County Executive Falk: Dane County to Receive $2.26 Million Energy Efficiency Grant Under Federal Stimulus

March 26, 2009
Joshua Wescott, 267-8823 or 669-5606

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk today announced that the federal Department of Energy has notified Dane County that it will receive a $2,267,000 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. This block grant is funded as part of President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It can be used to fund a variety of local government projects to improve energy efficiency. Examples include, but are not limited to, improving public facilities, reduction or use of greenhouse gases (such as methane), or creating financial incentives for private sector energy conservation. Falk said: “I will work with citizens and the County board to use these funds to achieve three goals: 1. Creating jobs 2. Saving taxpayer dollars 3. Saving energy Compared to cities, counties did not receive many guaranteed funds in the stimulus package. We need to spend these prudently with very clear and important benefits.” The block grant is governed by requirements to report on energy saved or generated, jobs created, greenhouse gas emissions reduced, and other funds leveraged by grant. Falk concluded: “Dane County has always worked to conserve energy or create energy in a green, sustainable fashion. In this year also, we are implementing or funded at least a dozen such projects across County government and that doesn’t include ongoing projects like the conversion of methane into electricity at the Landfill. These funds will bolster our efforts and help us create some good jobs.” # # #