$ 21.7 M stimulus fund goes to Minnesota green projects

Minnesota will receive $21.7 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, it was reported last Wednesday (June 24).

Minnesota will receive $21.7 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal reported last Wednesday (June 24). The grant is part of the $204 million-plus stimulus fund released to ten other states.

Small, medium, and large businesses dealing with energy efficiency improvements and retrofitting will be Minnesota’s focus. Utilities developing programs on energy efficiency will also be supported by the grant. Low-interest loans and grants may be given to utility customers.

“This funding will provide an important boost for state economies, help to put Americans back to work and move us toward energy independence,” said US Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu. "It reflects our commitment to support innovative state and local strategies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy while insisting that taxpayer dollars be spent responsibly."

An additional $27 million will be received by Minnesota should it successfully implement its plan, according to the Business Journal.

A total of $3.1 billion nationwide had earlier been allotted by the ARRA for state energy programs, with emphasis on projects that will modernize the electric grid. Secretary Chu had announced the DOE’s solicitation of applications for the fund.


-  Jen Balboa

Sources:

¹ http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2009/06/22/daily28.html
² http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/On-Day-Three-of-Clean-Energy...