Markell: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Projects Will Create Jobs, Save Delawareans Money and Help the Environment

Press Release

Obama-Biden Administration delivers more than $9.5 million to Delaware

Gov. Jack Markell said the $9.593 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that Delaware will be receiving to support energy efficiency and conservation activities will help the state's economy by creating and help Delaware families by reducing their monthly energy bills.

"The cheapest form of energy is the one we do not use," said Markell, who earlier this summer signed legislation implementing mandatory consumption reduction targets of 15% by 2015, aggressive new building codes and taking other bold actions promoting energy efficiency. "Increasing our efficiency and conservation has a direct impact on reducing our energy consumption, which is critical for our future prosperity. This funding is a great example of how we can grow our economy and protect our environment at the same time."

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announcing more than $106 million in funding today for nine states, including: Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia. Under the Department of Energy's Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, the state will implement programs that lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and create green jobs locally.

Delaware will use its Recovery Act EECBG funding to reduce fossil fuel emissions, decrease overall energy use, and improve energy efficiency statewide. Funding will be administered by the state's Energy Office, which will use both population-based formulas and a competitive process to award grants to local cities and counties in the state. Delaware's Energy Office will also use EECBG funds to make a variety of energy efficiency upgrades to state facilities, including the replacement of existing electric boilers and cooling tower systems. Overall, the activities funded by today's Recovery Act award will lead to a significant reduction in Delaware's energy use and associated costs, and create or save more than 100 jobs statewide.

Today's awards to State Energy Offices will be used to support state-level energy efficiency priorities, along with funding local conservation projects in smaller cities and counties. At least 60 percent of each state's award will be passed through to local cities and counties not eligible for direct EECBG awards from the Department of Energy. 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.

"This funding will allow states across the country to make major investments in energy solutions that will strengthen America's economy and create jobs at the 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."

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.

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