Thanks to federal stimulus money, the State Energy Program will receive $21 million this year to pursue energy efficiency and conservation. Most of the funding will be distributed through the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF).
An additional $9 million will come to the state through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program for a variety of efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. Approximately $9.5 million will come through the state, and the rest directly to Vermont cities and towns. Of this $9.5 million, 40% ($3.8 million) is allocated by the DOE to the State Energy Program and 60% ($5.7 million) is allocated to cities and towns not receiving a direct allocation from DOE. We anticipate this will be awarded through an upcoming competitive application process. The Department of Public Service plans to submit an application to the DOE for the funds coming to the state on or before the deadline of June 25, 2009. Some of the money has been directly allocated by DOE to the ten highest-population towns. In Rutland County, the City of Rutland was allocated $78,900.
The ten Regional Planning Commissions in Vermont will each receive $80,000 for energy issues through EECBG. The funding is very broad; eligible activities include everything from developing pedestrian paths to updating energy plans to weatherizing government buildings. More information is available at www.recovery.vermont.gov/energy.
The Rutland Regional Planning Commission will hold a special meeting of its Energy Committee to discuss plans for the money on July 21, 2009 at 6:00 pm in the second floor conference room of the Asa Bloomer Building in Rutland City. Contact Sara Gilbert at sgilbert@rutlandrpc.org or (802) 775-0871 extension 205 for more information.
For a full explanation of all energy-related stimulus funding, click here (PDF).
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