Governor Doyle Announces $11.7 Million to Improve Energy Efficiency in Communities

For Immediate Release: September 17, 2009
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

Applications for Funds Now Available

MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Wisconsin has received $11.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to help communities make energy efficiency improvements. Applications for funding through the EECBG program are now available to non-entitlement communities, Wisconsin communities that do not receive direct federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy which administers the EECBG Program.

"Wisconsin has the resources and skills to lead the nation in clean energy, and this major investment will make significant progress toward my goal of getting 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of our transportation fuels from renewable sources by 2025, " Governor Doyle said. "By accessing EECBG funds, Wisconsin communities can become more energy-efficient, reduce green house gas emissions, and help create green jobs all across the state."

The Office of Energy Independence (OEI) and the Department of Commerce (Commerce) are collaborating to administer grant awards to non-entitlement counties, cities, villages and towns. These grant awards can be used for retro-fitting municipal buildings to make them more energy efficient and for installing interior and exterior energy-efficient lighting technologies. The maximum award per community is $225,000.

Applications are now available at http://commerce.wi.gov/CD/cd-bcf-energy.html. Application deadline is November 12, 2009. Commerce will also host a webinar September 28, 2009. For more information, contact Jason Scott, Commerce, jason.scott@wisconsin.gov or 608-261-7714, or Brian Driscoll, OEI, brian.driscoll@wisconsin.gov or 608-261-8146.

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