The US Department of Energy (DOE) has released $22.2 million of stimulus funding to Arizona for the state’s energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, Rep. Harry Mitchell announced last Wednesday (June 24).

A revolving loan program will be established by Arizona with the fund. The program will aid small businesses in need of energy-efficient building improvements or solar installations. Plans for the program were submitted to and approved by the DOE prior to the fund’s release. Forty percent of Arizona’s allotment of energy funds is represented by the stimulus allocation.

Arizona was initially granted around $5 million of its funding for planning activities. The new $22.2 million granted to the state represents a first wave of funding for implementation. An additional $27 million will be given to the state should it successfully implement its programs – giving the state a possible total funding of $55 million.

Arizona is among 10 states that received the funding through the State Energy Program. The other nine states granted funding were: Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington.

"This funding will provide important opportunities for our small business owners to begin investing in solar thereby making their businesses more energy efficient and save money in the long run. Utilizing renewable energy sources, such as solar, will help reduce our dependence on oil and reduce our carbon footprint. In addition to the long-term economic and environmental impact on our state, this funding will also help create jobs in Arizona now," said Mitchell.

Last April, Mitchell visited local businesses in Arizona to identify those that produce green-collar jobs and promote clean energy. Said businesses requested for funding from the stimulus package.


-  Jen Balboa

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Source:

¹ http://mitchell.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=481&Itemid=80