Energy Department Awards 38 States $26.5 Million to Fund State Energy Efficiency Priorities

Jul 05, 2005 -- ENERGY DEPARTMENT DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS/ContentWorks

Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is providing 38 states with $26.5 million in State Energy Program (SEP) grants for Fiscal Year 2005. This is part of $44 million to be distributed to the fifty states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories in this fiscal year. SEP grants support and encourage state energy-saving and efficiency goals.

"These grants will help states improve energy efficiency in ways that meet their individual needs," said Secretary Bodman. "Increasing America's energy efficiency is a key component of President Bush's national energy policy."

State energy program funds have supported projects such as California's "Energy Saving Traffic Lights;" Illinois' Small Business $mart Energy Program; Indiana's purchase of two compressed natural gas street sweepers; and Kentucky's biodiesel infrastructureprogram, connecting biodiesel customers with biodiesel distributors across the state. SEP projects are managed by state energy offices with support from DOE's six regional energy efficiency and renewable energy offices.

Every $1 invested by SEP is matched by $3.54 by state and local governments and the private sector, and saves the American people $7.23. The State Energy Program saves an average 41.35 million British thermal units (Btu) per year, reducing energy bills by $256 million. DOE is distributing a total of $44 million in SEP grants this year to every state and U.S. territory, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A listing of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy state activities and partnerships, many of which are partially funded by SEP grants, can be found at: www.eere.energy.gov/states/.

State

FY 2005 Formula Distribution

Alaska

$351,000

Arizona

$659,000

California

$2,953,000

Colorado

$685,000

Connecticut

$634,000

Delaware

$310,000

Hawaii

$324,000

Idaho

$361,000

Indiana

$1,048,000

Kansas

$560,000

Kentucky

$726,000

Louisiana

$872,000

Maine

$400,000

Maryland

$802,000

Minnesota

$911,000

Mississippi

$524,000

Missouri

$863,000

Montana

$335,000

Nebraska

$432,000

Nevada

$394,000

New Hampshire

$374,000

New Mexico

$412,000

New York

$2,404,000

North Carolina

$1,016,000

North Dakota

$321,000

Oklahoma

$633,000

Oregon

$577,000

Rhode Island

$346,000

South Carolina

$636,000

South Dakota

$310,000

Utah

$448,000

Vermont

$305,000

Virginia

$983,000

Washington

$806,000

Wisconsin

$947,000

Wyoming

$304,000

Media contact:

Chris Kielich, 202/586-5806

Number: R-05-187

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