Friday, September 25, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus announced today that Nevada is receiving the second half of funding this week for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The $17.3 million Nevada will get for the State Energy Program is in addition to the $13.8 million the state received in July.  The other 10 percent of funding was previously available to support planning activities, bringing the total to $34.7 million.  Nevada will also receive $18.6 through the Weatherization Assistance Program for a total of $37.2 million.

“These additional funds from the recovery package will help Nevadans save hundreds of dollars on their energy bills by investing in energy efficiency while providing a jolt to our growing clean energy industry that will create good jobs for Southern Nevada,” Congresswoman Titus said.  “With Nevada’s gaming and tourism industry struggling during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, it is critical that we diversify our economy and focus on developing our renewable energy resources in an effort to put Nevadans back to work.  The money in the Recovery Act will go a long way toward meeting that goal.”

Nevada will use the recovery funds for the creation of a new revolving loan fund, building retrofits, and transportation upgrades among other clean energy initiatives.  The revolving loan fund will support community-scale and utility-scale renewable energy generation, energy efficiency and conservation projects, and energy saving performance contracting throughout the state.  This financial mechanism will create a sustainable program that will provide loans for years to come, helping Nevada promote energy independence while protecting the state’s environment.

Nevada also plans to implement energy efficiency retrofits in state buildings and K-12 schools across the state.  Funds will be invested in LED lighting, lighting control, window performance technologies, and renewable energy technologies to reduce energy costs and consumption in these buildings.  Nevada will also use its funds to create an energy efficient traffic signals and street lights program.  This program forms a partnership among the Nevada State Energy Office, the Nevada Department of Transportation, Regional Transportation Commissions, and the Nevada Department of Public Safety, to install energy-efficient LED traffic signals and street lights throughout the state, giving priority to high accident rate intersections.  This funding will significantly reduce energy consumption and improve safety through greater visibility.  Funding will also be provided for the adoption and implementation of the 2009 Residential and Commercial Building Codes.

The Weatherization Assistance Program allows low-income families to make their homes more energy efficient, reducing heating bills by an average of 32 percent and saving hundreds of dollars per year on energy bills.  By putting that money in the pockets of homeowners, the program helps stimulate economic development and will help support a growing industry that is creating jobs.  Investments of up to $6,500 per home will be available for families making up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $44,000 a year for a family of four.

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Tags: energy, Recovery and Reinvestment Act