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Friday, March 26, 2010

Cities, Counties Receive Grants for Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy

64 communities receive energy efficiency, conservation block grants

Sixty-four communities in Georgia have earned grant funds for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, which is administered by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA). EECBG funds totaling $13.3 million were available to small-to-medium sized cities and counties through GEFA as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The state’s largest cities and counties received direct EECBG funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.

“Investment in energy efficient infrastructure creates jobs, promotes economic development and increases our citizens’ quality of life,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Financing renewable energy projects encourages good stewardship of our environment.”

“Many local governments throughout Georgia are investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that will directly benefit their communities,” said GEFA Executive Director Phil Foil. “I’m pleased that the EECBG program is helping local governments save energy.”

EECBG funds for local governments were awarded following a competitive application process. Out of 84 applications, GEFA funded 57 projects benefiting 64 communities. General activities receiving EECBG funding include:

· Energy efficiency programs and incentives for residential and commercial sectors:

· Energy efficiency retrofits for local government facilities;

· Energy code compliance and training; and

· Renewable energy installations.

The EECGB funds will help local governments meet the Governor’s Energy Challenge. In April 2008 Governor Sonny Perdue committed Georgia’s state agencies to reduce energy consumption 15 percent and challenged Georgia businesses, local governments and citizens to do the same. Georgia’s population is projected to grow to more than 12 million people by 2030. This growth will significantly impact Georgia’s energy, land and water resources. More information about the Governor’s Energy Challenge is available at www.GovernorsEnergyChallenge.org.

Since the passage of the ARRA in February 2009, GEFA has awarded $185 million in stimulus funds for the following energy efficiency and renewable energy programs:

· $99 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program to weatherize approximately 13,000 low-income homes statewide;

· $63.1 million for 135 energy efficiency projects in state facilities;

· $10 million for 16 renewable energy and energy efficiency (commercial, industrial and residential) projects;

· $4.5 million for 14 solar energy projects through the Clean Energy Property Rebate Program; and

· $8.6 million for the Energy Star Appliance Rebate Program (www.georgiarebate.com).

A list of the EECBG local government projects approved by the GEFA board of directors is below.

Applicant
Project Summary
Funding Awarded
City of Decatur
The city of Decatur will partner with the cities of Chamblee and Dunwoody to offer funding to schools, non-profit organizations, authorities and local government agencies. Activities include the installation of energy efficient lighting and HVAC upgrades, and establishing a revolving loan fund for future energy efficiency projects.
$500,000
City of Kingsland
The Camden Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program is a partnership with the cities of Kingsland, Woodbine and St. Mary's. The program will fund energy efficiency retrofits to local government buildings within each local government and create a revolving loan fund that will provide low interest loans to business and industry for energy efficiency improvements to their buildings.
$500,000
City of Covington*
Revolving loan Fund for residential efficiency. Energy efficiency upgrades to the City Hall/Public Works and Utility Operations Center, including interior and exterior lighting upgrades and replacing existing electric water heaters with a rooftop solar water heater system.
$300,000
City of Sylvester*
Government building energy efficient lighting and HVAC upgrades to include Henry Hall Woolard Community Center, Jeffords Park community building, and the Depot Police Department Courtroom. Establishes a revolving loan fund for commercial buildings.
$297,443
Rockdale County
Energy saving performance contracting on government buildings. Incentives to promote use of
residential energy efficient products and services, which includes training and education.
$300,000

City of Doraville
LED lighting retrofit for five government buildings. Lighting audits for businesses and financial assistance for commercial retrofits.
$300,000

City of Cartersville
Revolving loan Fund for municipal energy efficiency retrofits, energy code training and education for city staff.
$300,000

Chatham County
County building retrofits focused on lighting and HVAC upgrades. The program will redirect 25 percent energy savings to fund 20 new green jobs annually for four years (80 jobs total) for “Project Step Up,” a community-based poverty reduction initiative.
$300,000

City of Woodstock
HVAC upgrade at the City Council Chambers, installation of a small solar project on the Performing Arts Center, LED light replacement at the city park and lighting retrofit at Dupree Park.
$220,000
City of Brunswick
High efficiency lighting, HVAC and building automation control retrofits at multiple municipal buildings. Energy savings will be reinvested back into community energy efficiency and poverty reduction programs.
$300,000

City of Douglas*
Government building energy efficiency upgrades for the Martin Center, City Hall, and the City Airport terminal building.
$293,327

City of Washington
Green Street Communities Program. Provide funding for residential energy efficiency projects.
$254,855

Effingham County*
School lighting retrofits and commercial retrofits.
$300,000

City of Calhoun*
Lighting retrofit at Calhoun High School, revolving loan fund for residential energy efficiency projects, energy code training for city staff.
$297,846

City of Griffin*
Partnership with Griffin Technical College for city building solar installation.
$293,774

Dodge County
Agriculture rebate program for diesel to electric irrigation system conversion $500,000 Bartow County Retrofits of seven government buildings, energy education for city staff.
$246,186

Pulaski County
School and government building solar hot water retrofits, advocacy program for residents, and energy code training.
$129,140

City of Helen
Retrofit waste water treatment facility with energy efficient water pumps, motors and diffusers.
$120,000

