Sen. Burris: Recovery Act Funding to Illinois for Industrial Energy Efficiency Projects

November 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senator Roland W. Burris today announced that American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Department of Energy have been allocated to Illinois to fund industrial energy efficiency technologies.

The funds will be directed as follows:

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· $500,000 for the Illinois State Energy Office: The funds will create energy efficiency partnerships between the Department of Energy, participating states, utilities, the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), industrial trade groups, and others to increase the number of Midwest industrial companies implementing energy assessment activities at their facilities and committing to the resulting energy-related capital investments. The initiatives will put to use program and technical resources from the DOE's Save Energy Now program, along with ongoing state and regional resources.

· $136,000 for Bradley University in Peoria, IL: The funds will provide eligible small and medium-sized manufacturers with no-cost energy assessments and serve as training for the next generation of energy efficiency engineers.

Senator Burris and the Democratic-led Congress passed the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act that was signed into law by President Obama in February.

“I am pleased that vital Recovery Act funds are being directed to industrial energy efficiency projects right here in Illinois.” said Senator Burris. “These funds will assist in providing support for American industry, moving towards a clean energy economy, and decreasing the detrimental effects of carbon pollution across the country.”

Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is awarding more than $155 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for 41 industrial energy efficiency projects across the country. These awards include funding for industrial combined heat and power systems, district energy systems for industrial facilities, and grants to support technical and financial assistance to local industry. The industrial sector uses more than 30 percent of U.S. energy and is responsible for nearly 30 percent of U.S. carbon emissions.

Source: Senator Roland W. Burris