WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded nearly $4 million to 13 states to increase statewide energy savings and boost the energy efficiency of public institutions, local governments, and industrial sectors.

“Smart, cost-effective investments in energy efficiency are helping communities across the country cut energy waste and foster economic growth,” said Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Danielson. “Through the State Energy Program, states and local governments are leading by example — saving taxpayer dollars and curbing the effects of carbon pollution.”

The competitively-awarded State Energy Program projects include three areas:

• Advancing Industrial Energy Efficiency — DOE will invest approximately $751,000 to help Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin address specific policy, regulatory, or market barriers to greater investment in energy efficiency and combined heat and power (CHP) technologies. CHP technology captures and reuses heat created during electricity production, boosting overall building efficiency.

• Supporting Energy Efficiency Action in States — DOE will invest $1 million to assist Arkansas and Mississippi in generating the necessary policy and program frameworks to encourage cost-effective energy efficiency investments and establish or increase statewide energy-savings goals.

• Retrofitting Public Buildings — DOE will invest about $2 million to help Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin to retrofit public housing as well as local government and state facilities. These state-led projects will use performance contracting and other financing tools to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings, including upgrading heating and cooling systems and installing low-wattage LED lighting.

The State Energy Program provides financial and technical assistance to states and territories through formula and competitive grants. As the administrator for energy-saving programs, states use the grants to address energy priorities, advance technology deployment, access partnerships and resources, and coordinate energy-related emergency preparedness.

Publication date: 12/9/2013

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