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PINE BLUFF TO RECEIVE HALF-MILLION FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS

By Wes Clement/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, March 27, 2009 10:32 PM CDT

The city of Pine Bluff looks to receive just over $500,000 in stimulus funding to be used for energy efficiency and conservation projects.

More than $20 million will be distributed among Arkansas cities and the state energy office through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. The funds were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will provide formula grants for projects that reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions and improve energy efficiency statewide.

The funding, which includes $502,000 for the city of Pine Bluff, was announced Friday by U.S. Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Reps. Mike Ross, Marion Berry and Vic Snyder.

“Making our country more energy independent is both a national security and economic issue,” said Ross, Arkansas’ 4th District congressman. “We must reduce our dependence on foreign oil by making our nation more energy efficient and by investing in alternative and renewable sources of energy.”

Using Department of Energy guidelines, the city will have the freedom to choose how the money is utilized. The funding may be used on energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements.

Other eligible uses 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 and energy efficient traffic signals and street lights.

“Reducing our dependence on foreign oil and investing in green energy projects is critical to making our nation stronger,” Lincoln said. “With these funds, Arkansas will be able to play a significant role in transitioning to a new energy economy.”

Pryor said that investments in energy efficient technologies will save Arkansans money and create new green collar jobs.

“These funds are another example of how the economic recovery package will help us regain our economic footing and pave the way forward for long-term growth and sustainability.”

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