Cummings Welcomes Important Funds For Energy Reduction

Cummings Welcomes Important Funds For Energy Reduction

Full funding from Obama Administration will support energy efficiency and renewables development.

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Elijah E. Cummings welcomed the announcement by U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today, announcing that Maryland has received all State Energy Program funding allocated to the state under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

Cummings was also pleased to hear that an additional $25 million was awarded to the state, which has now received a total of $51 million through the State Energy Program. This program will support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across the state, while creating jobs and reducing carbon pollution.

“This money will have two critical functions,” said Congressman Cummings. “It will not only help continue the revolution in American energy independence here in Maryland, but it will also provide the high-paying American jobs that are so critical to our economic recovery.”

Secretary Chu said that the funding will allow states to create innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, creating jobs in communities across the country while reducing carbon pollution and shifting how America uses energy.

Maryland will use Recovery Act SEP funding to encourage clean and efficient energy use in the transportation, residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The state will also create a variety of initiatives designed to boost consumer awareness, increase the availability of alternative fuels, and facilitate the deployment of hybrid-electric and all-electric vehicles.

Maryland will make grants in support of cost-effective and environmentally responsible building retrofits, for low- and middle-income Maryland homes. In addition, public-financing programs such as the EmPOWERing Financing (EF) Initiative will enable property owners to leverage private capital in order to implement efficiency improvements.

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