan program to encourage energy
efficiency and renewable energy projects
statewide. Overall, the program is
expected to create more than 1,500 jobs
for Arizona.
Iowa:
Iowa’s Office of Energy Independence
submitted a $40.5 million plan, which
has been approved. This included
funding for public, private, nonprofit
agricultural, commercial and industrial
facilities, as well as technology
demonstration and training. The state
will establish a revolving loan fund for
the agricultural and commercial sectors
and another for nonprofit entities.
Iowa also will set up a financing
program for schools, hospitals, local
governments, and state organizations,
providing the capital necessary for
energy efficiency improvements in the
public sector.
Massachusetts: The
Massachusetts Department of Energy
Resources submitted a $54.9 million
plan, which is under review.
Massachusetts expects to leverage
federal funding up to six-fold with
private funds, based on the anticipated
revenue stream of energy cost savings.
This will enable the Commonwealth to
advance up to $330 million in energy
projects that significantly reduce
fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas
emissions while potentially creating
more than 4,000 jobs. $20 million will
be directed to a new Massachusetts Solar
Stimulus effort to install large solar
projects (many in excess of 500
kilowatts) at state facilities. $14.9
will be directed to an Energy Efficiency
for State Facilities program that will
implement efficiency retrofits and
advanced metering. $20 million will be
used for a Massachusetts Building Energy
Transformation effort to fund proposals
that demonstrate solutions that could
transform how energy is used in
buildings across Massachusetts.
New York: The New York State
Energy Research and Development
Authority submitted a $123 million plan,
which is under review. Under the plan,
$82 million will be directed to energy
efficiency, providing direct financial
support to municipalities, schools,
hospitals, public colleges and
universities, and nonprofit
organizations for the installation of
energy-efficiency measures including
lighting, cooling, heating, motors,
building envelope, combined heat and
power, and geothermal systems. Technical
assistance will be available to targeted
sectors to assist customers in designing
energy-related projects. New York also
will be directing $4.4 million to
support adoption of an advanced Energy
Code and to support compliance; $31
million toward expansion of solar
energy; and $4.6 million to
alternative-fuel vehicles.
Texas: Texas’ State Energy
Conservation Office proposes using
stimulus funding in several areas,
including an innovative revolving loan
fund based on a current program with a
successful track record. Eligible
entities can use loans for energy
efficiency and retrofit projects on
public buildings and facilities.
Funding will support energy management
systems and equipment controls,
installation of high efficiency HVAC
systems and lighting, and building
insulation, window and plumbing
improvements. Awards will go to
projects offering the most efficient use
of taxpayer dollars, achieving the
highest per-dollar energy savings. The
savings that entities recognize from
lower utility costs will repay the
loans, allowing the repaid money to be
made available to other eligible
entities. (Texas’ State Energy Program
spending plan is under review.)
To learn more about funding plans and
programs in each state, contact specific
State Energy Offices. A complete list
of State Energy Offices is accessible at
http://naseo.org/members/states.
About NASEO
NASEO members lead America’s State
and Territory Energy Offices, which
build on the unique resources of their
states and regions to advance key energy
goals, including:
- Improving energy efficiency in
homes, commercial buildings,
industry and agriculture;
- Opening markets for renewable
energy, such as solar, wind,
geothermal and biofuels;
- Promoting sound residential,
commercial and institutional energy
building codes;
- Transforming transportation by
advancing biofuels, plug-in hybrids
and other alternative fuels and
vehicles;
- Delivering cost-effective and
verifiable greenhouse gas emissions
savings;
- Developing and testing creative
clean energy financing mechanisms
(such as revolving loan funds),
policies and market transformation
programs;
- Supporting state research
institution innovation of
cutting-edge energy technologies;
and
- Enhancing energy assurance and
energy emergency preparedness.
The State Energy Program has proven
effective at both reducing energy
consumption and attracting state and
private capital investment. According
to a 2005 report by the Oak Ridge
National Laboratory, each $1 of SEP
federal funds is associated with annual
savings of 1.03 million source BTUs and
a cost savings of $7.22. Also, each $1
of SEP federal funds is typically
leveraged by $10.71 of state and private
funds, making the federal money go much
further.
Public and private-sector energy
organizations are welcome to join NASEO
as affiliate members. For more
information, visit
www.NASEO.org.
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