New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Announces New Mexico to Receive Over $20 Million for Energy Efficiency

Funding part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

March 26, 2009 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today announced that the State of New Mexico will receive over $20 million dollars in energy efficiency and conservation projects for our cities, counties, and Native American tribes. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will provide formula grants for projects that reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency nationwide. Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced plans today to invest $3.2 billion nationwide.

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“Of all the stimulus-related activities, nothing gives a greater return on investment than saving energy – something that can be done in every corner of New Mexico – while creating jobs across the state,” said Governor Bill Richardson. “This has been one of my top priorities and these federal funds will boost our programs and help us continue to grow our economy while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to meet our climate change goals."

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program is authorized under Title V, Subtitle E of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. The program, administered on behalf of the US Department of Energy by New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Energy Conservation and Management Division, provides federal grants to help local governments implement strategies to reduce both fossil fuel emissions and total energy use. The program emphasizes a community-based approach to help meet energy and climate protection goals.

The funding will support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Other activities eligible for use of grant funds include transportation programs that conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, renewable energy installations on government buildings, energy efficient traffic signals and street lights, deployment of combined heat and power and district heating and cooling systems, and others.

New Mexico projects will be solicited through a competitive process (request for applications) issued by the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. Projects will be evaluated and selected based on the criteria from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant guidance provided by the Department of Energy.

To ensure accountability, the Department of Energy will provide guidance and require grant recipients to report on the number of jobs created or retained, energy saved, renewable energy capacity installed, greenhouse gas emissions reduced, and funds leveraged. Funding is based on a formula that accounts for population and energy use.

Source: New Mexico Governor