Stimulus funds aimed at boosting state economy and energy independence
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today announced that Arizona will receive $22.2 million in economic recovery funds to expand the use of solar and other sources of renewable energy.
“The smartest long-term investments we can make are in initiatives that promote job growth and advance the use of clean, renewable energy,” said Giffords. “The funds announced today will help us achieve these goals.”
Released through the Department of Energy, the funds are part of nearly $174 million in stimulus support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in eight states – Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington.
Each state has developed a plan to prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In Arizona, the funds will be used to establish a revolving loan program to provide a sustainable financing mechanism for small business owners who want to finance energy efficient building improvements or install solar projects.
The $22.2 million headed to Arizona represents 40 percent of the energy funds the state will receive. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, Arizona will receive an additional $27 million, for a total of $55 million.
“This funding will provide an important boost for state economies, help to put Americans back to work, and move us toward energy independence,” said U.S. Department of Energy 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.”
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Department of Energy expanded the types of activities eligible for State Energy Program funding, which include energy audits, building retrofits, education and training efforts, transportation programs to increase the use of alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles, and new financing mechanisms to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriated $3.1 billion to the State Energy Program to help achieve national energy independence goals and promote local economic recovery. States use these grants at the state and local levels to create green jobs, address state energy priorities, and adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.