$6.4 Million In ARRA Grants For Washington Energy Efficiency Projects

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November 17, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded $6.4 million in competitive Recovery Act grants to 43 applicants in small cities and counties for energy efficiency and conservation projects. Projects include energy audits and building retrofits, as well as energy efficient traffic signals and street lighting.

The funding is targeted to reduce fossil fuel emissions and help communities be more environmentally sustainable through reduced energy usage and improved energy efficiency in the building and transportation sectors. The work is also expected to save or create more than 100 jobs.

“This funding is a huge win for Washington state,” Gregoire said. “It puts people to work while advancing our state’s environmental goals. These projects will ensure energy efficiency, which will lead to large cost savings for our smaller communities.”

The Department of Commerce received 83 requests for a total of $11.5 million in energy efficiency and conservation block grant requests.

“Washington state is a national leader in energy efficiency” said Rogers Weed, director of the Department of Commerce. “This funding will help deliver important opportunities for immediate and long-term energy cost savings and jobs in many more small communities throughout the state.”

Cities with a population of less than 35,000, counties with a population of less than 200,000, and federally-recognized tribes were eligible to compete for the grants. To see the list of energy efficiency and conservation projects selected visit: http://www.commerce.wa.gov/Portals/_CTED/Documents/EECBG_newsReleaseAWAR...

Commerce is administering more than $200 million in Recovery Act funding. For more information, visit http://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/1164/default.aspx. For more information about the Department of Commerce, visit www.commerce.wa.gov.

Source: Washington Governor