The Houston Chronicle reports that Texas is one of four states to win a national competition for grants designed to stimulate energy efficiency action at the local level.
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the grants today as part of $28.5 million awarded to 12 states and territories to support various energy efficiency projects.
The Obama administration said the projects — awarded through a competitive selection — “will lower energy bills for American families and businesses, boost job growth, and increase investment in companies that deliver energy-saving technologies.”
The state of Texas received $500,000 “to develop local policy and program delivery frameworks that stimulate investment in cost-effective, long-term energy efficiency improvements.” The money will be funneled to municipal and electric cooperative utilities that do not have state-regulated energy efficiency policies and programs in place.
Other states receiving similar grants were Alaska, Kentucky and Mississippi. Puerto Rico also was a winner in the competition.
“These state initiatives will spur the economy and create jobs across the country by making targeted investments in the growing energy efficiency market and using smarter policies to engage the private sector,” said Secretary Chu. “The projects will demonstrate the high rate of return on energy-saving improvements to homes and businesses, achieve significant long-term benefits for local communities, and act as a model for future public-private energy efficiency partnerships.”
Click here to see the projects selected for the award.
