by: JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Thursday, March 26, 2009
WASHINGTON
– The Obama administration announced an additional $27 million Thursday
to fund energy efficiency improvements in Oklahoma, including $3.8
million for the city of Tulsa.
"These investments will save taxpayer dollars and create jobs in communities around the country,” Vice President Joe Biden said.
"Local leaders will have the flexibility in how they put these
resources to work, but we will hold them accountable for making the
investments quickly and wisely to spur the local economy and cut energy
use."
Funded by the stimulus package, the money is to provide
formula grants for projects that reduce total energy use and fossil
fuel emissions as well as improve energy efficiency.
According to the announcement, the funds can be used to
support audits and energy efficiency retrofits in both residential and
commercial buildings and to create financial incentives for energy
efficiency improvements.
Other eligible activities include transportation programs that
conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture methane and other
greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, renewable energy installations
on government buildings, energy efficient traffic signals and street
lights.
"The block grants are a major investment in energy solutions
that will strengthen America’s economy and create jobs at the local
level,” U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said.
"The funding will be used for the cheapest, cleanest and most
reliable energy technologies we have – energy efficiency and
conservation – which can be deployed immediately. The grants also
empower local communities to make strategic investments to meet the
nation’s long term clean energy and climate goals.”
Tulsa County qualified for $554,300.
A number of Oklahoma tribes also will receive funding with the largest
grants going to the Cherokee Nation, $3.2 million; Muscogee (Creek)
Nation, $2.2 million; and Choctaw Nation, $1.2 million; and Chickasaw
Nation, $1 million.
Covering $3.2 billion nationwide, the announcement builds on
the $107 million for Oklahoma weatherization and energy funding
revealed earlier this month.
Posted on
Thu, March 26, 2009
by Crystal Drwenski