Moore Announces West Allis To Receive First Installment Of Energy Efficiency Grants

Press Release

Moore Announces West Allis To Receive First Installment Of Energy Efficiency Grants

(Washington, DC)— Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) announced that the city of West Allis will today receive the first $100,000 of $576,200 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) that it has been obligated under the Recovery Act. These program funds are intended to help communities improve their energy efficiency, reduce their energy use and fossil fuel emissions and create green jobs locally. Rep. Moore helped pass the Economic Recovery Act in February to create jobs, bolster the country's infrastructure and improve the health of the economy.

"West Allis will now be able to get the ball rolling on making the energy improvements to local homes, businesses and public buildings that will help save all of us money -- especially as colder temperatures set in," Congresswoman Moore said. "Because of these Recovery Act funds, West Allis residents can look forward to upgrades that will ensure their homes are not ‘leaking' energy through the windows, doors, and faulty insulation. And, the city can look forward to measures that will help West Allis stay green -- like energy efficient streetlights and bike lanes."

According to Paul Ziehler, City Administrative Officer of West Allis, the first $100,000 will be used to lay out a detailed plan as to how the city will execute its energy efficiency activities. For residents, the city is considering how it will examine homes to determine if there are any energy leaks in the windows, doors and insulation. West Allis will then be able to offer some financial assistance to making the necessary repairs.

The city is also looking at installing energy-efficient streetlights, acquiring energy efficient vehicles for the city of West Allis, installing solar panels on certain public buildings, constructing bike lanes, and carrying out interior improvements that will make public buildings more energy efficient. West Allis is also considering making energy retrofits available for commercial and industrial businesses that are currently operating with inefficient energy consumption units. Making replacements where they are necessary would help make these business operations more efficient.

"We are developing a comprehensive energy efficiency and assistance plan that will aide residential owners and business owners in the city, as well as deal with our public infrastructure," Ziehler said.

On March 27, 2009, Congresswoman Moore first announced that the City of West Allis would receive a total of $576,200 in energy efficiency and conservation grants. The City of Milwaukee will also receive a total of $5.8 million in energy efficiency grants, and Milwaukee County will receive $733,000.

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