City of Tybee Island
Create revolving loan fund for energy efficiency projects geared to residential and community buildings.
$299,677

Floyd County
Energy efficiency retrofits for courthouse and community buildings.
$300,000

City of Gainesville
Replace the gas-fired boiler at the Georgia Mountains Center with an ENERGY STAR efficient boiler, replace two roof-top HVAC units at Community Service Center, proposed HVAC energy efficiency retrofits at the city’s Georgia Mountains Center, traffic division building, maintenance shop, vehicle services building, and the Joint Administration Building; establish a revolving loan fund for future energy efficiency projects from energy savings.
$300,000

City of Darien
Revolving loan fund for energy efficiency projects for residential and commerical buildings, an energy efficiency conservation strategy and the installation of a solar hot water system at the public safety complex.
$200,000

City of LaGrange
Energy efficient lighting retrofits for 11 municipal buildings, and a solar installation at the county landfill.
$140,000

Gordon County
35-acre solar cover on a county-owned abandoned landfill.
$300,000
City of Mountain Park
Weatherization projects for homeowners and renters bringing homes up to compliance with Georgia Energy Code for insulation and HVAC efficiency. A 50 percent subsidy for residents' energy efficiency investment. City Hall to recieve a ground source heat pump and photovoltaic system, with the intent of creating a demonstration/education tool to inspire visitors to pursue similar energy savings techniques.
$300,000

Bulloch County
County building lighting retrofits and building code inspection training for county staff.
$215,413

Morgan County
Building retrofits of city, county, and school system facilities.
$249,208
Union County & Gilmer County
Solar hot water for detention centers in the two counties.
$300,000
City of Folkston
Retrofit the city's waste water treatment plant with energy efficient aerators.
$300,000
City of Tifton
HVAC upgrades at the three historic buildings and provide building operator certification training.
$299,970
Bibb County
Lighting retrofits for three government buildings; the Engineering Office, the W.P. Randall Building and the Public Works Building
$38,115
Ben Hill County
Replace inefficient HVAC units and lighting in six county-owned facilities: the Sheriff’s office, the county jail, the Magistrate Court, the E911 facility, the office of the Superior Court Judge, and the senior center. In addition, the county will send one building maintenance employee to training for building operator certification. Energy savings resulting from the retrofits will be captured and set aside for future retrofits for other public facilities.
$201,244

City of Waycross
Government building retrofits, energy savings will establish a revolving loan fund for future municipal retrofits, building operator certification training for staff.
$250,800

City of Clarkesville
Water treatment plant retrofit.
$247,500
City of Hinesville
Building energy efficiency retrofits and lighting retrofits for the Police Department, Department of Public Works, and water treatment facilities, and building operator certification training for two city staff.
$245,712
City of Young Harris
Solar installations on six government buildings
$238,216

South Fulton (College Park, Hapeville &
Union City)
Government building retrofits, reinvest energy savings.
$350,000
City of Madison
Water treatment plant pump improvements and lighting retrofits
$300,000
City of Perry
Revolving loan fund for commercial and residential energy efficiency projects.
$99,000
City of Hephzibah
Municipal energy efficiency retrofits and energy code training for city staff.
$114,125
City of Flowery Branch
Retrofits at the city's waste water treatment plant.
$204,630
Clay County
Retrofits at eight county building and energy code training.
$173,513
City of Cedartown
Weatherization and HVAC upgrades for publicly owned buildings such as libraries, auditoriums and administrative buildings.
$125,000
Brooks County
Three building retrofits at the County Courthouse, County Administration and Agriculture buildings to include HVAC and insulation upgrades, building operator certification training for one county employee.
$139,187

Bryan County
Building retrofits, primarily HVAC improvements.
$114,400
Jefferson County
Building retrofits and energy code training
$190,758
City of Ashburn
Installation of nine tankless water heaters on municipal buildings.
$27,500
Clinch County
Building retrofits and building operator certification training.
$24,970
Troup County
Energy code training for county employees.
$11,000
City of Lafeyette
Retrofit the city's waste water treatment plant with an energy efficient post-aeration system.
$300,000
City of Cornelia
HVAC and lighting retrofit for fire station.
$44,982
Liberty County
Energy efficiency retrofits for government buildings and energy code training.
$194,100
Elbert County
Energy efficiency retrofit of county building.
$30,000
City of Canton
Energy efficiency upgrades focused on Canton's historic downtown area and municipal buildings.
$99,900
Coweta County
HVAC retrofits at four fire stations.
$265,423
Dawson County
Indoor lighting upgrades with LED lighting technology at government facilities in Dawson and Lumpkin Counties; the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Detention Centers and Dawsonville’s City Hall building. Building operator certification training for county staff.
$313,086
*A Green Street Communities (GSC) program participant. The GSC provides energy audit services and energy efficiency incentives for commercial and residential customers served by city-owned utilities partnered with Electric Cities of Georgia.

About the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (www.gefa.org)

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) provides financial assistance and administers programs that encourage stewardship of the environment and promote economic development statewide. GEFA is the lead state agency for energy planning and alternative fuels; manages the Governor’s Energy Challenge and the Georgia Land Conservation Program; maintains state-owned fuel storage tanks; and offers financing for reservoir and water supply, water quality, storm water and solid waste infrastructure.

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