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Feb. 4, 2010
For More information contact:
Kim Sears, Marketing and Public Relations
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.777.2834
Email: kim.sears@wybusiness.org
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Funds still available for energy efficiency retrofits
CHEYENNE – Federal funds are still available through the Wyoming State Energy Office (SEO) for energy efficiency retrofits on local buildings. Wyoming communities are encouraged to apply.
The SEO has over $2.8 million remaining in federal funds for Wyoming municipalities and counties that did not receive a direct award from the U.S. Department of Energy-administered Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program last year.
In 2009, the DOE made EECBG funding directly available to 10 Wyoming towns and 10 counties, and awarded over $9.5 million to the Energy Office, $5.7 million of which was to be used for Wyoming communities that did not receive a direct award. An initial round of grant awards in January totaled just over $2.9 million, leaving nearly $2.8 million in available funds. All funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
Grant applications for up to $250,000 are now being accepted by the State Energy Office. Applications will be taken on a first-come first-served basis for eligible municipalities and counties until funds are allocated, and assuming all application/program requirements are met. No matching funds from communities are required. Communities that have already applied may submit an additional application for a combined grant total not to exceed $250,000.
“There is still money available through this program and we really encourage communities to apply for a grant,” said Shannon Stanfill, SEO program manager. “This program will help communities save energy, which is a goal of the program, but the real benefit for our municipalities and counties comes in lower utility costs. This is good news when you are faced with a tight operating budget.”
Grant funding may be used to conduct energy efficient street lighting upgrades or building retrofits including: attic/ceiling insulation improvements; the sealing of cracks and/or insulation of foundations; upgrading lighting; insulation and sealing of HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) ductwork; replacement of boilers/furnaces; and the installation of on-demand water heaters and measures to improve the efficiency of HVAC systems including replacement.
Application packets may be downloaded from the “Retrofit” section of the Web site: www.wyomingbusiness.org/economic_stimulus.aspx. Please use the “Part Two” application form. An informational Webinar on “How to Apply” may also be downloaded from the Web site.
Municipalities, counties and other entities not eligible for this round include: City of Casper, City of Cheyenne, City of Evanston, City of Gillette, City of Green River, Town of Jackson, City of Laramie, City of Riverton, City of Rock Springs, City of Sheridan, Campbell County, Carbon County, Converse County, Fremont County, Goshen County, Laramie County, Lincoln County, Natrona County, Park County, Sheridan County, non-profit organizations and joint powers boards.
For questions about the funding and application process please contact Stanfill at 307.777.2841 or Shannon.stanfill@wybusiness.org.
The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit www.wyomingbusiness.org.
The mission of the Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. The Business Council, a state government agency, concentrates its efforts on providing assistance for existing Wyoming companies and start-ups, helping communities meet their development and diversification needs, and recruiting new firms and industries targeted to complement the state’s assets. For more information, please visit www.wyomingbusiness.org.
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